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
Agree with Coryn! I see no reason for junior to retire.....the only people to write him off have been the gooses on here. Junior was playing much better than the sychophants demonstrated in last years disaster.
Finally I think Junior needs to be,game managed better and I think that De Bellen fits that mould. He busted himself in that game against the Titans, watching him he will more than likely be quiet this upcoming week. Most certainly the Bye will help in the following week.
The rumour was his body is letting him down. But he looks fit and i saw him on Sunday night and mentioned how thin he looks. He has been playing well just wondering about that rumour.
It may well have been and is the reason he probably dropped at least 10 kegs and this will help his longevity.Less strain on the joints.
Yep JDB cannot replace what Paulo does on the field. He brings the leadership but they are different players. Really hope Paulo stays next year.
Surely he comes over this year after the Dragons game. Have a big feeling this wouldnt have been a done deal unless Parra could secure his services now. Very silimar to Walker deal. JDB was a very handy lock and there were stories during the dragons poor run of form afew years back when he was dropped to reserves, that JDB was playing a 6 role agaist the full strength Dragons side and wining in their scrimmages. I think Ryles plan is starting to become evident, and its why Junior won out over RCG. Ryles is looking for athletic ball players across the park. I dont mind the signing, especially if it gets over the line before the June 30 deadline.
Well it would makes sense releasing Cartwright when we did.
Also in terms of Paulo winning out over RCG, his contract being more expensive and longer would have been the main reason to keeping him since he would have been harder to offload without paying a big freight.
I was thinking similar. JDB has played a bit in a ball distribution role just like Dylan Walker is being used at present. Is it possible that Ryles wants to use both Walker & JDB to take the pressure off a young 6 like Joash in 2026? Or could he even be thinking of playing Walker at six for a season, replaced off the bench by JDB?
If this is the case Papalli can't be our 6 going foward he should be wanting and embracing the role and secondly Jnr Paulo already has the ball playing prop/pivot/part time first reciever role inside the attack zone.
The benefit JDB brings is on the defensive side chiefs stat attack bares this out forget what JDB does with the ball it's without it is what the key is.
👍👍
My first thoughts were WTF though after reading his stats for this year I'm starting to come around to the idea Hopefully he'll plug the holes in our middle defence that have opened up lately It's a yay from me
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