Dragons’ Interest in 26-year-old Subsides as Club Shifts Focus

Dragons’ Interest in 26-year-old Subsides as Club Shifts Focus

In a surprising twist to the ongoing recruitment saga, St George Illawarra Dragons have reportedly cooled their interest in overseas halfback Brodie Croft, who was initially considered a frontrunner to lead the club into a new era. The news comes as a significant shift in strategy for the Dragons, who have been looking to bolster their playmaking stocks with a high-profile signing.

For several months, Croft, who currently plies his trade in the UK’s Super League with the Salford Red Devils, had been widely linked with a return to the NRL. With his impressive form in England, Croft’s name emerged as a key target for the Dragons, who have been in search of a quality halfback to replace or complement their existing playmakers. His potential move was seen as a pivotal step in the club’s long-term rebuilding strategy.

However, sources close to the club suggest that discussions between Croft’s management and the Dragons have slowed down in recent weeks. Initially, there was optimism that Croft’s experience in guiding a competitive Super League team could translate well to the NRL, where the Dragons have struggled to establish consistency in the halves position. Yet, as time has passed, the club’s leadership, including head coach Shane Flanagan, is believed to have reassessed the direction of their recruitment plans.

The shifting focus is seen as part of a broader rethink as the Dragons continue to evaluate the long-term viability of potential recruits. While Croft’s credentials are not in question, the club appears to be weighing other options, including younger, locally-based players with potential to develop into key figures for the future. The Dragons have also been closely monitoring the progress of their current roster and assessing whether internal solutions might emerge in the coming seasons.

One factor in the reconsideration of Croft’s signing could be the club’s desire to build a more sustainable foundation, rather than rely on high-profile imports who may struggle to adjust to the NRL’s unique demands. With younger talent like Moses Mbye, Junior Amone, and the promising talent of Tyrell Sloan continuing to develop, the Dragons might be leaning towards nurturing existing players rather than bringing in a player from abroad.

Croft’s decision to leave the Melbourne Storm in 2020 and his subsequent move to Salford has rejuvenated his career, but questions remain about his ability to replicate that success back in the NRL. Some experts have expressed reservations about his transition back to the competition, given the intense pressure and scrutiny that NRL halfbacks face compared to the Super League.

While Croft remains a quality player and is expected to have a continued impact in the UK, the Dragons’ pivot away from pursuing him suggests that their attention is now focused on building around local talent and re-aligning their strategies to ensure long-term success.

This development is expected to prompt other NRL clubs to assess their interest in the 26-year-old, with several teams reportedly still keeping an eye on Croft’s availability should the Dragons ultimately step back from negotiations.

For the Dragons, the priority now appears to be finding the right combination to complement their existing roster, with the goal of making significant strides up the NRL ladder in the coming seasons. Whether that includes a fresh halfback or a shift toward internal solutions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Dragons are intent on building a team for the future.