St George Illawarra Dragons confirm TEN player departures

The St George Illawarra Dragons have confirmed a long list of player departures, with two more off-contract players to depart the joint-venture club.

The Dragons have undertaken one of the most aggressive recruitment drives in recent memory ahead of 2027, with six high-profile signings to join the club.

That left a large number of players on the way out, with the previously confirmed Damien Cook (Castleford Tigers), Mathew Feagai (Castleford Tigers), Emre Guler (Wakefield Trinity - mid-season), Blake Lawrie (released), Nathan Lawson (released - mid-season), Luciano Leilua (Catalans Dragons), Tyrell Sloan (Castleford Tigers) Hame Sele (released), and Jaydn Su'A (Parramatta Eels) to be joined by Christian Tuipulotu.

The club confirmed to Zero Tackle on Monday morning that the winger was farewelled in Wollongong on Sunday and will not be returning in 2027.

Young guns Jasais Ah Kee and Asher Chapman have also both joined the Perth Bears, but weren't part of the Top 30 this season.

While it has been suggested that Tyrell Sloan may yet stay in the NRL, he has signed a deal to move to Castleford, who did employ former Dragons interim boss Ryan Carr as head coach until weeks ago. Damien Cook and Mathew Feagai are making the same move.

Luciano Leilua, who has been in and out of the second-row with a young crop of Dragons forwards firing, is also moving to the Super League where he will join the Catalans Dragons.

Blake Lawrie, who scored a try in his final game for the club on Sunday afternoon, is yet to pick up a new deal but is also rumoured to be heading to England.

Emre Guler is already in the Super League after leaving mid-season, while Nathan Lawson has gone back to rugby union.

The only player from the released group with a confirmed start for next year in the NRL is Jaydn Su'A, who has joined the Parramatta Eels.

Tuipulotu, an injury-prone winger who has fallen out of favour in Wollongong, and Sele, who has fallen behind the Dragons' young middle third group, are both yet to confirm their playing futures, but will not remain in Wollongong.

Leeroy Weatherall is the only Dragon who remains uncontracted for 2027, while there is still talk that Moses Suli could find his way out of the club.

All of Scott Drinkwater, Keaon Koloamatangi, Luke Metcalf, Kodi Nikorima, Phillip Sami and Connor Watson will join the Red V for the start of the 2027 pre-season as the wooden spooners look to climb away from the foot of the table.