Brisbane are favourites to snare Dally M centre of the year James Roberts with Tim Lafai signing a two-year NRL contract with St George Illawarra.
Samoan international Lafai was granted a release by Canterbury following the signing of NSW winger Will Hopoate and signed with the Dragons on Friday after attracting interest from several other clubs including Gold Coast, Penrith and Warriors.
After former Manly winger Peta Hiku agreed a three-year deal with Penrith earlier this week, Roberts remains the only outside back on the open market.
The Dragons had met with Roberts however Lafai’s deal is expected to rule them out of the race.
Roberts reportedly met with Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett on Friday, a day after he said he wanted to play under the seven-time premiership winner.
Roberts knocked back a contract extension with the Titans after an embarrassing contract bungle in which it was discovered his signature had been forged on the paperwork.
He is also being chased by South Sydney but it is believed they do not have the salary cap space and would have to release players in addition to centre Dylan Walker and backrower Chris McQueen, who have already made way for the re-signing of Sam Burgess.
Parramatta are also reported to be interested in his services.
The Dragons have recruited heavily for 2016, signing Melbourne centre Kurt Mann, welcoming back Kalifa Faifai Loa after stints with North Queensland and Gold Coast, as well as adding forwards Mose Masoe, Sebastine Ikahihifo and Dunamis Lui.
Executive manager of football Ben Haran said the Dragons were surprised when Lafai came on the market at such a late stage in the year.
Lafai debuted with the Bulldogs in 2011, playing 72 games for them as well as five Tests for Samoa.
“I look forward to joining the St George Illawarra Dragons for the next two seasons and am excited by the opportunity to continue my career under (coach) Paul McGregor and the other coaching staff,” Lafai said.
“The club has a strong culture and are building strongly to compete for the premiership and I feel that I can positively contribute towards this.”
Charles NSW
Guest
Interesting how the Dragons will line up fro 2016 I still think Dugan needs to go in the centres If his coach agrees it will be interesting who they put in as fullback
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Current form for a player on the Bulldogs right flank is a bit misleading though; the right edge was dysfunctional on attack for basically the entire season and everyone involved looked bad -- I'm inclined to put it down to how bad the service from Lichaa to that side was, the only time the right edge looked remotely functional was when Cook and Hodkinson were both in the team for a brief window.
The eye
Guest
On current form he wouldnt make the team..Dugan now has to stay at f/b..E. Aitken is the best centre in the club and Mann was playing well enough at the end of the year to partner him..up to Mary to get him back to '14 brilliance.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
How on Gods earth are the Bunnies still over the cap after releasing 4 players worth collectively close to 2 mill. Richo has left them in a right salary cap mess.
jamesb
Guest
Very happy with the Lafai signing. It looks as though he will replace Dylan Farrell, who looks set to retire.
Elton
Guest
The centre merry go round continues So we have: Lafai > Dragons Roberts > Broncos Hoppoate > Bulldogs Hiku > Panthers Walker > Manly
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Lafai going to the Dragoons,suggests to me in the great game of rugby league musical chairs,( where the music never stops),that the Birdman of Alcatraz might remain at the Sharks.Roberts to the Broncos. Circa end 2016 if SBW should return to the Eastern Suburbs salary cap stretchers,the musical chairs will reignite.Only in rugby league where every dawn is a new beginning.