The St. George Illawarra Dragons continue to face turmoil, with another key player walking away from the club. This time, it’s former State of Origin forward Francis Molo, who exited during the offseason after a heated altercation with a member of the coaching staff.
Head coach Shane Flanagan has spoken out about the situation, admitting he’s uncertain about Molo’s future. “I have no idea if he is coming back,” Flanagan told The Daily Telegraph, confirming that the prop is currently on sick leave, and what happens next remains unclear.
Molo has cited mental health concerns following the incident, prompting Flanagan to defer the matter to the club’s board, the NRL, and the RLPA. “Once his sick leave ends, we’ll see where we stand,” he said.
Beyond the immediate player concerns, the Dragons are also navigating legal complications surrounding Molo’s contract and its impact on the salary cap. “It’s a legal minefield,” Flanagan admitted, acknowledging the uncertainty of the situation.
This latest setback comes at a difficult time for the Dragons, who already lost their captain, Ben Hunt, to the Brisbane Broncos in the offseason. With the club having missed the finals for seven consecutive seasons, Flanagan is aware of the challenges ahead.
“I’m not comfortable with our situation,” he said. “We’ve lost our No.1 front-rower just as the season is about to start. But he’s made his decision, and now we have to deal with it.”
With less than a month before the NRL season kicks off, concerns are growing among fans that the Dragons could be in for another tough year.