The Mole: Dragons 'hit list' revealed as stars on 'big dollars' in limbo

Dragons officials are preparing a 'hit list' of players off contract for next season in a desperate bid for a quick fix in the post-Shane Flanagan era.

Wide World of Sports revealed this month that the club was set for a cleanout following the dismal start to 2026, with 11 players coming off contract, most of whom will not be re-signed.

Several players on big dollars under contract for 2027 will also be given the option to "look around".

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That would give the Dragons plenty of room in the salary cap to chase fresh blood - and the roster is in desperate need of an overhaul after 11 straight losses.

Jaydn Su'A has already jumped ship to the Eels, while Damien Cook, Luciano Leilua, Tyrell Sloan, Blake Lawrie and Christian Tuipulotu are among those without a deal for 2027.

The Dragons have signed Keaon Koloamatangi from Souths and he will add starch to the forwards, while Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater is close to coming to terms.

But what the club really needs is strike power from the halves, with the Daniel Atkinson-Kyle Flanagan combination failing to ignite the attack this season.

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There aren't many halves on the market - but there are four who could make a difference at the joint venture if youngster Kade Reed doesn't fix the problem.

Leading the list is Warriors duo Tanah Boyd and Chanel Harris-Tavita, who are both enjoying fine seasons across the ditch.

The Warriors have plenty of depth in the halves and at least one is likely to walk.

The other two off-contract halves could also be useful for the Dragons - the Cowboys' Jake Clifford and under-rated Dolphin Kodi Nikorima.

Ideally, the Dragons would want to wait until the coaching situation for 2027 is sorted before chasing talent - but good players are being snapped up every day and waiting could prove costly.

Knights hooker wants more at the bargaining table

The Knights have offered promising hooker Harrison Graham a one-year extension but the former Dolphin's management is after a longer deal.

The 24-year-old has played five games this season - all off the bench - for three wins and has done his job, lifting the intensity of the side.

Newcastle like what Graham brings to the table but with Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown taking up such a large chuck of their salary cap, there is little wriggle room for other players in the camp.

If Graham continues to impress, the club may find a way to give him the extra security he craves.

Dolphins star a Queensland Origin bolter

Dolphins second-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has been one of the big improvers of 2026, so much so that he is being talked about as a possible Queensland Origin bolter.

He's been the most impressive player in an inconsistent Dolphins pack and has the ability to both break the line and snap an opponent in half in defence.

At 22, he is the ideal age to blood in Origin and Billy Slater has shown he is not afraid to bring in new blood for the game's highest-intensity games.

Finefeuiaki was named in the Maroons' extended squad last year, a clear indication that he is very much on the Queensland radar.

Raiders sign an exciting Benji

Another Benji is about to hit the rugby league landscape.

The Raiders have signed exciting Queanbeyan Blues fullback Benji McNamara to a four-year deal.

The 16-year-old doesn't mind scoring a try, like his famous namesake Benji Marshall did in his heyday.

He was the top try-scorer in the under-13 division one competition in the Canberra region in 2024 and captured the eye of plenty of rival clubs before the Raiders locked him up long term.