The St George Illawarra Dragons have signed rising outside back William Memea Epe from the Parramatta Eels to continue his NRL development in Wollongong.
The 17-year-old winger has signed a two-year development deal and will progress through the Dragons' pathways for an opportunity to blossom into an NRL-level outside back.
Memea Epe has come off a strong Harold Matthews season with the Eels, showing signs of developing into a future star after a solid try-scoring campaign.
His season was so impressive it earned him a spot in CODE Sports' Harold Matthews Team of the Year alongside teammates Lorima Seuseu and Hayden Bell.
After not being offered a deal from Parramatta, the Red V have jumped at the chance to develop him through their system, and he is set to start in SG Ball in 2027.
Memea Epe has crafted a well-rounded game and can bend the line in return carries while proving to be a handful with his footwork.
In a similar mould to Penrith winger Brian To'o, he is a powerhouse winger who showed plenty of potential this season in the blue and gold.
His management held talks with Daniel Anderson, the Dragons' head of recruitment and pathways, before striking the two-year development deal.
Anderson is responsible for the impressive recruitment drive the Dragons have undergone during 2026, including the incoming additions of Scott Drinkwater, Luke Metcalf, Kodi Nikorima, Phillip Sami and Connor Watson.
The Eels bowed out of the under-17s finals after being defeated by the Newcastle Knights in Week 2 of the competition, who went on to claim the title after a dominant season.
The Dragons have a strong history of rewarding pathway talent with NRL debuts, including talented junior bunch of Toby and Ryan Couchman, Jacob Halangahu, Hamish Stewart, Dylan Egan, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, and Kade Reed, who all progressed through SG Ball.
