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Rumours of Corey Norman’s switch to the St George-Illawarra Dragons have been given a boost, with multiple news outlets reporting that the Parramatta Eels have released the playmaker from the final year of his contract.
While neither the Eels nor Dragons have made any noise regarding the rumoured move, NRL.com chief reporter Michael Chammas has claimed the blue and gold have released Norman from the final year of his deal.
The news comes after a tumultuous year for the Eels that saw them finish last for the 14th time, while Norman himself had a year to forget after being fined by the club for drinking while rehabbing from injury.
The 27-year-old played his first four seasons in the NRL with the Brisbane Broncos, scoring 13 tries in 62 matches.
He was squeezed out of the five-eighth position by the arrival of Scott Prince in 2013, however, and jumped ship to Parramatta in 2014 so he could resume his preferred position.
In 106 games for Parra, he scored 14 tries.
How Norman fits into the Dragons side next year, however, is something of a mystery.
While rumours of Gareth Widdop’s departure to England at the end of 2019 would allow the ex-Eel to seemingly slot right into the line-up, how they balance Widdop, Norman and young fullback Matt Dufty across the upcoming season appears to be a challenge.
The Dragons may yet to have released an official statement on the rumours, but that didn’t stop winger Zac Lomax telling Fox Sports he hoped Dufty would hold onto his spot.
“Obviously [the Norman move is] not up to me and whoever’s there I’m sure the job will get done,” he said.
“But you’ve seen what Matt can do there in the season this year and he’s working hard.
“Duff’s been unreal for the Dragons especially considering this was basically his debut season.
“If he was to stay there I’d be confident we’re still going to have a good season in 2019,” he said.