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Why doesn’t Francis Molo want to play at the Dragons?
Still smarting from the departures of Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax, the Dragons face the prospect of releasing yet another disgruntled representative star.www.smh.com.au
"On Thursday afternoon, Francis Molo marched into the “Taj Mahal”, otherwise known as the St George Leagues Club, to explain why he wanted out of a contract he had signed eight months ago.
Both parties entered willingly into the agreement in April, but Molo has subsequently thought better of it.
It is unwanted news for the Dragons, whose middle forward stocks are already stretched after they pulled out of negotiations with Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Daniel Saifiti, Stefano Utoikamanu and Terrell May. Even with the recent addition of Raiders recruit Emre Guler, Molo is considered a critical member of coach Shane Flanagan’s forward pack.
The prospect of losing a State of Origin prop – Molo made two appearances for the Maroons in 2021 – does not sit well with anyone at the Red V.
So why does he want out?
Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter have told this masthead Molo took umbrage at an interaction with a St George Illawarra staffer. The alleged incident took place last year and did not prevent Molo from representing Samoa during the Pacific nation’s season-ending tour of England.
Molo recently stopped turning up to Dragons training, despite not being injured. It prompted the club to issue a show-cause notice, which was the focus of discussions when Molo fronted the board, flanked by his manager and a representative of the players’ association.
The parties were unable to arrive at a solution and the official line is that Molo, who switched agents since signing the contract extension, is on leave.
“We addressed the issue the club thought they had, and we’re working through it,” said his new manager, Wayde Rushton.
Asked if his client wanted out of the club, Rushton replied: “Yes. He has already asked for a release, which has been denied.”
The Molo matter is a delicate one for all involved. The Dragons are concerned about Molo’s welfare, which is why they have granted him indefinite leave while the situation remains unresolved.
Team Molo insists there have been no discussions with rival clubs over a landing spot should a release from the Dragons (and his deal of approximately $550,000 a season) be secured.
The NRL has long floated the prospect of introducing a rule preventing players who break contracts from earning more elsewhere, but nothing has come of it. Such a rule would allow players to shift oncompassionate grounds, while eliminating the spurious claims often made to earn more money elsewhere.
The Molo situation is all too familiar to the Dragons. Flanagan’s two best players, Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax, continually agitated for releases despite making long-term commitments to the joint venture. Neither could be accused of failing to put in while they were there, but the situation ultimately became untenable and both were released to rivals.
The Dragons were able to replace them, courtesy of the salary cap space created, with the signings of Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes, Damien Cook and Lachlan Ilias. However, replacing Molo, with so few alternative front row options available so close to the start of the new season, is almost impossible.
Molo’s rugby league journey has been a bumpy one. While playing for Broncos feeder club North Devils in 2015 he was involved in a tackle that resulted in the death of Sunshine Coast Falcons player James Ackerman. Two years ago, he pleaded guilty to a domestic violence offence, which resulted in a two-game ban after avoiding a conviction. The incident prompted the former Broncos and Cowboys forward to abstain from alcohol. Now he wants another fresh start.
It’s certainly not ideal for the Dragons, installed by bookmakers as wooden spoon favourites. A ball hasn’t even been kicked and they face the prospect of parting with another disgruntled representative star.
