NRL Market Watch: Josh Kerr to leave Dolphins and rejoin the Dragons
Kerr is expected to take up an offer until the end of 2027 to return to St George Illawarra after the Dolphins were unable to retain him beyond this season.
Interestingly, the Dragons released Kerr midway through the 2023 season with 18 months remaining on his contract to join the Dolphins.
That was before Shane Flanagan arrived at the club with Kerr let go just after Anthony Griffin was sacked at the Dragons. Since joining the Dolphins, Kerr has played 43 top grade games including 16 this year.
He made his debut for St George Illawarra in 2019 and went on to play 68 top grade games for the club before his departure.
His form has been so good for the Dolphins this year he was included in the extended squad by coach Billy Slater for game three of this year's series.
However, his celebrations of the Maroons' series win were soured when he was hit with a $10,000 fine following comments he made about referee Ashley Klein the morning after Queensland's victory.
Kerr was targeted by Super League clubs and it is understood he weighed up a move to England before opting to remain in the NRL and rejoin St George Illawarra.
He will add experience to a forward pack which is filled with rising stars. Kerr joins Cronulla's Daniel Atkinson in joining the Dragons from next year.
They have lost Jack de Belin (Eels), Jonah Glover (Rabbitohs) and Sione Finau (Canberra). St George Illawarra also have a two year offer on the table to in-form Tigers player Adam Doueihi.
The Dragons were believed to be in the box seat to sign Doueihi after the Tigers only offered a 12-month deal but they have since upped their offer to two seasons following his starring role for the club in their win over the high-flying Bulldogs on Sunday.
Kerr is the latest addition to the Dragons squad as they begin to reshape the side to put themselves in contention to return to the finals next season.
It is understood the club would consider allowing wingers Mikaele Ravalawa and Tyrell Sloan out of their deals should they find other options while Blake Lawrie is also be free to go.
Ravalawa, currently at Souths on loan for this season, and Lawrie have 12 months lefts on their deals while Sloan has another two years. NRL
While legend Benny Elias called it 'ugly hatred', the NRL's slap on the wrist for the Tigers players who insulted Bulldogs fans on the weekend is just right, writes Brent Read. NRL
West Tigers centre Brent Naden has been hit with a breach notice after the NRL's investigation into his 'khawd' celebration against the Bulldogs, with a trio of other stars officially warned.
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