The St George Illawarra Dragons are circling two out of favour Test forwards and according to Paul Crawley writing for The Australian, they have the space to sign both, as long as they come at the right price.

The Dragons were linked to Cowboys firebrand Josh McGuire before the start of the season with head coach Anthony Griffin revealing he had been eyeing off McGuire to โ€œstrengthen the middle of the parkโ€.

NRL guru Phil Gould thought the move a "likely scenario" at the time because the pair know each other well and are both from Rockhampton.

With the latest news that the Cowboys don't see a future for McGuire at the club, the switch is back on the cards.

It's also reported that the Cowboys could be interested in a player swap of halfback Adam Clune for McGuire, with both players having a year to run on their contracts.

But McGuire might not be the only forward moving to the Dragons mid-season, with interest for highly paid Sharks forward Andrew Fifita still very much in the works.

SEE ALSO: Cowboys left with no choice but to deep dive into player market

Fifita is on a monster contract of $800,000 per season that doesn't expire until the end of next season, so likely the Sharks would have to pay some of the freight to move Fifita on.

Considering the Sharks have been paying the massive wage while Fifita languishes in reserve grade, that option could be quite appealing to the club.

3 COMMENTS

  1. There are more negatives than positives in this situation. Firstly, the Dragons already have 6 players 30+ in their squad, so adding Fifita & Maguire puts their pack of forwards in the Dad’s Army category. Secondly, I don’t like the possibility of Adam Clune leaving the club. Without him they have no experienced halfback/five-eighth backup. The positive is that Maguire is fit and experienced, and if Griffin uses him sensibly he could be an asset to the team. Andrew Fifita’s career seems to be coming to an end with Cronulla, and if he is used sparingly he could be good value for the teams attacking game.

  2. I’m not thrilled about either coming to the Dragons. Yet, both can add value via football experience and toughness. So long as they are not signed long term. Make them earn each year at a time. We don’t want or indeed need 30 somethings taking up the cap space for years well past their playing years.

  3. The Dragons are keen on a deal to also get Billy Burns . With Eddy Blacker as a swap.
    Next season Penrith probably wonโ€™t have Sorenson or Capewell. Burns is a good hole runner & top try scorer from the 2019 season in Canterbury Cup for Penrith, from the second row.
    Penrith should re-sign Burns & tell the Dragons no way. Give him more first grade this year & especially next season.
    Itโ€™s a better deal for the Dragons than Penrith. You can pick up a big prop anywhere, if required. Even from the Queensland Cup.

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