Dragons officials have reportedly pulled a rug out from under co-captain Damien Cook with contract extension negotiations suddenly put on the back burner.
It comes at a time when club powerbrokers are considering drastic action after the team’s fifth consecutive defeat.
As first reported by Code Sports, Dragons recruitment staff have been instructed to pause all contract extension talks, leaving at least eight players stranded beyond the conclusion of the 2026 season.
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That decision comes with senior club officials reportedly uncertain about the future direction of the club under coach Shane Flanagan.
Dragons players were booed off the field after slumping to a 0-5 start for the first time in the club’s history as calls for Flanagan’s sacking grew louder immediately following Saturday’s 32-0 loss to the Cowboys.
With Flanagan facing the axe, the club is now facing further destabilisation with eight players facing uncertain futures while Dragons officials attempt to free up space in their salary cap.
Former Kangaroos international Damien Cook is one of those caught in the storm.
It was reported earlier this year Cook and the Dragons were close to agreeing to a 12-month extension through to the end of the 2027 season.
“I want to keep playing. I think pre-season is always a good guide to see where your bodies at and I’ve come out of this one feeling really good, really fit and still loving it,” Cook told foxsports.com.au in February.
“I think that’s the most important part. My body’s good and I’m still loving what I’m doing. I love going to training every day and just want to get back to footy, which is coming around soon.”
Once a highly-touted recruit, Luciano Leilua is also among the group that don’t have a contract for 2027.
Blake Lawrie, Emre Guler, Hame Sele, Christian Tuipulotu, Nathan Lawson and Tyrell Sloan are the other players who have been given the cold shoulder.
The futures of fullback Clinton Gutherson and back-rower Jaydn Su’A are also uncertain.
Code Sports reported this weekend Dragons officials are chasing Dolphins livewire Trai Fuller in a move that could see Gutherson lose his No. 1 jumper.
Queensland forward Su’A is expected to activate a clause to trigger a 12-month extension to remain in the red and white.
The messy situation is making it even more difficult for Flanagan to keep his job.
Gutherson spoke out in defence of the coach after the loss to the Cowboys.
“We’re letting him down,” Gutherson told AAP.
“He does tireless work, Shane. He leaves no stone unturned. Him and Mick and Deano. We’re just not doing it.
“We had every chance to do it in the first four weeks and we didn’t.
“And then (Saturday night) we just didn’t get a chance to play the footy we wanted to and you can’t do that in the NRL.”
Post-match Flanagan said there was no sugar coating that performance and he understands why his side was booed.
“It’s not good enough,” Flanagan said.
“We looked like we didn’t know each other at certain stages… lack of cohesion. Just very disappointing. I am just very very very disappointed.
“I haven’t got the answers for you right now but I will find them and find them quickly.”
