St George Illawarra Dragons five-eighth and utility option Daniel Atkinson is set to remain at the club despite ongoing speculation around his future.
The Dragons are in the midst of one of the biggest clean outs ever attempted in the NRL.
The club have managed to secure six first-grade quality recruits for next year, with Scott Drinkwater, Kodi Nikorima and Luke Metcalf all to take up spots in Dean Young's first-choice spine, while Phillip Sami joins the outside backs, Keaon Koloamatangi the forward pack, and Connor Watson adds depth at either lock or hooker.
It means the Dragons, who have already cut ties with a number of players led by Damien Cook and Tyrell Sloan, but will likely have a number more leave before the start of 2027, are looking at ways to rebalance their squad.
It emerged earlier this week that four players have been given a tap on the shoulder, with Daniel Atkinson, Clint Gutherson, Moses Suli and Kykle Flanagan all believed to be free to explore their options.
It has now emerged though that Atkinson, who has been in media speculation around his future role and position at the club for some weeks, has reseceived an assurance he won't be going anywhere.
The utility is unlikely to feature in coach Young's halves next year, but news.com.au ar reporting Atkinson and his management sat down with Young and recruitment manager Daniel Anderson to get a lay of the land.
It's emerged that, in that meeting, the Dragons told Atkinson they weren't trying to force him out, although if they didn't have to pay any of the freight and he wanted to leave, they likely wouldn't stand in his way.
The Dragons however are keen to retain Atkinson if he wants to stay, with the former Storm and Shark likely to provide valuable depth next year given he can play anywhere between one and seven.
It has been theorised that with the Dragons still weak in the outside backs, he could well turn into a starting centre or winger for the club, both roles he has played previously to cover for injuries at his previous clubs.
Atkinson has had a chequered year at the Dragons.
Tasked by former coach Shane Flanagan to wear the number seven jumper, he was quickly moved to five-eighth, and with results continuing to struggle, interim and now permanent boss Dean Young elected to axe Atkinson a few weeks ago, with the in-form Lyhkan King-Togia coming into the side.
Atkinson's future in Wollongong might be somewhat settled, but Moses Suli, who has suggested he wants to fight for his Red V jersey, is no guarantee to stay, and nor is Flanagan or Gutherson if they receive any interest.
King-Togia has also been reported as on the list of players free to leave.
