The St George Illawarra Dragons have made a significant statement of intent for their long-term future, securing the signature of star forward Keaon Koloamatangi on a lucrative five-year contract.
A Transformative Signing for the Red V
However, Dragons fans eager for an immediate boost will have to wait, as the Tongan international and Australian Kangaroos representative will not join the club until the 2027 pre-season. The acquisition from the South Sydney Rabbitohs is viewed internally as one of the club's most important signings in recent years, aimed at providing leadership for a promising young forward pack.
Dragons CEO Tim Watsford hailed the move as a "transformative moment" for the club. "Keaon is one of the premier forwards in the NRL and a proven leader," Watsford said. "Bringing in a leader of Keaon's calibre to guide and inspire them is critical for us."
Head coach Shane Flanagan echoed the sentiment, stating Koloamatangi filled a crucial need for an elite representative player to pair with the club's emerging talent.
The Pressing Question of the 2026 Campaign
The delayed arrival of Koloamatangi immediately raises questions about the Dragons' strategy for the upcoming 2026 NRL season. The club is coming off a disappointing 2025, where they won just eight of 24 games to finish 15th, extending their finals football drought since 2018.
Flanagan has indicated the roster is not yet complete, with the club seeking another middle forward and outside back to fill their 30-man squad. New faces for 2026 include Daniel Atkinson, Josh Kerr, Setu Tu, and David Fale.
The coach is banking on improvement from a core of young forwards like the Couchman twins (Ryan and Toby), Hamish Stewart, Dylan Egan, and Jacob Halangahu. While not guaranteeing a finals return, Flanagan has confidently stated the Dragons "will be much better in 2026."
This optimism is not universally shared. FOX Sports has predicted the Dragons will finish last in the 2026 season, a forecast that will undoubtedly serve as motivation for the playing group.
Building for a New Era
Koloamatangi, 27, expressed his excitement about the Dragons' long-term project. "The club's ambition really impressed me," the 126-game NRL veteran said. "I've been watching the squad they're building and the young forwards coming through, and I want to be part of driving that next era."
The signing, alongside the development of a new state-of-the-art training facility, points to a club building methodically both on and off the field. The critical challenge for Flanagan and his staff is to ensure competitive progress in 2026, keeping fans engaged before their major investment in Koloamatangi comes to fruition the following year.
Whether the Dragons can defy external predictions and make a push for their first finals appearance in eight years remains one of the compelling storylines for the new NRL season.
