Francis Molo's future at St George Illawarra remains in limbo, with the representative prop caught in a contract standoff as his management grows increasingly frustrated with the club's refusal to grant him an immediate release.
The Dragons are demanding compensation before letting Molo depart, a stance his agent Wayde Rushton argues is inconsistent with how the club has handled other player exits.
Molo has been on sick leave since February but is now considered to be on leave without pay.
His management insists he has no desire for a payout and simply wants to move on, yet the Dragons are holding firm in negotiations.
Rushton, speaking toย Newscorp on the matter, expressed his frustration over the delay, stating that Molo's happiness, not financial gain, is the primary concern.
โWe've been ready to move on for weeks now. The club seem to want to hold onto him or let this drag out for whatever reason,โ Rushton said.
โWe've tried to find a resolution but there has been no change.โ
The Dragons have justified their stance by citing Molo's importance to their forward pack, reportedly requesting a transfer fee or player swap before agreeing to release him.
Additionally, the club has asked for repayment of all wages received since November 1, including advance payments.
While Molo has agreed to return the advance payment, other financial conditions remain a sticking point.
The dispute has raised eyebrows given the club's previous approach to player departures.
Rushton questioned why Molo was being treated differently.
โThe Dragons have said previously that if a player does not want to be there, they'd let him go,โ Rushton said.
โLast year they were happy to move on Ben Hunt, Zac Lomax, and have told other players they are free to leave. Why is Frank any different?โ
The saga has also impacted the Dragons' recruitment strategy. The club is eager to sign David Klemmer, but with a full 30-man squad, they cannot register him until Molo's situation is resolved.
St George Illawarra have approached the NRL about allowing Klemmer to join before Molo's release is finalised, though no decision has been made.
Rushton, however, believes the solution is simple.
โIf the reports are correct, they have a player waiting in the wings,โ he said.
โThey can make that move if they just let Frank go.โ
With no resolution in sight, Molo has now engaged high-profile lawyer Ramy Qutamiโwho previously represented Israel Folau against Rugby Australia to assist in finding a legal pathway forward.
Meanwhile, Rushton questioned whether the club's handling of the situation aligns with their supposed concern for Molo's well-being.
โThe club initially said they cared about Frank's welfare when this news first came out,โ Rushton said.
โI can't see how this is true. I am not sure how dragging this on is in Frank's best interests, and there seems to be no urgency from their end to get this resolved. It's been dragging on for eight weeks.โ
โThe Dragons have said previously that if a player does not want to be there, they’d let him go,โ Rushton said.
โLast year they were happy to move on Ben Hunt, Zac Lomax, and have told other players they are free to leave. Why is Frank any different?โ
The difference is that Hunt and Lomax negotiated to be released at the end of the 2024 season – not at the beginning of the season or mid-way through the season, when the player’s departure would have the worse possible effect on the club.
The Dragons seem to have taken the view that:
1 we are not going to let you rip up your contract and walk away – to join some other club – just because you want to do so.
2 if you do walk away, we want you to return all the pay we have given you since 1 October, and we want whatever club you sign with us to pay us a transfer fee: only then will we release you.
Every other club (possibly bar one) will be glad that the Dragons are taking this hard line, because it will make it easier for them to manage their rosters in the future, and the next time some player wants to up-sticks and leave because the coach has told him a few home-truths about the quality of his training, the other clubs will be able to point to the Molo case and say: “you have a contract for this season. You are going to have to honour it”.
I note that the RLPA have been quiet about this. I suspect that they too can see the writing on the wall, and have little sympathy for Frankie’s attitude.