The rebuild in Wollongong was given a major boost this week when South Sydney second-rower Keaon Koloamatangi agreed to move to St George Illawarra Dragons in 2027.
In a huge win for Dragons coach Shane Flanagan and his long-term ambitions at WIN Stadium, South Sydney forward Keaon Koloamatangi signed a five-year contract that will see him in red and white from 2027 through to the end of 2031.
Koloamatangi will have had seven years of NRL experience and potentially 150 games under his belt by the time he moves to Wollongong, including a 2021 Grand Final appearance.
The 27-year-old recently took another step forward in his career when playing all three games for Australia in their end-of-season Ashes tour of England, adding to a represenative portfolio that also includes ten games for heritage nation Tonga and a single appearance for New South Wales.
The Dragons have hailed the landing as “one of the biggest signings in the club’s recent history“, signalling that Koloamatangi will be a “centrepiece” of their forward pack heading into the end of the decade.
Flanagan had already lured ambitious signings Clint Gutherson and Valentine Holmes to the coast and, with a slate of emerging stars coming through the ranks, the head coach recently declared that he “expects” the Dragons to make their first finals appearance since 2018 this year.
Keaon is coming in 27’ 🔴⚪️
Joining the Red V on a long-term 5-year deal.
All the details 👉 https://t.co/t3jUTILWgr pic.twitter.com/QYfQCoq6NO
— St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) January 5, 2026
Dragons CEO Tim Watsford lauded the recruitment of Koloamatangi as “a transformative moment for our club and our future“.
“Keaon is one of the premier forwards in the NRL and a proven leader,” Watsford added.
“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.”
The father of two was flown by private helicopter from Sydney to the Dragons’ headquarters on a scenic flight down the south coast before being pitched with an offer he couldn’t refuse – reportedly a contract worth close to $5m.
He will see out the 2026 NRL season with South Sydney before heading to the Dragons for 2027 pre-season in December.
