Dragons and Bulldogs consider Lafai-Harawira-Naera player swap
Adrian Proszenko
July 15, 2020 — 5.00pm
Corey Harawira-Naera could resume his NRL career at St George Illawarra as part of a player swap that would result in Tim Lafai immediately shifting to Canterbury.
The development comes as the Dragons refuse to release Jason Saab this season, with the winger’s fate likely to be decided by the club's board at the end of the year.
Harawira-Naera is eligible for a first-grade return as soon as next week after his sacking, and that of Bulldogs teammate Jayden Okunbor, was overturned by the NRL’s appeals committee.
The Kiwi international wanted to speak to Canterbury officials before deciding whether to stay put, although reports suggest he resents the club’s handling of the Port Macquarie incident that threatened his career.
Canberra, Wests Tigers and the Warriors are also keen on Harawira-Naera’s services, with the Raiders desperate to add him to an injury-affected roster. However, the proposed player swap with the Dragons provides a ready-made solution if he wants a fresh start.
Lafai and Harawira-Naera are on similar salaries, meaning neither would be out of pocket and there would be minimal effect on either club’s salary cap for this year. The Red V also has the cap space to accommodate him next season as they contemplate the long-term make-up of their pack.
The Bulldogs are hopeful Lafai will soon be able to join them regardless given they released Morgan Harper early to join Manly.
The joint-venture outfit is scheduled to meet with Jack de Belin next week in a bid to gauge his interest in re-signing. The NSW lock remains suspended under the NRL’s no fault stand-down rule, but that hasn’t stopped the Warriors from offering him a lucrative deal contingent on him being acquitted of sexual assault charges.
It remains unclear if and when de Belin’s trial will be held, but the Dragons want to know his intentions. The 29-year-old continues to train with the team while in exile even while the parties are unsure about whether a return is possible.
De Belin continues to be paid his $595,000 salary for this year, with his market worth unlikely to be greatly affected even if sidelined for two seasons.
Okunbor wants back in at Belmore as Harawira-Naera considers options
The Dragons met with Saab and his family this week to discuss his situation after the teenage flanker again requested a release on compassionate grounds. The parties resolved Saab would remain at the club until the end of the year, with the board to review the situation then.
