'Can't wait for him to rip in': Lachlan Ilias officially signs two-year Dragons deal after Rabbitohs release
Updated . First published
St George Illawarra has landed Lachlan Ilias as Ben Hunt's replacement after South Sydney released the halfback from the remainder of his contract.
On Monday, the Rabbitohs agreed to Ilias' request to be released from the final year of his deal to allow him to "take up an extended contract with another NRL club".
The 24-year-old was subsequently snapped up by the Dragons, having completed a second medical with the club on Friday.
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Ilias has agreed to a two-year deal with the joint venture.
Lachlan Ilias has played his last game for South Sydney. Getty
"It's fantastic to have Lachlan join us at the Dragons," coach Shane Flanagan said.
"He is coming into the best years of his career. His skill set complements our current squad and he joins the exciting group of players we have recruited ahead of the 2025 season.
"He is progressing well through his rehab and he will be ready to go for the trials. Lachlan joins a squad that is working hard and is committed to an improved 2025.
"We can't wait for him to rip in with us."
Ilias was on the outer at Souths due to the arrival of Lewis Dodd for the upcoming season and now looms as the No.7 for the Red V alongside five-eighth Kyle Flanagan.
The playmaker suffered a horrific leg injury in NSW Cup last year but will be ready to play when the 2025 season rolls around.
Lachlan Ilias has been released from Souths. Getty
"Lachy has done a great job over his time with our club. He's popular amongst the playing group and won a Jersey Flegg Cup premiership here as well," Rabbitohs head of recruitment and retention Mark Ellison said.
"Lachy has worked hard to put himself in a position to return from that terrible broken leg he suffered last year and he has an opportunity to extend his NRL future at another club. We felt it was the right thing to do to allow him to take up that opportunity."
The Sydney product played 53 first-grade games for the Rabbitohs since making his NRL debut against the Dragons in round 25, 2021.
Ilias also featured in three Test matches for Greece at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has been eyeing Daniel Atkinson from local rivals Cronulla, but the utility has a year to run on his deal and won't be released early.
The likely departure of Ilias from the Bunnies will leave incoming coach Wayne Bennett with a roster spot to fill and the Herald reports that Matt Lodge could be in the mix.
Matt Lodge during the NRL finals against the Bulldogs. Getty
The front-rower wasn't retained by the Sea Eagles at the end of this year and is looking for a contract at another club in the pre-season.
Bennett and Lodge previously worked together at the Broncos in 2018.
Lodge would add some much-needed starch to the middle of the field for Souths, who have lost experienced prop Tom Burgess in the off-season.
