St George Illawarra Dragons roster moves

In late July 2026 the St George Illawarra Dragons intensified their rebuilding effort. On 28 July the club secured Dolphins utility player Kodi Nikorima on a two‑year contract starting in the 2027 NRL season, adding him to a recruitment wave that already included Scott Drinkwater, Luke Metcalf and Connor Watson. The sign‑on aligned with the Dragons’ “Border Force” policy of retaining promising local talent, and coach Dean Young also extended his own contract.

Three days later, on 31 July, the Dragons announced long‑term extensions for brothers Ryan and Toby Couchman, binding them to the club through at least the end of the 2030 season. The extensions were highlighted as key to the team’s future despite a recent narrow loss to the Dolphins that left the Dragons on track for the wooden‑spoon. Together, the signings and extensions illustrate the club’s strategy of bolstering its roster with both experienced imports and home‑grown players in hopes of reversing a poor season.