St George Illawarra have pulled out of discussions with former Melbourne and Brisbane halfback Brodie Croft about the prospect of joining the Dragons as a replacement for the suspended Junior Amone.
St George Illawarra are seeking salary cap dispensation from the NRL to bring a playmaker to the club after head office triggered the automatic no-fault stand down policy against the 20-year-old as he fights assault charges.
The Dragons had identified Croft as a potential replacement, however, the transfer fee proved a stumbling block.
Croft is contracted to Super League club Salford, where he played 28 games in his first season with the club last season after his tumultuous exit from the Broncos.
Sources with knowledge of negotiations speaking under the condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of discussions told the Herald the Red Devils have put a transfer fee of close to $250,000 on Croft.
The Dragons are reluctant to fork out such a hefty sum to lure Croft back home. Croft was touted as a future star of the game but fell out of favour with key figures at the Storm.
Brodie Croft during his time at the Storm.Credit:NRL Photos
He was unable to find a home at the Broncos, either, leaving the NRL for the United Kingdom with 65 games across six seasons to his name.
The Dragons are desperate to bolster its playmaking stocks with Amone’s long-term future clouded, and Jayden Sullivan’s short-term future also uncertain following a hamstring injury.
Sullivan is regarded as one of the best young halves in the NRL and attracted interest from the Bulldogs last year. However, recurrent injuries have hampered his progression. The club is hopeful he will be fit for the Charity Shield against South Sydney.
The Dragons want to add some back-up options. Moses Mbye and Jack Bird have both played in the halves throughout their careers and appear to be the frontrunners to play in the No.6 jersey if Sullivan is unavailable.
Brodie Croft played for the Broncos before leaving for the Super League last year.Credit:NRL Photos
It’s an all too familiar conundrum for the Dragons. It’s the second time since the no-fault stand down policy was introduced back in 2019 that the Dragons have found themselves without a key player leading into a new season.
Amone has been stood down after an alleged hammer attack in the Wollongong suburb of Warrawong over the off-season. He was charged with causing reckless grievous bodily harm in company, damaging property and stalking in November.
The charge carries a maximum 14-year jail term, which sits above the 11-year threshold the NRL uses to determine whether a player is automatically stood down pending the court case or whether they use discretionary powers to allow them to continue playing while the matter is resolved.
Amone will appear in court on March 1, the day before the start of the NRL season launch between the Parramatta Eels and Melbourne Storm at CommBank Stadium. He is still allowed to train with the team and receive his full salary, however he won’t be able to play.
The Dragons start their campaign with a bye in the opening round before taking on the Gold Coast Titans at Kogarah in round two.
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