SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 29: Luciano Leilua of the Dragons in action during the round 25 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Pirtek Stadium on August 29, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
St George Illawarra have announced that Dragons back-rower Luciano Leilua has extended his stay with the club for a further two seasons.
Leilua, who was off-contract at the end of 2018, will now remain at the Dragons until at least the end of the 2020 Telstra Premiership season.
The Hurstville United local junior made his NRL debut in 2016 and in 2017 earned Illawarra RLFC's Intrust Super Premiership Player of the Year award.
"Luciano is a player who has come through all of our junior ranks and we believe he's one of the most skilful player in our Top 30. Luciano is very important to us with his size and athleticism," Dragons Director of Rugby League Pathways Ian Millward said.
"2017 has been a real education year for Luciano. He was in a position where he had to learn the demands of playing outside the Under-20s and full-time training, and we really believe he's grown as a person as a result.
"His training this pre-season has been outstanding. There's been a complete physical and mental change about the way he goes about his business. We really believe 2018 is going to be a super year for Luciano."
While the 21-year-old didn't feature in first grade in 2017, he has four NRL games to his name and was excited to build on that next year.
"I'm very excited to remain with my junior club. I'm really stoked to be here and it means the world to re-sign," Leilua said.
"2017 was a rollercoaster year for me. I learnt a lot off the big boys while I continued learning my trade in the ISP. I wanted to return to pre-season training in good shape so I could give myself the best opportunity to play in the NRL in 2018."
The re-signing of Leilua is another boost for Red V following the signings of Hunt, James Graham, Jeremy Latimore, Mitch Allgood and Darren Nicholls for the upcoming season.
It the follows the likes of Gareth Widdop, Euan Aitken, Jack de Belin, Paul Vaughan, Tim Lafai, Kurt Mann, Jason Nightingale, Jai Field, Jacob Host, Blake Lawrie and Cameron McInnes who have extended their deals with the Dragons over the past 12 months.
| 2025 Gains None |
| 2025 Losses Zac Lomax (Parramatta Eels), Paul Turner (released) |
| Re-Signed Corey Allan (2025), Francis Molo (2026), Michael Molo (2025), Moses Suli (2027) |
| Off Contract 2024 Josh Coric, Jack de Belin, Tom Eisenhuth, Mathew Feagai, Max Feagai, Jesse Marschke, Connor Muhleisen, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Jackson Shereb, Tyrell Sloan, Jaydn Su'A, Savelio Tamale, Alec Tuitavake |