Before the first preseason game of his debut season with the club has even started, new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has been struck a devastating blow.
After Junior Amone, a five-eighth, was found guilty of arming himself with a hammer and chasing a worker off a roof, St. George Illawarra removed him from the team on Wednesday.
Amone, who had pleaded not guilty to the accusations of assault, will be given a sentence on December 6 and might spend up to seven years in prison.
Amone was the team’s first-choice No. 6 heading into the 2024 campaign. In the best-case scenario, he will avoid going to jail, but if he isn’t fired, he will undoubtedly face a significant ban.
The 21-year-old must be replaced by Flanagan until at least the beginning of the upcoming season.
After releasing Jayden Sullivan to the Tigers in August, the Dragons were already lacking in halves players, and Ben Hunt had been requesting a transfer for months.
The greatest player on the team, halfback Hunt, requested a release after coach Anthony Gryphon was fired, but Flanagan wouldn’t let his captain go.
The 25-year-old Kyle Flanagan, who was recently signed by the Bulldogs, has played in the halves in 70 of his 79 NRL appearances.
Only 10 of those, though, were at the five-eighth mark. Despite being a natural halfback, Flanagan Jr. switched to a bench utility position in the second half of 2023.
Additionally, usefulness Jack Bird is more seasoned than Flanagan at five-eighth, despite not having participated in the halves since Round 6 of 2022.
Bird played in the backrow for the most of the 2023 season for the Dragons, although he has worn No. 6 in 28 of his 142 NRL contests.
Young playmaker Paul Turner is also a member of the Red V, although he has only appeared in 11 NRL contests, just three of which were at five-eighth.
Turner, 23, made his NRL debut in 2020 with the Warriors, played a season for the Titans, then signed with the Dragons in 2023. He only made one appearance this season, at fullback.
The Bulldogs’ 24-year-old halfback Brandon Wakeham has played 40 NRL games and is now without a deal through 2024, so Flanagan has choices on the free market.
Kurt Mann, a utility player for the Knights, is also available for 2024 and has started 33 of his 178 NRL games at five-eighth. Another choice is Roosters 28-year-old Drew Hutchison.
Kaeo Weekes, a 21-year-old Sea Eagle, is anticipated to sign with the Raiders in place of playmaker Jack Wighton, who is headed to the Bunnies.
The Dolphins are no longer interested in veteran No. 6 Anthony Milford, who was previously the highest-paid player in Broncos history.
Although Milford’s contract with the Dolphins runs until the end of 2024, they won’t obstruct him if he can sign with another team.
The 29-year-old has been connected to a transfer to the Super League, but for the appropriate sum, he may provide the Dragons with useful depth cover.
Flanagan takes himself in his ability to bring out the best in players and is certain that he can get the former Maroons half back on track.
If Amone is fired, Flanagan will have to focus on the players who will be available for purchase on November 1 for the 2025 season.
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The 22-year-old Dearden, who has already represented Queensland, is interested in gauging his marketability after declining his club’s $2 million, three-year deal in August.
