Marty Taupau? Jaydn Su’A?
St George Illawarra are cashed up and on the hunt for a new recruit.
The Dragons have an additional $800,000 a season to play with following the sacking of Paul Vaughan and they’re heading to market.
Vaughan had his contract terminated on Monday following a host of incidents – including breaching NRL biosecurity protocols – and, while they have a vacancy in their forward pack, they aren’t necessarily seeking a like for like replacement.
So, what will they do?
Let’s go hunting for some size and scan over the off-contract list, shall we?
Melbourne lock and workhorse Dale Finucane is one the most appetising names on the list.
With eight clubs in the hunt for his signature, Finucane is sure to command top dollar for his signature. The Dragons are one of those clubs keen on the NSW Origin representative and have ample funds available.
But what if Finucane looks elsewhere?
Manly’s Taupau is certain to be discussed as an option. While Taupau has another year to run on his contract, take it as read, the Sea Eagles would not stand in his way if he was to secure another club and request an early exit.
A former New Zealand international, Taupau would certainly improve the Dragons’ roster. He’s averaging 155 run metres per game, 56.7 post-contact per game, has a tackle efficiency of 93.6 per cent and has made 38 tackle breaks in 13 matches.
Unwanted Broncos big man, Tevita Pangai junior is reportedly on his way to Belmore to link with Canterbury but could the departure of Vaughan throw a spanner in the works?
We know another man on the move from their current club is South Sydney backrower Su’A.
Su’A won’t be retained by the Bunnies next season and was believed to have been on the Red V’s radar prior to the incident involving Vaughan over the weekend. The Queensland State of Origin representative hasn’t been at his brilliant best recently but, at 23, his room for growth remains great.
Su’A is an edge but, with a little shifting around, the Dragons roster could certainly accommodate him.
Whether the Dragons pursue a marquee middle or opt to sign a role player remains unclear but there are several handy options in the middle without a deal for next year.
Aaron Woods, Dunamis Lui, Dylan Napa and Aiden Tolman are all uncontracted beyond this season. In 2022, the likes of Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Moeaki Fotuaika, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Viliame Kikau, Moses Leota, Jordan McLean, Isaiah Papali’i, Junior Paulo, Daniel Saifiti, Jacob Saifiti, Alex Twal, Jarrod Wallace and Christian Welch are all off-contract.
Should the Dragons fill Vaughan’s spot with a role player and bank the rest of his salary, it would allow them to pursue a fullback or five-eighth.
Matt Dufty and Corey Norman are off-contract.
Perhaps moving on Vaughan has paved the way for the Dragons to make a roster play of a different kind?
The upcoming weeks are sure to make for interesting viewing and you can’t help but think it’s an exciting time to be a Dragons fan.
Andrew
Roar Pro
I think with Su’a coming plus Burns & Ford contracted for next year I don’t see where he fits. He has some value as a utility but as you say there are juniors in the pipeline. The pot plant award goes to Fuimaono & Ellis for braking the rules when uncontracted for next year.
Wait a minute!
Guest
Griffin seems to like Fuimaono for some reason? He sometimes does some decent things in defence. I don’t see him as a first grader . St.George has better juniors coming through than him. They don’t need an import to replace him.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Little simplistic but correct. From a stats perspective Vaughan will be hard to replace, he doesn’t get injured or suspended often, plays good minutes & puts up good numbers. 262m against the Warriors. But this isn’t a stat issue, it’s a behavioural & cultural issue. Perhaps explains why Vaughan played off the bench a few times, perhaps trouble has been brewing for a while.
Bernie Vinson
Guest
Its about the rules for future ACT players. It is State of Origin and ACT has not been part of NSW for 100 years. The rules make no mention of ACT just as the rules dont mention NT as part of Qld. This should be rectified otherwise there will be issues. The ACT schoolboys RL for example are a separate team. If it was fair dinkum the rules would say that if you are born or played in ACT or NSW then you can play for NSW but the rules dont - look it up! My point is Ronaldo got busted on the rules but Cotric/Vaughan didnt.
Andrew
Roar Pro
I don’t think we’re in as bad a shape as the tabloid media would have you think. We don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors. Vaughan like Norman is a McGregor signing on huge money so in the long term it might be for the best. Vaughan obviously wasn’t with the program anyway.
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
Spot on.
Andrew
Roar Pro
I doubt Fuimaono will be retained now, he almost kills Papenhuzen (who still hasn’t played since Magic round) gets suspended for 5wks now suspended for 1wk for attending the BBQ even though he’s off contract. What a pot plant.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Bit harsh there, Saints are sitting outright 7th & have improved significantly from 2020. Outstanding group of local products will be regular first graders next year (Sloan, Amone, Sullivan, Feagai’s etc) Good coach who has plenty to prove & desperate to win a Comp. Good facilities, passionate fan base & south coast beachside lifestyle I think there’s plenty of upside to signing with Saints. Plus the footy IQ of the team will be higher next year with Norman, Dufty & Vaughan gone.
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
I like the way the recruitment is going with Molo and Sua on board, and perhaps G Burgess on his way also. I'm in favour of bringing in Tevita Pangai also. He will round out the pack nicely and his offloads and toughness will be very welcome. The secret to the 2010 premiership was the recruitment of Neville Costigan, Michael Weyman and Jeremy Smith in particular. The Dragons have gun backs, and with a new tough forward pack will be on the right path.
JGK
Roar Guru
Exactly.
Nat
Roar Guru
2021 cap management...
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
That makes sense in principle but good luck getting players to sign with any struggling clubs that tried that. Also, if the club do well, they'll probably go over the cap.
GregM
Roar Rookie
methinks Vaughan won't be playing Origin any time soon
Succhi
Roar Rookie
And pass fitness test = hold breathe for 2 min whilst in a cupboard.
Soda
Roar Rookie
What’s this got to do with who the dragons are to target? Origin eligibility by is filled with contradictions and loopholes. I have never heard any opposition to ACT players playing for the blues nor do I see any issue with it. It’s any consolation, I don’t think Vaul Paughan will be selected for the blues anytime soon.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Nada .... Safiti
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Daniel Safiti please
JGK
Roar Guru
Are you going resurrect Bullfrog?
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
I think some clubs should look at new contract criteria like small sign on fees and match payments as the current contracts really are all in favour of players wether they perform or not . Gotta be some give and take in this.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Word is these guys have a top flight legal firm of Anthony Mundine QC to fight the fines . That will go well.