The St George Illawarra Dragons have struck while the iron is hot, securing star half Luke Metcalf after a fallout with the New Zealand Warriors.
Metcalf has reportedly signed on the dotted line for the Red V, with the Daily Telegraph revealing he has agreed to a three-year deal worth $900,000 a season starting next year.
It is a massive recruitment coup for the Dragons, who have also secured the services of Scott Drinkwater for 2027, adding some elite attacking options to their spine.
The club has made positive adjustments to the lacklustre attack we have seen this year, and this will no-doubt bring them off the bottom of the ladder in 2027.
With Damien Cook moving to the Super League next year, the club will field a completely different spine, signalling a new era for the Red V. Drinkwater and Metcalf join Daniel Atkinson and Jacob Liddle in the side’s pivotal positions.
Reports surfaced that the Warriors see their future with Tanah Boyd as their chief playmaker following a bottleneck of halves in the Auckland-based side.
The club allowed Metcalf to explore his options despite a long-term extension last year.
Metcalf has played only 47 games of NRL following a troubled past with injuries. However, when the classy playmaker remains on the field, he is a sight to behold.
The Dragons have also added star forward Keaon Koloamatangi and outside back Phillip Sami to their squad for the 2027 season.