Shaun Nona flips on Blackhawks to sign NRL contract with Dragons

Flashy five-eighth Shaun Nona has backflipped on his decision to join the Townsville Blackhawks after securing an NRL contract with the Dragons for next season.

Nona was set to join the Cowboys feeder side in the Intrust Super Cup from 2017, but his deal had a release clause which would allow him to walk away if he secured a fulltime NRL position.

The Tully junior has spent time in the Melbourne Storm’s system before linking up with Dragons through the Illawarra Cutters last season, leading the Cutters to NRL State Championship glory against Burleigh.

Nona expressed a desire to return home to North Queensland to be closer to his family, but the departure of veteran playmaker Benji Marshall has created an opportunity in the halves at the Dragons.