Another Dragons disaster as new half departs after a week, Raiders add forward by StuffsEarth

St George Illawarra are back to square on in the halves department after news broke that new signing Ronald Volkman is to depart following medical tests that revealed a long-standing shoulder issue.

The 21-year-old joined from the Warriors to compete with Kyle Flanagan for a starting berth, but leaves the Dragons after just a week with his new club, all of which was done in the yellow vest worn by players who are training without contact.

Now, new coach Shane Flanagan is again left scrambling for a partner for Ben Hunt, with only son Kyle on the books as a recognisd half.

Volkman joined just before the Christmas break, in the same week in which the Dragons were knocked back by two options, Tom Dearden and Jack Welsby, as well as losing Junior Amone, who had his contract deregistered following an assault conviction.

St George Illawarra, according to media reports, had not registered Volkman’s contract, allowing them to opt out. It is unclear where the player himself stands, though there had been prior interest from the Super League.

Canberra’s quest to find a new backrower has ended with the arrival of Zac Hosking from the Panthers.

The 26-year-old spent just one year at Penrith – enough to win a Premiership – after departing Brisbane and now will move on again, strengthening the Raiders in an area that they have long sought to improve.

He signs a three-year deal in the capital, and had been expected to join at the end of this season but has been granted an immediate release with the Panthers stating that they will look to backfill his spot with an internal promotion.

“In the brief time we’ve known Zac, and through watching him play in the NRL over the last few seasons, it’s evident that his work ethic, ability, and character will be great additions to our club,” said Joel Carbone, head of recruitment at Canberra.

“He also adds some versatility to our squad, having played several positions in his career, and we’re delighted to have him on board.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Penrith Panthers for their professionalism and transparency throughout this process.”

The Wests Tigers have been heavily linked with a standout new centre and have finally landed someone for the position – just not the man many expected.

Fans have been waiting for the announcement of Justin Olam from the Melbourne Storm, with Shawn Blore going the other way in a swap deal, only for the club to announce the signing of Q Cup standout Solomona Faataape.

The Olam deal may well still go through, with Faataape added for depth. His record in Queensland is exceptional, with 16 tries in 24 games last year, where he was named Player’s Player of the Year at the Easts Tigers club, who picked up the Premiership.

Faataape was at Concord for the Tigers’ first session of the new year and got immediately to work.

“It’s an awesome setup we have here, and I’ve really enjoyed my first day at my new club,” said the 23-year-old.

“All the boys and coaching staff been so welcoming and have made me feel right at home.”

CLICK HERE for a seven-day free trial for your favourite sport on KAYO

NRL Transfer Centre

Team by team, here’s how each club’s roster is shaping up. PO denotes player option, CO club option and MO mutual option.

Brisbane Broncos

2024 recruits

Fletcher Baker (Roosters), Jaiyden Hunt (Dragons), Kurt Capewell (Warriors)

2024 departures

Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Keenan Palasia (Titans), Tom Flegler (Dolphins), Logan Bayliss-Brow (unsigned), Kurt Capewell (Warriors)

Canberra Raiders

2024 recruits

Simi Sasagi (Knights), Kaeo Weekes (Sea Eagles), Morgan Smithies (Wigan), Zac Hosking (Panthers)

2024 departures

Jarrod Croker (retired), Clay Webb (unsigned), Jack Wighton (Rabbitohs), Matt Frawley (Leeds), Harley Smith-Shields (Titans)

Canterbury Bulldogs

2024 recruits

Stephen Crichton (Panthers), Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs), Bronson Xerri (drugs ban), Stephen Crichton (Panthers), Jaeman Salmon (Panthers), Josh Curran (Warriors), Drew Hutchison (Roosters), Kurt Mann (Knights), Jake Turpin (Roosters), Poasa Faamausili (Dolphins), Connor Tracey (Sharks)

2024 departures

Jake Averillo (Dolphins), Kyle Flanagan (Dragons), Tevita Pangai jnr (retired), Kyle Flanagan (Dragons), Paul Alamoti (Panthers), Luke Thompson (Wigan), Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles), Braidon Burns (unsigned), Declan Casey (unsigned)

Cronulla Sharks

2024 recruits

Nil

2024 departures

Wade Graham (retired), Jensen Taumoepeau (unsigned), Matt Moylan (Leigh), Connor Tracey (Bulldogs)

The Dolphins

2024 recruits

Herbie Farnworth (Broncos), Tom Flegler (Broncos), Oryn Keely (Knights), Jake Averillo (Bulldogs)

2024 departures

Brenko Lee (retired), Herman Ese’ese (Hull FC), Poasa Faamausili (Bulldogs), JJ Collins (unsigned)

Gold Coast Titans

2024 recruits

Keenan Palasia (Broncos), Harley Smith-Shields (Raiders)

2024 departures

Kruise Leeming (Wigan), Joe Vuna (unsigned).

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

2024 recruits

Corey Waddell (Bulldogs), Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers), Tommy Talau (Wests Tigers), Jaxson Paulo (Roosters), Aitasi James (Wests Tigers)

2024 departures

Kelma Tuilagi (Eels), Morgan Harper (Eels), Kaeo Weekes (Raiders), Sean Keppie (Rabbitohs), Morgan Boyle (unsigned), Latu Fainu, Samuela Fainu (Tigers)

Melbourne Storm

2024 recruits

Nil

2024 departures

George Jennings (unsigned), Jordan Grant (unsigned), Tom Eisenhuth (unsigned), Tariq Sims (Catalans), Jayden Nikorima (Catalans),

Newcastle Knights

2024 recruits

Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan), Will Pryce (Huddersfield), Tom Jenkins (Panthers), Jack Cogger (Panthers), Jed Cartwright (Rabbitohs)

2024 departures

Dominic Young (Roosters), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Warrington), Adam Clune (Huddersfield), Simi Sasagi (Raiders), Lachlan Miller (Leeds), Fa’amanu Brown (Hull FC), Oryn Keeley (Dolphins), Kurt Mann (Bulldogs), Dane Aukafolau (unsigned), Hymel Hunt (unsigned), Jack Johns (unsigned)

NZ Warriors

2024 recruits

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (All Blacks), Chanel Harris-Tavita (sabbatical), Kurt Capewell (Broncos)

2024 losses

Viliame Vailea (Cowboys), Bayley Sironen (Catalans), Brayden Wiliame (retired), Josh Curran (Bulldogs)

North Queensland Cowboys

2024 recruits

Jake Clifford (Super League), Viliami Vailea (Warriors)

2024 departures

James Tamou (retired), Peta Hiku (Hull KR), Mitch Dunn (unsigned), Ben Hampton (unsigned), Gehamat Shibasaki (unsigned), Jake Bourke (unsigned), Brendan Elliot (unsigned), Riley Price (Panthers)

Parramatta Eels

2024 gains

Kelma Tuilagi (Sea Eagles), Morgan Harper (Sea Eagles).

2024 departures

Josh Hodgson (retirement), Jack Murchie (Huddersfield), Andrew Davey (retirement), Waqa Blake (unsigned), Samuel Loizou (unsigned)

Penrith Panthers

2024 recruits

Daine Laurie (Wests Tigers), Brad Schneider (Hull KR), Paul Alamoti (Bulldogs)

2024 departures

Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Jack Cogger (Knights), Spencer Leniu (Roosters), Jaeman Salmon (Bulldogs), Tom Jenkins (Knights), Chris Smith (unsigned), Eddie Blacker (unsigned), Zac Hosking (Raiders)

St George Illawarra Dragons

2024 recruits

Hame Sele (Rabbitohs), Kyle Flanagan (Bulldogs)

2024 departures

Jayden Sullivan (Wests Tigers), Zane Musgrove (Warrington Wolves), Billy Burns (unsigned), Tyrell Fuimaono (unsigned), Jaiyden Hunt (Broncos), Nick Lui-Toso (unsigned), Tautau Moga (unsigned)

South Sydney Rabbitohs

2024 recruits

Jack Wighton (Raiders), Sean Keppie (Sea Eagles)

2024 departures

Blake Taaffe (Bulldogs), Hame Sele (Dragons), Jed Cartwright (Knights)

Sydney Roosters

2024 recruits

Dominic Young (Knights), Lewis Murphy (Wakefield Trinity), Spencer Leniu (Panthers), Michael Jennings (drugs ban)

2024 departures

Fletcher Baker (Broncos), Jake Turpin (Bulldogs), Corey Allan (unsigned), Nathan Brown (unsigned), Paul Momirovski (unsigned), Ben Thomas (unsigned), Jaxson Paulo (Sea Eagles), Matt Lodge (Sea Eagles), Paul Momirovski (Leeds Rhinos), Drew Hutchison (Bulldogs)

Wests Tigers

2024 recruits

Jayden Sullivan (Dragons), Aidan Sezer (Leeds), Latu Fainu, Samuela Fainu (Sea Eagles)

2024 departures

Tuki Simpkins (unsigned), Brandon Wakeham (unsigned), Luke Brooks (Sea Eagles), Tommy Talau (Sea Eagles), Daine Laurie (Panthers), Aitasi James (Sea Eagles), Rua Ngatikaura (unsigned)