Andrew Johns believes the St George Illawarra Dragons should not overly worry about Jaydn Su’A’s decision to leave the club at the end of the season. Su’A, who had a player option that would have kept him until 2027, has opted to exit, likely influenced by the team’s poor performance this year.
Reports suggest that Su’A will join the Parramatta Eels, as coach Jason Ryles continues to reshape the Eels’ roster. Dragons CEO Tim Watsford acknowledged Su’A’s contributions to the club, expressing gratitude and wishing him well for the future.
Despite the timing of Su’A’s departure coinciding with the Dragons’ difficult season, Johns remains optimistic. He pointed out that while Su’A has been a solid player, the Dragons are well-stocked with promising young forwards, which lessens the impact of his exit. He asserted that concerns would be greater if a world-class halfback were to leave.
Additionally, Billy Slater believes that Ryles’ track record of developing back-row talent at Parramatta may have been a draw for Su’A. The forward joined the Dragons in 2022 and has made 76 appearances, earning the 2024 Dragons Medal as the club’s player of the year.
Su’A’s friendship with incoming Dragons recruit Keaon Koloamatangi could have influenced his decision to leave, which underscores the pressing need for the Dragons to turn their fortunes around. The club has recently enforced a freeze on player retention, but this did not apply to Su’A because the contract option was his choice.
The Dragons have struggled throughout the current season, experiencing ten consecutive losses and not winning a match this year, following a disappointing end to 2025. As discussions around the future of head coach Shane Flanagan intensify, attention has also turned to the performance of the club’s administration, particularly general manager Ben Haran, who has been with the club for over a decade. A board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday to address the team’s troubling form.