{"id":354607,"date":"2023-12-20T01:57:33","date_gmt":"2023-12-20T02:57:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=354607"},"modified":"2023-12-20T04:02:15","modified_gmt":"2023-12-20T04:02:15","slug":"who-flanagan-could-hunt-after-brutal-big-money-snubs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=354607","title":{"rendered":"Who Flanagan could hunt after brutal big-money snubs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The arrival of Shane Flanagan<\/a> at the Dragons was supposed to breathe new life into one of the NRL's sleeping giants – but the club's latest blunder has left the coach red-faced.<\/p>\n

The premiership-winning mentor officially joined St George Illawarra on a multi-year agreement last month, taking over from Anthony Griffin and Ryan Carr in a bid to turn the club's on-field fortunes around.<\/p>\n

His first piece of business – convincing halfback and captain Ben Hunt to remain in the red and white – ended with a popular decision from the Queensland representative, who is now expected to see out the remainder of his contract with the Red V.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> How Luai success hinges on Tigers teammate<\/strong><\/a>\ufeff<\/strong><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Why CA banned Johnson from speaking at Perth Test<\/strong><\/a>\ufeff<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Bomber to 'keep pushing' over ground commitment<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

However, things haven't gone as smoothly on the recruitment \ufefffront for Flanagan, who had been rather public in his bid to lure both Addin Fonua-Blake<\/a> and Tom Dearden<\/a> to a side which hasn't featured in the finals since 2018.<\/p>\n

\"SYDNEY,<\/p>\n

All signs pointed to Fonua-Blake returning to the club on a four-year deal, but the Dragons were toppled at the 11th hour by local rivals Cronulla,<\/a> who officially announced the signing of the Tongan international on Tuesday afternoon.<\/p>\n

Hours prior to the bombshell decision, Dearden also knocked back the Saints and opted to remain at the Cowboys, putting pen to paper on a five year contract extension.<\/p>\n

The news of both Fonua-Blake and Dearden's decision came as the NRL issued a breach notice to young gun Junior Amone<\/a>, who is expected to have his contract deregistered.<\/p>\n

Joseph Manu was another name Flanagan touted as a potential signing, but all signs point to the Kiwi international re-upping with the Sydney Roosters for 2025 and beyond.\ufeff<\/p>\n

\"Addin<\/p>\n

On top of the issues this week, Flanagan has also failed to attract stars in the short-term, with their list of recruits for next year headlined by depth and reserve grade signings in Corey Allan, Tom Eisenhuth and his own son, Kyle.<\/p>\n

While all hope isn't lost just yet with plenty of quality players remaining unsigned beyond 2024, it's no secret\ufeff the Dragons and Flanagan are now entering desperation mode.<\/p>\n

With Fonua-Blake and Dearden now officially locked in with rival clubs, here's a list of players the Dragons can still target for 2025 and beyond. \ufeff<\/p>\n

\ufeffBraden Hamlin-Uele<\/h3>\n

All is fair in love and war, right?<\/p>\n

After the late swoop from Cronulla to snatch Fonua-Blake from a likely return to the Dragons, it could leave one of the current props in the Shire with an uncertain future – especially given the recent extension of current partner Toby Rudolf.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Braden Hamlin-Uele is by no means on the same level as Fonua-Blake, but potentially moving across the Tom Uglys Bridge could allow him to become the forward leader and maintain a permanent starting role in the NRL.<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old is in the prime of his career and would bring a wealth of experience, while also adding much needed size and punch for the Dragons.<\/p>\n

Hamlin-Uele remains without a deal beyond next year and could come at a good price for St George Illawarra, which clearly has space in their salary cap given their estimated $4.5 million bid to sign Fonua-Blake.<\/p>\n

Luke Metcalf<\/h3>\n

The other key issue Flanagan clearly needs to address is the five-eighth role, with the previously-mentioned Amone expected to be axed from the league and promising young gun Jayden Sullivan moving to the Tigers on a long-term deal.<\/p>\n

After missing out on Dearden and the likely extension of Ezra Mam at the Broncos\ufeff – as well as Jarome Luai's expected move to Concord – there are now a lack of genuine stars in the No.6 jumper off-contract at the conclusion of next season.<\/p>\n

\"Luke<\/p>\n

The one name that could shore up some shortcomings in Wollongong is the fleet-footed Luke Metcalf, who could find it difficult to lock down a permanent starting spot at the Warriors long-term with the return of Chanel Harris-Tavita, the experience of Te Maire Martin and the impending emergence of Ronald Volkman. \ufeff<\/p>\n

The 24-year-old played a dozen games for the Auckland-based franchise this past season, crossing for six tries and making six linebreaks, impressing plenty across the NRL after struggling for game time during his previous stint at Cronulla.<\/p>\n

The one thing the Dragons are lacking in their backline is genuine pace and Metcalf has that in spades, making him an extremely enticing opiton. \ufeff<\/p>\n

Heilum Luki<\/h3>\n

One player the Dragons have been heavily linked with is future Origin back-rower Heilum Luki, who has shown glimpses of his enormous potential despite a horror injury run.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\ufeffThe 22-year-old has X-factor that few in his position possess, while also having the size and raw power that Flanagan could mold into a superstar.<\/p>\n

Luki has an option in his favour for 2025 to remain in North Queensland but is yet to re-sign with the club, allowing the Red V to negotiate \ufeffwith the talented edge forward.<\/p>\n

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki<\/h3>\n

Another exciting boom second-rower from the Cowboys that the club has sounded out is rookie Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, who burst onto the scene in 2023 and looks destined for a bright future in the top grade.<\/p>\n

\"Kulikefu<\/p>\n

Still only 19 years of age, the Auckland-born product made four linebreaks and scored two tries in just 12 matches in his debut season, with his coach Todd Payten heaping plenty of praise on the young gun.<\/p>\n

Finefeuiaki is expected to be offered upwards of $500,000 should he opt to test the open market, with the Dragons and Dolphins both in the mix to acquire his services.<\/p>\n

Terrell May<\/h3>\n

\ufeffIf the Dragons are able to lure more than one NRL-calibre prop, Terrell May is certainly one that Flanagan should be keeping an eye on.<\/p>\n

\"Terrell<\/p>\n

The 24-year-old emerged as a key cog in the wheel for the Roosters last season, averaging 100 run metres per game, as well as popping 18 offloads throughout the course of his 17 appearances.<\/p>\n

May is off-contract at the end of next season and with the Tricolours adding premiership-winning enforcer Spencer Leniu to their roster, he could be looking for a fresh start and an increased role in 2025 at a rival team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The arrival of Shane Flanagan at the Dragons was supposed to breathe new life into one of the NRL's sleeping giants – but the club's […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":304253,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354607"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=354607"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354607\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":354614,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354607\/revisions\/354614"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/304253"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=354607"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=354607"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=354607"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}