St George Illawarra Dragons teen Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga tipped to debut

The Dragons have snuck a hulking young prop into their top 30 squad - and the mystery youngster is tipped to take the NRL by storm next season.

Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga is only 19 but tips the scales at 121 kilos - six kilos heavier than Storm colossus Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

The Dragons are attempting to keep the youngster "under the radar" to take the pressure off him - not a word has been said or written about him despite the fact that he has made the club's top squad.

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But the club has massive expectations of the teenage giant and expect him to play NRL at some stage of 2025.

A NSW under 19 State of Origin player and Australian Schoolboy last season, he also led the Dragons to their first SG Ball title in over 30 years in 2024 before playing against grown men in the NSW Cup.

Shane Flanagan, head coach. Getty

The Dragons are now desperate to extend and upgrade Tonga, who is already on the radar of rival clubs despite his tender years.

"He is going to take the game by storm," predicted Craig Clifton, who manages Tonga along with former dual international Mat Rogers.

Gould focused on development

The Dogs were in the hunt for both Ryan Papenhuyzen and Ben Hunt - so have plenty of money in the kitty for 2025.

But Gus Gould is a smart operator and isn't going to spend big dollars just for the sake of it on the wrong type of player.

"We've spoken to several players who were offered to us," Gould told Wide World of Sports.

Phil Gould smiles during a tv broadcast. Getty

"We've been linked by media to any number of other players but we've never really got around to making financial offers for any of them.

"We are not in any hurry - we are happy with where we are for 2025.

"Most of our thoughts are on 2026. We have a number of promising kids to develop through to NRL level.

"If we look outside the club for recruitment, it will be to complement the kids we are developing."

The Dogs have made a steady climb up the ladder in the last couple of seasons, making the finals this year, and many expect them to challenge for a top four spot in 2025.

Rival clubs warned off young star

One of the most sought-after players on the market for 2026 is quickly becoming a person clubs are avoiding.

The young outside back, who was one of the finds of 2024, has gone to the marketplace but hasn't impressed rival clubs with his smugness or attitude during negotiations.

Word has spread through the NRL community that despite his undeniable talent, he is one to avoid.

He's under contract to his current club for next season but could be in for a rude shock the year after that unless his approach changes.

Knight ready for business

Liam Knight of the Bulldogs. Getty

Liam Knight has lost 10 kilos in his bid to get a team for 2025 and has had some interest from NRL clubs.

The former Sea Eagles, Raiders and Rabbitohs prop played for the Bulldogs for the past two seasons but managed just seven games due to a horrible knee injury.

Now in the veteran class at 29, Knight has finally overcome the injury and has showed he means business by dropping the weight.

Experienced front-rowers are hard to come by and he is in the sights of a couple of clubs from England as well as the NRL.

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