St George Illawarra Dragons prop Francis Molo’s future in doubt after being granted leave

“I think that would bring the best out of Nicho and take a bit of pressure off him,” Johns told SEN about a move to No.1 during last year’s NRL finals.

“I don’t know what that would mean for Will Kennedy. Again, it might be shifting something around and weakening another, but I would consider that.”

Cronulla have made the finals the past three years, but have lacked that circuit-breaker needed to win a second title.

Fitzgibbon said Hynes was his halfback, and the only thing the No.7 needed was more time developing his combination with Braydon Trindall.

“In Nicho’s time in the halves for the Sharks, we’ve made the semis each year, we’ve had a couple of top-four finishes, made a prelim, he’s won a Dally M Medal, and represented his state and country,” Fitzgibbon said.

“In a sample size of three years as a half for the Sharks, Nicho has delivered pretty well.

“For us, when Nicho was injured, ‘Tricky’ [Trindall] wore the No.7, Daniel Atkinson wore the No.6, and when Hynes came back and wore the No.7, their roles didn’t change. A lot of people believe there is something in the number. For us, Nicho just needs to perform his role with the way we play … changing the number won’t change the role.

“What we haven’t had is a great deal of time with Tricky and Nicho as our halves.

“Last year was disrupted. Tricky had his time out when Nicho was playing, then Tricky played while Nicho was out. They haven’t had a great deal of time as a combination.”

Fitzgibbon said Hynes started last year in arguably career-best form, “had some turbulence in the middle of the year” – Hynes was dropped after the first Origin game – then took a long time to overcome an injury on the eve of the finals.

“He’s charging at the moment, he’s worked hard over the off-season, turned up really fit and ready to go and looks good,” Fitzgibbon said.

Cronulla had several players undergo off-season surgery, including a shoulder operation for Trindall, but expect to have a full list of players to choose from for the season-opener against premiers Penrith in Las Vegas.

They have recruited top prop Addin Fonua-Blake who has quickly earned the respect of his teammates, said Fitzgibbon, and “he has that physical presence”.

Off-contract Shark breaks silence on future

Christian Nicolussi

Off-contract Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has broken his silence about his playing future, insisting he wants to get a deal done that will continue his career in the Shire.

There were reports last weekend about Mulitalo being shopped to the Brisbane Broncos, but his new management company met with Sharks officials on Tuesday, and both parties are confident a deal will be struck.

Cronulla have Mulitalo, fullback Will Kennedy, prop Tom Hazelton and winger Sam Stonestreet all off contract at the end of the year.

Kennedy is in the process of switching management companies, which has delayed negotiations, while Hazelton has helped early talks with Newcastle who need a front-row replacement for Canterbury-bound Leo Thompson.

Cronulla chairman Steve Mace is close with Mulitalo away from the field, and when speaking to this masthead at Thursday night’s club launch and cultural event, all but assured the 25-year-old would stay put.

“I’m close with Ronnie, he’s a part of the fabric of this club, and he’s not going anywhere,” Mace said.

Mulitalo ridiculed the Broncos’ report via social media, and said: “I looked at that and had a laugh. I’ve made it clear to my management I obviously want to hopefully get something done here. I know it’s a business, I need to put food on my family, but I love this club to death, and hope it all falls into place.

“The main thing for me is to play footy. I have a team around me who know what my ambitions are and what I want to do in this game.

“I love this club, I’ve poured my heart into this place through the good times and bad times.”

Mulitalo joked wingers were poorly paid, and “I need to play halfback or become a big prop to get some coin”.

“But there’s more to it than just money,” Mulitalo said.

“Success is a big part of it, and I’m at the point of my career now where championships matter. I see it [the potential] in this group here.”

Molo’s future in doubt

Michael Chammas and Dan Walsh

The future of Dragons prop Francis Molo is in doubt after the ex-Queensland Origin forward was granted an extended absence from training on mental health grounds.

Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity, due to the sensitive nature of the issue, have told this masthead that Molo has not attended Dragons training for more than a week and is now taking a mental health leave of absence from club duties.

Molo is due to front St George Illawarra officials next week to discuss his future at the club.

Molo’s management has discussed the prospect of an early release from the final two years of his contract with St George Illawarra, though no formal release has been requested.

Molo’s management and the Dragons declined to comment when contacted. The Rugby League Players Association has been briefed on the matter and is monitoring the situation.

Molo, 30, was signed by ex-Dragons coach Anthony Griffin and joined the club after playing two Origin matches for Queensland in 2021.

He has since re-signed on a two-year deal under current coach Shane Flanagan that began this season, and most recently played for Samoa against England in November.

Molo played all but one of the Dragons games last season and is a key pillar of Flanagan’s forward pack.

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St George Illawarra’s bid to sign veteran prop Matt Lodge fell over late last week after months of negotiations with the ex-Manly forward. Lodge completed a medical with the Dragons, who were willing to offer him a near minimum-wage, one-year deal.

However, the parties failed to come to terms and Lodge, 29, remains without a contract for 2025.

Flanagan has openly conceded he is light on for experienced middle forwards, with few options on the player market.

The Dragons have one roster spot remaining in their top-30 squad, which includes several promising uncapped forwards, led by Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Hamish Stewart and Finau Latu.

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