Hapless Dragons rush into talks with Fuller for emergency mid-season signing

St George Illawarra has been speaking to Trai Fuller about an emergency mid-season signing that would see the zippy Dolphins fullback join the Dragons immediately, replacing the struggling (and possibly injured) Clint Gutherson to become their No.1 star for the remainder of the NRL season.

After starting the season 0–5 in a historically bad first five rounds for the joint venture, Shane Flanagan and club brass are looking for immediate options to turn things around and avoid the spoon.

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One standout option has presented itself in Redcliffe: Fuller has a clause in his Dolphins deal that can be triggered to allow him to join any rival immediately. From the Dragons’ side, they have to give him a pay upgrade on what he’s currently earning in Redcliffe’s reserve grade, but that would mean the Dolphins can’t intercede in the deal.

(Redcliffe also offered Fuller to several Super League clubs that were looking for a potential early-season replacement just some weeks ago, suggesting they’re not too keen to keep him long term.)

Fuller is currently without a contract for next season, which means he’s very eager to take up another deal somewhere ⁠— though he’s been asking the Dragons to sign him for 2027 as well. Should they be unwilling to give him that extra year, he may decline the move.

St George Illawarra are hesitant to give Fuller the next year, because Flanagan has been looking at longer-term fullback options.

Those include Jahream Bula at the Tigers ⁠— understood to be the number one pick for the Dragons, should he leave Wests ⁠— as well as Connor Tracey, who’s on the outer with the Bulldogs, and Scott Drinkwater, who the Cowboys have quietly said can leave if he wants.

Fuller would be an astute signing for the Dragons, considering one of their biggest issues is speed. Fuller is one of the fastest fullbacks in rugby league and tried his heart out in the 17 appearances he’s made for the Dolphins. The only reason he doesn’t start regularly is because he’s stuck behind State of Origin representative Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

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Should the Red V get Fuller immediately, there’s every chance he plays against Manly on Friday evening in an emergency move. Gutherson could either be dropped entirely or move to play in the centres while Valentine Holmes shifts out to the wing again.

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Flanagan did just vow to make “big changes” to the Dragons’ roster after they slumped to a club record loss streak running back to August last season. Fuller, in as an emergency signing, would be just that.

The 0–5 Dragons are next in action against the Sea Eagles at 6PM on Friday.