Despite losing new newcomer Corey Allan to a season-ending ACL injury and having roster places vacant, the St George Illawarra Dragons have no interest in signing recently terminated winger David Nofoaluma.
The 192-game player, who has been with the Tigers since 2013, but has had a difficult last 24 months, was eventually released by mutual consent on Tuesday.
While Nofoaluma could have addressed a board meeting on Wednesday evening about two recent breaches, he chose to accept a $300,000 settlement for the remaining two years of his contract.
It means the winger is now a free agent late in the preseason, and it’s expected he’ll look into alternatives in both the NRL and the English Super League.
However, it is uncertain how many options he will have open. The Tigers had been attempting to sell Nofoaluma for two years but were unable, despite the fact that he moved on loan to the Melbourne Storm at the end of the 2022 season.
The Dragons were quickly mentioned as a possible alternative for Nofoaluma, but according to News Corp’s David Riccio, that won’t happen.
Tyrell Sloan is expected to open the season at fullback, Mikaele Ravalawa and Mat Feagai on the wings, and Zac Lomax and Moses Suli in the centres when Shane Flanagan takes over.
That mix is similar to how they concluded last season, however there has been much speculation that Lomax may play fullback.
Even if that happens, Mat Feagai’s brother Max is in the wings, vying for more first-team opportunities, while Sione Fainu, who made his Warriors debut in late 2023, will also compete for a slot on the wing.
Savelio Tamale, a centre who can play on the wing, also makes the Top 30 this year, while Paul Turner is another backline player who has yet to break through since joining the club.
That is why the Dragons will trust their young players, and Nofoaluma’s previous history is likely to deter clubs from making a substantial move for him.
However, any club looking for a winger this late in the preseason would bite on a player of Nofoaluma’s caliber.
