Veteran St George Illawarra Dragons back Valentine Holmes has declared himself ready to put a frustrating, injury-interrupted season behind him, setting a clear goal for 2026: to be a consistent, weekly force for his club.
Frustration of the Sidelines
The 30-year-old centre or winger was sidelined for the back half of the 2025 NRL season after suffering a shoulder injury in round 19 that required surgery. Holmes admitted the experience was deeply disappointing, leaving him with a sense of having let his teammates down. "I just feel like I let them down, let myself down, and just didn't get a chance to get back out there at the end of the year," Holmes said. "It was more like, my season was over once I found out I had to get surgery."
Before the injury struck in July, Holmes had been a key contributor for the Dragons, racking up an impressive six tries, nine try assists, and 45 goals in just 14 appearances. His absence was keenly felt as the team struggled, sitting 11th on the ladder with a six-and-ten record when he went down.
The Road to Recovery and a Vegas Redemption
Now deep into pre-season training, Holmes reports he is nearing full fitness. "I'm pretty much at 98 per cent [healthy]. I feel like I'm 100 per cent," he said, though noting the club's physios are wisely tempering his enthusiasm to ensure no setbacks. His focus is firmly on the Dragons' blockbuster season opener, a historic clash against crosstown rivals the Canterbury Bulldogs in Las Vegas.
"We've got a couple of months until we head over, but that just adds to how eager I am to get out there," Holmes stated, highlighting the match as the perfect stage for his return after missing the final ten weeks of the previous campaign.
A New Mindset for a Crucial Season
The Queensland State of Origin representative acknowledged that his duties with the Maroons, while an honour, also meant missing vital club games. Moving forward, his priority is unwavering availability. "I just want to be out there week in, week out," he asserted. "I'm sick of missing games... They signed me here as someone they want in the team every week. As goal kicker as well, it's another pivotal part of my position."
Holmes expressed confidence in the Dragons' pre-season progress, praising the blend of experience and youth within the squad. He views the 2025 season as a "stepping stone" for the group and believes the players are now mentally prepared for the consistency required to challenge for finals football.
"I think at the moment now we're looking pretty good," Holmes said, before issuing a note of caution about the upcoming holiday break. "The big test will be this next two weeks. Everyone relaxes off... but you've got to look after yourself." For Valentine Holmes, the mission is clear: repay the faith, support his teammates, and ensure his name is on the team sheet every single week in 2026.
