Rising playmaker Dan Atkinson is likely to sign a lucrative three-year contract with St George Illawarra, dealing a blow to rivals Cronulla.
When Atkinson replaced Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes at five-eighth last season, he was a revelation for the Sharks.
According to a NewsCorp story, he has come to terms on a $1.5 million contract with the Dragons, which will keep him off contract until the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Atkinson’s route to a permanent first-grade berth at his current club is hindered because Trindall recently re-signed a long-term contract with the Sharks and Hynes has a contract that expires in 2029.
With captain Ben Hunt leaving for the Broncos, the Dragons need to bolster their playmaking depth.
Lachlan Ilias, a former Rabbitohs halfback, has joined them on a two-year contract, and Kyle, the son of coach Shane Flanagan, will return at five-eighth after an unsuccessful spell at Canterbury.
Trindall, Kiwi forward Briton Nikora, and prop Oregon Kaufusi all extended their contracts, while Warriors star Addin Fonua-Blake recently joined the team on a high-profile contract, putting Cronulla under pay cap pressure.
In the meanwhile, if Leo Thompson left the Knights, the Bulldogs are the front-runners to sign him, but Canberra has also made a sizable offer.
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