Announcement: Dragons set to swoop deal to sign Off-contract $350K utility and an Illawarra junior

The Dragons have plenty to do in this free agency window.

The St George Illawarra Dragons finally showed positive signs in 2024 after six years without finals action.

Shane Flanagan’s arrival as head coach saw some difficult decisions made – decisions that have continued since the end of the season with Ben Hunt’s departure following the early call to let Zac Lomax walk at the end of 2024.

The duo’s departure – which have been hardly replaced for 2025 – mean the club will have plenty of cash and roster spots to throw around on the open market heading into 2026.

And they certainly need acquisitions right throughout the side if they are going to become a premiership force in the coming seasons, as they last were under the coaching of Wayne Bennett all the way back in 2010.

The Dragons head into the 2026 recruitment window with a bare bones best 17 at the present time.

Of most pressing concern is that there are no halves signed at all, and no chance of Ben Hunt being at the club given he was released ahead of 2025.

Kyle Flanagan – provided he plays as he did in 2024 – is every chance of being re-signed, and the boost there is that he can play in either the six or the seven.

The Dragons will then undoubtedly go to market for at least one, and maybe two other options in the halves.

A winger will also likely be on the agenda, although re-signing the potential breakout talent Sione Finau could yet end that as an issue.

The starting forward pack looks solid, as does the young depth options, but they are certainly a couple of good options short of being able to push for the premiership. It would also all look a lot more solid if they get Jacob Liddle and Toby Couchman’s re-signings over the line.

Essentially, Shane Flanagan is heading into this recruitment window with something of a blank slate and a very wide open cheque book.

 Tyran Wishart (Melbourne Storm)

Tyran Wishart is the other half option the Dragons are heading after. A utility who can play fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker, there is a very real chance the Storm will pick up their club option on the youngster and make all of this a moot point.

But while he is on the market, the Dragons are one of a host of clubs chasing him.

The potential advantage the Dragons have is Wishart is an Illawarra junior. Just how appealing would a guaranteed starting spot be back where he grew up?

Money will need to talk as well, but Wishart’s future – up until Melbourne take a club option on him at least, and if they do – will be one of the competition’s more intriguing storylines.