Dearden marked as Dragons’ top target ahead of free agency

Tom Dearden has been set as St George Illawarra’s biggest target heading into the 2024 free agency period from November 1, with Shane Flanagan more interested in securing the 22-year-old for his now-absent five-eighth spot over Jarome Luai.

The Toowoomba junior has climbed the ranks of Dragons wants mainly because of his age, as well as the $1 million price tag Luai is expected to command on the open market.

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With Ben Hunt on the wrong side of 30 and Junior Amone facing the prospect of jail time after being found guilty of a string of charges, including assault with a hammer, incoming St George Illawarra coach Flanagan is eager to secure the long-term future of at least one slice of his halves combination.

The Sporting Base understands the Dragons would be happy to play the 2024 season with Hunt and Kyle Flanagan as their playmaking pairing before putting a majority of their chips on Dearden from 2025.

It’s certainly not the most outrageous plan considering the 22-year-old has already proven himself in the NRL and the State of Origin arena and is widely regarded as a leading successor to Daly Cherry-Evans’ Queensland halfback jersey. Hunt is also not likely to be with the Sydney squad beyond 2024, no matter next year’s results.

The suitors will face staunch resistance from the North Queensland Cowboys.

The Queensland club actually already offered Dearden a $2 million extension that would keep him in the far north until at least 2027. That offer boils down to around $900,000 a year.

That comes quite close to what the Dragons are expected to bid once November rolls around.

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While Flanagan is plotting to go quite hard in his upcoming recruitment drive for the young five-eighth, The Sporting Base expects Dearden to re-sign with the Cowboys after postseason negotiations.