The Dragons’ rebuild has been dealt another blow with versatile Dolphins star Jake Averillo the latest player to reject an offer from the battling club.

Code Sports reported Averillo is set to reject an offer from the Dragons to sign an extension with the Dolphins.

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Averillo is off-contract at the end of 2026 and has been free to negotiate with rivals from November 1, with a number of Sydney clubs including the Dragons and the perth Bears interested in his services.

There were reports Averillo was on the outer at the Dolphins after signing Selwyn Cobbo, who has inked an extension with the Redcliffe club for 2027.

Averillo met with Dragons officials prior to their opening match of the season in Las Vegas, with the join venture looking to boost their outside back stocks amid their 11 game losing streak.

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BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 17: Jake Averillo of the Dolphins celebrates after scoring a try during the round 20 NRL match between Dolphins and North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, on July 17, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

The 25-year-old has starred at centre for the Dolphins this season, but his versatility means he can cover anywhere in the backline and looks set to play five-eighth in Round 8 against the Warriors.

Averillo has scored 59 tries in 131 games for the Bulldogs and Dolphins isnce his debut in 2020.

Averillo is averaging 170 metres a game and has been one of the Dolphins’ best players in 2026, despite a slow start for the club.

The quality outside back joins a growing list of players the Dragons – who froze all contract talks before coach Shane Flanagan’s sacking – have failed to land in recent times.

Dolphins teammate Trai Fuller also knocked back an approach from the Dragons, who are reportedly close to signing Scott Drinkwater from the Cowboys.

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The Dolphins were facing a salary cap squeeze in the outside backs, but Jamayne Isaako‘s switch to the Melbourne Storm on a two-year deal from 2027 has opened up a spot for Averillo to stay.

However, Jack Bostock and Herbie Farnworth also hit the open market on November 1 and are priority re-signings for the Dolphins.