‘Tells you everything’: Keaon Koloamatangi move confirmed in huge blow to the Bunnies

The Dragons are trumpeting what they say is “one of the biggest signings” in the club’s recent history after imposing forward Keaon Koloamatangi agreed to a five-year deal worth a reported $5m.

Koloamatangi had already agreed to terms, but the Dragons had to wait for the cooling-off period to expire before they could announce they’d poached him from the Rabbitohs.

This is a deal Dragons fans have been desperate for after the club had aimed high but missed out on key signings in previous years.

It’s a coup for coach Shane Flanagan who now has one of the best forwards in the world at his disposal to help bring through the club’s next generation of stars led by the Couchman brothers, Hamish Stewart and Dylan Egan.

Koloamatangi attracted interest from the Eels, while the Rabbitohs were keen to keep the Mascot Jets junior who spent six seasons at the club and is fresh off his best year in the NRL after making the move to the middle.

The key forward trimmed down in the off-season after “ditching acai bowls” and cracked 200 running metres three times in his most consistent season.

“I’m excited to be joining the Dragons,” Koloamatangi said.

“The club’s ambition really impressed me. I’ve been watching the squad they’re building and the young forwards coming through, and I want to be part of driving that next era.

“I’ve loved my time at Souths, but I am looking forward to bringing my experience, my standards and everything I’ve got to the Red V.”

A helicopter ride from Sydney to Wollongong helped secure the deal, with the 27-year-old Kangaroos representative to make the move at the end of the season.

It’s a massive blow to the Bunnies who are short on middles having already lost Davvy Moale to the Storm for 2026.

“This is a transformative moment for our club and our future,” Dragons chief executive Tim Watsford said.

“Keaon is one of the premier forwards in the NRL and a proven leader.

“He’s someone who drives standards every single day. He had significant interest elsewhere, so the fact that he chose to join the Dragons – and commit for five years – tells you everything about where we are heading.

“We have a group of exceptional young forwards coming through our system, and bringing in a leader of Keaon’s calibre to guide and inspire them is critical for us.”

Flanagan won a competition in 2016 with a dominant prop forward in Andrew Fifita, and he now has a key piece of the puzzle that he can build around as the Red V look to become a finals force again.

“We have always wanted to bring elite representative players to the Dragons and Keaon is exactly the type of team member we have been searching for,” Flanagan said.

“Pairing him with the young pack we have coming through is going to be something our members and fans will relish.”