St George Illawarra have landed a huge recruitment scalp by securing Australian star Keaon Koloamatangi to a long term near $5 million deal.
It is understood that Koloamatangi has told the Dragons he will join the club from 2027 on a five year deal. The contract is now in the cooling off period.
It is a clear circuit breaker for the Dragons who were in the market for a marquee player.
Koloamatangi’s current club South Sydney wanted to secure him as did Parramatta.
The Dragons though look set to land the prized recruit after gazumping the Eels and Rabbitohs with a monster five year deal
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Replies
Poppa it is more so the fact we go for players and get half of them, if they are chased by other clubs our odds drop massively. Look at our 3 signings for this year. JBD who was told by saints he wasn't wanted and we gave him a deal. Pezet who is having a development stop over til he goes to a prestige club as we keep him warm for them and Kelly who was told not wanted by the Titans and only other option was SL.
Wests Tigers were the worst roster for 3 years and still managed to get Koroisau, Luai, May brothers, Turuva and Fainu brothers who were sought after. Granted haven't had much success but they are looking ok if board issues settle down.
I would not be surprised if Wests offered the same as us and it was just us two for Keaon he would choose Wests. That's pathetic.
But as you also say just have to get up and continue on, the fact Ryles did what he did with the lot we had last year was impressive.
Richardson is not perfect but gets results.
Well love how the talk is the kids are the future, our next 6 is a junior in 2027 and that's what we are going towards. Yet we went hard for Galvin, those two halves we are developing were still here when we went for Galvin, so what changed? The realisation we can't get anyone? So let's save face by putting wool over the faces of fans, the board, media and everyone that this was the plan all along.
Bingo.
The media need put but the blow torch on Jim Sarantonis and Mark O'Neil and do a investigation as to why they are still in their positions considering their many stuff ups and how they have added very little to the club.
5 years is too long fong. Its a desperate move by the dragons that not even Bennett would go near, not saying mon is safe though.
I wouldn't be complaining if the club swapped him for Shane Richardson
The 5 years means zero chief , when you are a shit club like the eels and dragons you have to pay overs or give a extra year to get certain players. The dragons have shown that they had a big name target and got him , so now other players will take a bit of notice of the dragons and maybe be attracted to go there.
Parramatta on the other will be seen by the footy world and other players as a club who desperately tried to lure a rep player and failed yet again and the club's reputation has taken another big hit . If Parramatta payed what us fans called overs for KK and got him what we think would mean zero , all that would of mattered was that the club had a big name target and got him and this would of helped the club restore it's reputation a bit .
I honestly thought Parramatta would of got him and payed whatever was needed just to stop damaging the club's reputation of always failing to get their target . Parramatta would of been in a much better position if they payed overs for him and showing that they can target a rep player and get him than the position they are in now .
I understand the opportunity that a key signing like Kolomatagi could attract other key players.
The most successful club in the 2020s Panthers couldn't attract or didn’t want to spend huge dollars on external signings so it can be done. The only big names they signed leading up to their premierships were Api Corisau and James Tamau.
Now Taumau was pretty much at the back end so he didn't cost much, and Corisau they would have gotten for around 700k in a super key position. Also they bought kurt Capewell hardly a big name, but another player who could do a job.
Are we in the same position the panthers were with our jnrs, well we did very well in Cup and under 20s, and many good judges are saying there's a few stars in the making coming through.
I know the Panthers also had Gus, but he didn't buy many superstar players.
I think this year is a huge year for our development to make a statement . I think our spine could be pretty much set up with Joash batteling it out with Fletcher to get the 6 jersey for 27.
We need to be in the 8 to attract players at a lower price tag.
You lost as soon as you mentioned Penrith 🤣🤣 Look at the people the panthers had working behind the scenes and look at who Parramatta have ? One was paved with gold and the other is paved with rusted steel .
Penrith were able to hold on to their kids , if Parramatta develop players that other clubs want then how are Parramatta going to keep them ? If any other club wants a Parramatta player be it a up and coming junior or a established first grader then we have about a 35% chance of keeping them .
You piss me off when we always lose a singing.
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