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The Dragons have made a secret bid for Jason Taumalolo as the
Cowboys superstar comes to terms with his axing as North Queensland co-captain.
Sport Confidential can reveal St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has made inquiries with Taumalolo’s management in a bold bid to deliver the former Dally M winner to the Dragons’ den this season.
But the Taumalolo camp made it clear the Cowboys champion is happy in Townsville and has no intention of walking out on his $10 million contract.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten dropped a bombshell a fortnight when he removed Taumalolo and Chad Townsend as co-captains, handing the leadership reins to Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter.
It is understood Taumalolo was shocked by the decision, especially given his status at the club after inking a record 10-year, $1 million deal with the Cowboys in 2017.
(L-R) Dragons coaching brains trust Dean Young (assistant coach) and Shane Flanagan (head coach). Credit: Supplied.
New Dragons coach Flanagan is desperate to add firepower to his pack and believed the 30-year-old Taumalolo would have been the perfect leader and midfield X-factor for the embattled club.
The Payten decision will only fuel suggestions the Cowboys coach and Taumalolo have a strained relationship, but the pair both insist there is no bad blood in the tropics.
Once the most feared running forward in the game, the Tongan Test star has battled injury in recent seasons, but remains a destructive force when fully fit.
Taumalolo was relegated to the bench for six games last season, raising fears he was on the outer in Townsville.
But the 252-game Cowboys legend remains contracted until the end of 2027 and North Queensland chiefs have every intention of honouring the deal, as does Taumalolo, who wants to finish his career at the club.
Jason Taumalolo would be a huge get for the Dragons - but he’s staying put at North Queensland. Picture: Getty Images
The Cowboys are under siege from southern rivals the Dragons, who are also targeting Taumalolo’s younger teammates, boom back-rowers Heilum Luki and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
The powerful Finefeuiaki is off-contract this season, while Queensland Origin hopeful Luki is contracted until the end of 2025, but has an option in his favour - making him a free agent this year.
Cowboys football boss Micheal Luck is aware of interest in Taumalolo, Luki and Finefeuiaki but remains confident of retaining the trio.
“We have a high opinion of our young back-rowers Heilum Luki and Kulikefu. Those two have commanded a bit of interest,” Luck said.