Announcement: Dragons and Flanagan closing in deal to sign new forward as Bird comments on Tigers move

Coach Shane Flanagan is promising St George Illawarra fans more signings over the off-season, as the club is closing in on deal to sign Parramatta forward Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

Flanagan was open about the need to refresh his squad following the Dragons’ 26-24 loss to Canberra on Saturday, which hammered the final nail in the season’s coffin.

The Red V controlled their fate in the race for the top eight until three disappointing losses ended the season.

“It just shows no resilience, no patience,” Flanagan added.

“I have to instill it in them—that hard-nosed rugby league football team. That’s my work during the offseason.”

The Dragons have already confirmed the signings of South Sydney hooker Damien Cook and winger Valentine Holmes, who won the premiership with Cronulla under Flanagan in 2016.

But star winger Zac Lomax is on his way to the Eels, while youngster Savelio Tamale, who made his debut against the Raiders, will join them next season.

Flanagan hinted at additional acquisitions in the works.

“We’ve got to get some of those (hard-nosed) players in,” he went on:

“I understand Damien is that type of player. I know Val has been that type of player, so I’ll bring them in and add more.”

Prop Campbell-Gillard converted a rare conversion after scoring in the Eels’ victory against the Wests Tigers on Friday, a strong hint that he is on his way out.

“We’re definitely trying to get two middles to add to our team,” Flanagan said when asked if he was interested in the veteran.

“You know what the off-season is like. There has been some change, including some unexpected developments. But I’ll be aiming to attract players who are strong, resilient, and winners.

Captain Ben Hunt reiterated his coach’s sentiments, stating they were “not a disciplined and hard-nosed enough team” following their late loss, despite leading the Raiders from the opening set.

Few predicted Canberra forward Corey Horsburgh would appear with a grubber kick in the 78th minute to score a freak try and steal the game from the Dragons.

When asked if the want-away prop had caught his attention, Flanagan was hesitant.

“There has been a lot of speculation. We haven’t spoken with Corey yet,” he said.

“Now that the season’s over, we’ll take a breath and then jump into what next year looks like.”

Flanagan increases recruitment demand as Bird comments on Tigers move

Jack Bird, a utility player for the St George Illawarra Dragons, will join the Wests Tigers in 2025 after playing his final game with the club.

It was announced this week that the Tigers had signed Bird, who had requested a release from the Dragons after exercising a player option.

Shane Flanagan, the Dragons’ head coach, is already reshaping his roster for 2025. Mikaele Ravalawa and Blake Lawrie are among the players who have been given permission to leave Wollongong.

Bird confirmed to News Corp on Saturday that he had signed a two-year contract with the Tigers after missing the Red V’s season-ending game due to injury.

“I still think I’ve got some good football left in me, and I like where the Tigers are going,” Bird told the outlet.

“I’m excited to go there and help improve their culture and get them back to the finals.

“I want to challenge myself. I’m likely to be given a larger role than I’ve ever had at a club.

“They’ve signed some great players and they’ve bought me for a reason to show the younger guys how to train and how to win.”

Bird said that a lack of job stability pushed him to seek a way out of the Dragons. His player option for 2025 was not included in the contract length, and the utility spent much of the second part of the season in reserve grade after failing to reclaim his spot in first grade following an injury layoff.

“I chatted with Flanno (Shane Flanagan), and he understood. He stated he wouldn’t know if there was a contract for me until next year, which I understand,” Bird added.

“I love the club and the boys, and I will definitely miss everyone. There is no bad blood, and I’m departing on good terms.

While Bird has stated that he will not be signing a final contract with the Tigers and intends to play beyond the end of 2026, attention will now shift to the Dragons, who will gain another roster place as a result of Bird’s departure.

The Dragons lost to the Canterbury Bulldogs, Cronulla Sharks, and Canberra Raiders on Saturday, resulting in their elimination from the finals, despite being considered a lock.

The Red V’s loss in the playoffs is disappointing, but they were considered pre-season favorites for the wooden spoon. Shane Flanagan’s rebuilding efforts appear to be on track.

However, during the post-game press conference following the loss to Canberra, Flanagan admitted that he is not finished recruiting new players and needs two more middle forwards.

Flanagan has stated his want to acquire a middle-of-the-park player, but now seeks a second. The club has been linked to Daniel Saifiti, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, and Corey Horsburgh, but Flanagan has yet to talk with the former Queensland Origin prop.

“We need some middles, yes. “I’m trying to get two middles to join our team, and you know how the off-season goes,” Flanagan stated during his post-game press conference.

“There’s some shift, and some things you don’t see coming or are unaware of right now. I’ll make an effort to recruit players who fit that profile.

“Tough, resilient, winner… we haven’t spoken with Corey (Horsburgh), there has been a lot of speculation, and we haven’t spoken with him yet.

“Now that the season is over, take a breath and then jump into what next season looks like.”

Flanagan, who has acquired Campbell-Gillard from the Parramatta Eels to a two-year deal, admits he has work to do with his squad, but believes the already signed combination of Damien Cook and Valentine Holmes will help.

“I have a lot of work to do. “My job in the off-season is to instill that in them, that hard-nosed rugby league team,” Flanagan stated.

“We need to bring in more players like Damien Cook.” I know Val (Holmes) was that type of player.

“So I will get them in and add some more, I’ve been around long enough to know you don’t win football games if you don’t respect the football.”