Valentine Holmes in massive NRL development amid $2.5 million contract backflip at Cowboys
Holmes had looked all set to stay in North Queensland and see out his contract.
The St George Illawarra Dragons have pulled off another massive coup for next season, with reports Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes has agreed a $2.5 million deal to reunite with coach Shane Flanagan next season. The Cowboys had given Holmes permission to speak with rival NRL clubs for next season - despite being contracted until the end of 2025 - but it emerged this week that he'd spoken with family and decided to see out his deal with North Queensland.
However, in another twist to the saga, The Daily Telegraph has reported that Holmes has officially agreed a three-year deal with the Dragons from next year and will be released from the final year of his contract at the Cowboys. Dragons coach Flanagan had made no secret of his desire to sign a player he won a premiership with at the Sharks in 2016. The deal is expected to be officially confirmed on Wednesday.
The Dragons are set to lose Zac Lomax at the end of this season and Holmes is a quality replacement for the NSW Origin star as a goal-kicking outside back. The Holmes signing is the second major addition to Flanagan's Dragons side for 2025, with former representative hooker Damien Cook also agreeing a move from South Sydney earlier this year.
The Holmes news comes after Fox League's James Hooper suggested the Maroons star's family wanted to stay in Townsville and that he would turn his back on the Dragons and see out his contract in North Queensland. “Shane Flanagan has flown up there and had a meeting with Val, I think it was all tracking in the right direction but it’s hit a stumbling block,” Hooper told NRL 360 on Monday night. “I think Val has gone back to the club and said ‘you know what, I’ve spoken to my family and I’m actually thinking I might prefer to see out my contract’.
“He’s got next year to run as well, so the Cowboys have now got to try and manoeuvre the situation to get the best result.” Veteran league reporter Phil Rothfield labelled it a "strange" move from Holmes, considering he would be turning down a significant amount of money and the chance to secure his long-term future by turning his back on the Dragons.
“That’s a pretty strange move in that Val will be guaranteed what $800,000 at the Cowboys next year or whatever,” Rothfield said. “If he goes to St George Illawarra, he gets three years of (his salary) so he’s thinking about his family.” Holmes' deal with the Dragons will see him pocket $750,000 per season, which is less than he's on at the Cowboys but crucially sees him secure another two years on big money.
Cowboys linked with move for Reagan Campbell-Gillard
The move could also pave the way for North Queensland to make a move for Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who Hooper reports has been told by the Eels is free to join a rival club next season. The initial reports that Holmes was going to be staying in North Queensland appeared to scupper any move for Campbell-Gillard, considering he is reportedly earning $750,000 per season and Parramatta would not be willing to chip in any of his salary if he joins a rival club.
Hooper says the Eels have been struggling to offload Maika Sivo and Ryan Matterson so they've told Campbell-Gillard he's free to leave next season - despite being contracted at the club for 2025. The former NSW Origin and Kangaroos front-rower showed his professionalism and class to put the contract uncertainty aside and play a starring role in Parramatta's gutsy two-point defeat to three-time reigning premiers Penrith last week. The Eels were on the brink of a shock upset before the Panthers scored three tries in three minutes at the death, to snatch a 36-34 win.
