Squad straight back to work for season 2024
St George Illawarra Dragons star St George Illawarra Dragons has seen his $500,000 contract torn up.
The stand-off and Tongan international who featured in the 2022 World Cup last year has been de-registered by the NRL.
This comes after Amone was found guilty of threatening a man with a hammer alongside his father. The stand-off was found guilty but unlike his father he avoided a jail sentence.
He was given a correctional sentence with 300 hours community service and following this, as the judge in the case warned, the NRL were harsh with their treatment of Amone.
They chose to de-register Amone with his $500,000 deal now off the table who will now face a year out of the NRL.
The stand-off now faces an uphill battle to return to the competition which, like others who have landed themselves in trouble in the NRL in the past, could see him move to Super League.
St George have already replaced Amone. They moved to sign Jack Welsby but missed out on the St Helens fullback who signed a long term extension with the club which will keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2027 season.
Following their inability to sign Welsby from St Helens, they moved for New Zealand Warriors halfback Ronald Volkman.
Though not officially confirmed, the Daily Telegraph have reported that it has been confirmed. They stated:
“St George Illawarra have signed Warriors half Ronald Volkman in an immediate deal.
“The two parties agreed to a contract on Friday with Volkman to link up with the Dragons for 2024.
“It is understood the deal is just for 12 months. The Dragons needed some cover in the halves, with Talatau Amone set to have his NRL contract deregistered.
“Volkman, 21, has played five games since making his debut from the Warriors last year.
“Meanwhile the Wests Tigers have suffered a blow, with talented youngster Junior Tupou agreeing to join the Dolphins in 2025 on a three year deal. Tupou made his international debut for Tonga in 2023, playing against England in October.”
So, could this help prompt Amone to begin his comeback in Super League like many others? He would make a great signing.
