The Rumours Thread

[Dragonslayer]

Riccio reportingcAtkinson is signed for '26

 

[Dragon David]

Sorry, full story behind paywall -

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2Fsport%2Fnrl%2Fnrl-market-watch-emerging-sharks-star-daniel-atkinson-agrees-to-threeyear-deal-with-the-dragons%2Fnews-story%2F0a7bd188c8ef37c5e8f5b2917adbc5d0&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-2-NOSCORE

 

[mattw5]

Thank me later.


Emerging Sharks star Daniel Atkinson agrees to three-year deal with the Dragons





St George Illawarra has picked the pocket of its bitter rival, poaching one of the best emerging playmakers in the NRL from Cronulla.


David Riccio


,


Michael Carayannis


and


Brent Read





2 min read


December 4, 2024 - 5:08PM





St George-Illawarra have blown rival clubs out of the water to lure Sharks rookie Daniel Atkinson as their future five-eighth.


The talented utility’s management has informed Sharks officials that the 23-year-old has agreed to a three-year deal from 2026 with the Dragons, where he intends to become the starting five-eighth alongside halves options Lachlan Ilias and Kyle Flanagan.


The deal is believed to be worth around $1.5 million across the three years.





It’s a significant figure the Sharks simply couldn’t match for the 20-game rookie.


Atkinson was competing for a spot in Cronulla’s spine with Nicho Hynes, Braydon Trindall, Will Kennedy, Kade Dykes and exciting rookie fullback Liam Ison.


Atkinson represents the Sharks first casualty from their long list of off-contract stars, having already re-signed Trindall, backrower Briton Nikora and Oregon Kaufusi.





The Dolphins also showed interest in Atkinson, who shot to fame during the 2024 season for Cronulla when he filled in for either the injured Hynes or sidelined Trindall.


The Dragons offer and the opportunity to become the club’s starting five-eighth was a decision too good to refuse.


Under the NRL rules, the Sharks have 10-days to attempt to flip Atkinson’s mind on joining their arch-rivals.





It’s that process that saw Titans enforcer David Fifita change his mind just days after agreeing to terms with the Roosters earlier this year.


Cronulla have no interest in releasing Atkinson early from what remains of his 2025 season contract.


Atkinson’s anticipated signing with Saints continues their impressive recruitment drive which includes Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes, Damien Cook and Ilias for 2025 and beyond.

 

[Jubilee]

Flaaaaaaanooooo! $500k for three years. Perfect.

 

[mattw5]

Flaaaaaaanooooo! $500k for three years. Perfect.

I think Kyle could move to lock from next season

 

[Dragon David]

Flanno’s $1.5m Shark poaching; Dogs enter race for Knights gun — Free Agency LIVE

Flanno’s $1.5m Shark poaching; Dogs enter race for Knights gun — Free Agency LIVE

www.foxsports.com.au

This is great news. I'm a bit worried about the 10 day cooling off period though. Fitzy won't be giving up so easily (he is anti Dragons) and Atkinson has said that he loves the Sharks, so we have to wait and see if it is confirmed on the website in 10 days time.

 

[Dragon David]

I think Kyle could move to lock from next season

I agree subject to of course confirmation that Atkinson will be a Dragon in 2026 after the cooling off period.

 

[Dragon David]

Atkinson is the type of player we need in the halves. Flanno knows this.

His CV includes this (from Wikipedia) -
"In round 10 of the 2024 NRL season, Atkinson led his team to a 25–18 point win over rivals and former club, Melbourne Storm, without star halves partner Nicho Hynes. He kicked a field goal in the 74th minute to extend their lead and seal the win for Cronulla ending a six-year losing streak in Melbourne.[10] In round 24 of the 2024 NRL season, Atkinson kicked the winning field goal in golden point extra-time as Cronulla defeated Newcastle 19–18.[11] Atkinson played a total of 19 games for Cronulla in the 2024 NRL season as they finished 4th on the table and qualified for the finals.[12]

 

[qld redvee]

Flanno’s $1.5m Shark poaching; Dogs enter race for Knights gun — Free Agency LIVE

Flanno’s $1.5m Shark poaching; Dogs enter race for Knights gun — Free Agency LIVE

www.foxsports.com.au

This is great news. I'm a bit worried about the 10 day cooling off period though. Fitzy won't be giving up so easily (he is anti Dragons) and Atkinson has said that he loves the Sharks, so we have to wait and see if it is confirmed on the website in 10 days time.

10 working days or just 10 days

 

[BLM01]

Lodge now talking with Bennett at souths
The media have been reporting that since before we signed Ilias

So are we

 

[Dragon David]

10 working days or just 10 days

10 business days!

 

[Hound of Dracula]

Flanno keeps this up and we'll become the new NRL destination of choice

 

[VodkaSaint]

Flanno’s $1.5m Shark poaching; Dogs enter race for Knights gun — Free Agency LIVE

Flanno’s $1.5m Shark poaching; Dogs enter race for Knights gun — Free Agency LIVE

www.foxsports.com.au

This is great news. I'm a bit worried about the 10 day cooling off period though. Fitzy won't be giving up so easily (he is anti Dragons) and Atkinson has said that he loves the Sharks, so we have to wait and see if it is confirmed on the website in 10 days time.

Exactly what Im thinking

 

[Dragsters]

This is such great news!

We can only hope that the 10 day cooling off period has begun before this was leaked and we are well into already.

Then once locked in let the agitating for an early release begin.

I'm so stoked but trying to temper my joy until confirmed...

 

[mattw5]

I am nervous as hell about the cooling off period as i read somewhere the Sharks don’t want to lose him & are working on a revised offer.

 

[Dragsters]

I think Kyle could move to lock from next season

Maybe Flano has known this was happening for some time hence why Kyle has added 10 kilos of bulk already this off season.

Even better, if Flano is confident of shaking Atko loose for this season then Kyle to lock?

 

[Dragsters]

I am nervous as hell about the cooling off period as i read somewhere the Sharks don’t want to lose him & are working on a revised offer.

Same...

 

[qld redvee]

10 business days!

so fingers crossed for 17th or 18th december -- nice chrissy present

 

[Dragsters]

so fingers crossed for 17th or 18th december -- nice chrissy present

That's assuming it started today.

We could be already be well into it.

 

[Gareth67]

It is indeed tremendous news for our club , of course the sharks - as already mentioned by others - have that 10 day period where they can talk the kid around .

However for mine , you do not sign a contract with another club unless your mind is well and truly made-up .

He may have very well decided that his future lies in greener pastures rather than playing 2nd or 3rd string at Cronulla and any financial inducement made at this late stage by Fitzgibbon will not suffice as having a guaranteed starting position at 5/8 .

Regardless how it turns out , it was a well planned sting made by Flanagan that now has those nasty leg biters running for cover and their cheque book .

Well done Mr Flanagan !