St George Illawarra are set to sign Lachlan Ilias to replace Ben Hunt as long as the Rabbitiohs playmaker passes the final medical tests.
The Dragons have done a thorough check on Ilias, including X-rays on the leg he fractured while playing NSW Cup last season, and are set to announce his signing early next week.
Ilias was close to linking with Newcastle after being told he was free to look elsewhere after Souths signed St Helens half Lewis Dodd on a lucrative three-year deal.
After being chosen to replace Adam Reynolds as South Sydney’s long-term No.7, the 24-year-old struggled to put his stamp on the team in his 53 NRL appearances and was relegated to the NSW Cup last year before suffering a broken leg when a chargedown from Warriors opponent Freddy Lussick went horribly wrong.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Ilias is set to partner Kyle Flanagan in the halves for Dragons coach Shane Flanagan with another new recruit, Clint Gutherson, to line up at fullback, forcing Tyrell Sloan to the wing.
His switch to Wollongong will free up salary cap space for new Souths coach Wayne Bennett to bring in controversial prop Matt Lodge after an unsucessful stint at Manly.
It will be Lodge’s sixth club after he also had stints at the Wests Tigers, Warriors and Roosters in his 121-game NRL career which was punctuated by a three-year absence due to criminal charges in New York nearly a decade ago.
Meanwhile, Rising NRL star Fonua Pole has signed a new two-year deal with Wests Tigers in a boost for Benji Marshall’s ongoing rebuild.
Pole had been free to negotiate with rivals since the beginning of the month but will now remain with the three-time reigning wooden spooners until at least the end of 2027.
The Wellington-born, Melbourne-raised 22-year-old has become a pivotal member of the Tigers’ forward pack, missing only two games since making his debut in round 16 of the 2022 season.
In 2024, he averaged career-best numbers for run metres and tackle breaks.
After Stefano Utoikamanu signed with the Storm for 2025, Pole loomed as the most important middle forward for the Tigers to secure for their future under Marshall.
“I’m so happy knowing I’ll be here at the club for at least the next three seasons,” Pole said.
“Although it’s been a tough few years, I’ve loved the mateship and resilience in the team.
“Now is such an exciting time for us as a club. I just want to keep working hard and continue to improve as a player.”
Pole’s decision to re-sign shows faith in a Tigers side starved for recent success, but preparing to welcome an array of new talent for 2025.
Four-time premiership-winning playmaker Jarome Luai headlines the inclusions, while Terrell May and Royce Hunt join as reinforcements for the middle forward rotation.
Wests Tigers welcomed their first round of players back for pre-season training on November 4 but Luai’s recent duties with Samoa will prevent him joining until the new year. The joint venture face Newcastle for their first match of the new season.
with AAP