The Canterbury Bulldogs have secured the long-term signing of one Amone brother, whilst the other will remain in the St George Illawarra Dragons system for at least another season.
Viliami Amone will stay in the Illawarra for the 2027 season with his management confirming a one-year contract extension with the club, after knocking back heavy interest from rival clubs who were circling the situation.
Viliami is amongst the highly touted young Dragons forward pack coming through the ranks, with the ability to play both the front and second row.
He has been in the Dragons' pathway system since a young age, playing in the same Illawarra Steelers Harold Matthews squad in 2021 as Dylan Egan and recently crowned Dally M second rower of the year, Hamish Stewart.
Viliami was instrumental in the success of his Jersey Fleggs' side on their way to the minor premiership this season, and was further rewarded with elevation to the NSW Cup side where he made four appearances coming off the bench.
Api Amone has completed a long-term deal that will see him at the Bulldogs until the 2029 season, confirmed by his management, with the club continuing their raid of young Dragons talent in the recent seasons.
He captained the Illawarra's Harold Matthews Cup outfit in 2026 where they finished fourth on the ladder, with his teammate Noah Fitzgerald too completing a long-term move to the Bulldogs.
Api already has representative honours to his name after playing for the Under 16s City side in 2025 and too in schoolboy rugby league.
At just 17 years of age, Api has a long career ahead of him and will benefit from the long-term development plan that Phil Gould has implemented at the Bulldogs.
The pair are the younger brothers of former Dragons rising star Talatau Amone who made 54 appearances for the club at NRL level before an off-field incident that saw him depart the club.
Talatau has since revitalised his career playing for Queensland Cup side Wynnum Manly Seagulls, with NRL clubs reportedly interested in his signature, and some suggestions he could be included in Tonga's Rugby League World Cup squad.
The Amone name will continue to have representation in the NRL for the years to come.
