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With Trent Merrin moving to the Panthers from 2016 – reportedly on a deal worth $750,000 per year – the Dragons have freed up vital space in their salary cap after this year.
Many have predicted the Dragons to struggle this year, but next year could be worse.
Coach Paul McGregor (three years), Jack De Belin (three years), Josh Dugan (three years), Gareth Widdop (three years) and Tyson Frizell (four years) are the only major long-term contracts that the Dragons have.
The following players are off contract at the end of 2015:
Captain Ben Creagh, Leeson Ah Mau, Mike Cooper, George Rose, Shannon Wakeman, Rulon Nutira, Will Mathews, Jake Marketo, Kris Keating, Craig Garvey, Heath L’Estrange, Jason Nightingale, Euan Aitken, Nathan Green, Shannon Crook, Yaw Kiti Glymin, Eto Nabuli, Beau Henry, Justin Hunt and Peter Mata’utia.
With 20 players off contract at the end of the year, the Dragons are going to have to be quick to work out who they are going to keep and sign them up early.
Nabuli is one player who has already put his hand up for a contract and will be keenly sought by other clubs. Junior players such as Aitken, Crook, Kiti Glymin, Wakeman and Nutira may impress this year and be keenly sought after.
Of the veterans, Rose has started the year strongly and may have another year in him. Creagh and Nightingale, 2011 grand final winners, are also reportedly seeking contract extensions. Will they too make way to create salary cap room, following Australian winger Brett Morris and Merrin out the door?
The Dragons need to address these issues, otherwise any progress made this season may be lost.
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