Summary:
Jack de Belin, the Dragons' longest-serving current player, is set to leave the club at the end of the 2025 season to join the Parramatta Eels. The 34-year-old has agreed to a deal for 2026, with Parramatta holding an option for 2027. The contract is currently in the NRL’s 10-day cooling-off period.
De Belin, who has played 242 games, was close to becoming the most-capped Dragon in history. Despite being in talks for another contract extension, he will now reunite with former teammate Zac Lomax at the Eels. A mid-season switch before June 30 is unlikely due to the Dragons’ lack of forward depth.
A consistent performer, De Belin played every game last season and has not missed one this year. He is the last Dragons player remaining from the Wayne Bennett era.
His departure comes amid a broader roster overhaul at the Dragons. Tyrell Sloan, Blake Lawrie, and Mikaele Ravalawa may also leave, while several forwards, including David Klemmer and Michael Molo, are off-contract.
Replies
The timing of the announcement is interesting with us playing saints this week. It is a massive F U to Flanagan and the club to let it be announced now.
There is week left for mid season transfers and I wouldn't be surprised if he will is a late withdrawal for saints and he arrives next week. Despite saints struggling for forward depth they would be pissed off with this announcement due to the timing. I wouldn't be surprised if talks are happening right now about a swap with someone.
Imagine it was an eels player and it was announced a few days before we played the club that a player signed with.
Dom Young did it last week.....shit happens, I agree on one thing, I would like to see him with us for the rest of the year. I would like to give junior a rest for 1 or 2 games over the balance of the year with the appropriate replacement.
Such a process may keep Junior with us for a season or 2 longer.
Did the dragons make him an offer. I get the feeling Perhaps they couldn't give two hoots.
1 year deal apparently, we at least have a second year there if he performs.
That's actually very interesting LB. Is this a signing then that we competed with another club and won a signing. I just fell off my chair just a little.
I guess you could? I mean we offered him the same just with a chance of 2027 if he performs. I reckon De Belin has wanted out for a while, he nearly went to Souths last year i believe.
I think you will find the De Bellen signing comes from the Ryles relationship with St George.
I could not imagine him be sought after in a deliberate sense. More like have a beer with his mate, mentioning how shit Saints are and tossing up retirement and Ryles saying, come over with me, we could use you to coach a bit of discipline into our young forwards. He will probably pay him out of this years money as well.
I hope he does come across post 30/6 but I suspect Flanagan will not allow it, unless there is some shit there?
He's besties with Lomax, who was at every court appearance to support JDB., At least Zac won't have to drive to training alone with the coach everyday now.
Pretty sure he will be an eel after the game this week
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSkEx5aW6/
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