The St George Illawarra Dragons have officially denied forward Luciano Leilua’s request for an immediate release from his contract, according to reports from ESPN. The decision mandates that the 30-year-old remains with the club for the remainder of the 2026 NRL season.
Leilua sought the release earlier this week after being dropped to the NSW Cup. Despite the demotion, the club has signaled that it has no intention of granting an early exit, expecting the experienced back-rower to continue contributing to their forward rotation. Leilua has made 11 NRL appearances for the Dragons during the 2026 campaign.
This development occurs amidst a broader roster overhaul currently being managed by interim coach Dean Young. The club is in a period of transition following the earlier departure of Shane Flanagan, with several players facing uncertain futures. Recently, the Dragons also informed center Moses Suli that he is free to explore options for 2027, highlighting the management’s aggressive approach to restructuring the team’s long-term composition. As the season progresses, the Dragons continue to assess their squad depth and future direction, with Leilua remaining a part of their immediate plans.