FRIDAY AFTER NOON UPDATE:
St George Illawarra have announced further depth to their playing squad with the signing of New Zealand Warriors back-rower and NYC premiership winner Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard.
The Dragons also announced 26-year-old Will Matthews has signed a one-year contract extension, while local juniors Shannon Wakeman and Jake Marketo have signed one-year deals for 2015.
Tuimavave-Gerrard's new deal with the club has him tied to the Dragons squad until 2016, while Matthews', who made 15 first-grade appearances for the Red V in 2014 will come off contract at the end of next year's season.
Tuimavave-Gerrard, who was a member of the Junior Kiwis squad will now begin pre-season training with the Dragons alongside Junior Kiwi teammate Addin Fonua-Blake on the 27th October.
The news of the Dragons' recent signings comes in the wake of the club's decision to release NSW and Australian star player Brett Morris from the final year of his contract at St George Illawarra
FRIDAY: There have been rumblings, rumours, talk and chatter about the Dragons and the Sharks since the grand final. There is no off-season for rugby league any more.
For Dragons supporters, the drum is beating the club has salary cap problems, as much as $500,000 or $600,000 over the limit for 2015.
There are only two ways to get under the cap, either cut players or ask those to take a pay cut.
Coach Paul McGregor and new recruitment manager Peter Mulholland have the task of sifting through the player ranks.
McGregor conducted a season review a few weeks ago before he went on leave. He returns soon.
Players with uncertain futures are Brett Morris, Gerard Beale, Dylan Farrell, Jason Nightingale, Jack Stockwell, Dan Hunt and Trent Merrin.
Hunt was told to look elsewhere. As reported many times in the Leader, Morris is being chased by the Bulldogs, but has a year left on his contract.
There are members of the club's board reluctant to let him leave. Nightingale, a popular and consistent winger, has been linked with Souths. Farrell, who had two pectoral muscle operations is gone. He needs a favourable medical report before a new club signs him.
Gerard Beale has been linked with the New Zealand Warriors and the Titans. Stockwell could be headed to Manly.
In regard to the Dragons board and management the silence has been deafening. And chief executive Peter Doust needs to be transparent.
I can tell you Andrew Gray, the high performance manager is gone from the Dragons den.
He is Cronulla bound in 2015.
Former Wests Tigers strength and conditioning man Cherry Mescia has joined the Dragons.
Craig Young, longtime football manager has departed, and his son Dean Young, promoted from the Holden Cup under-20s team to be McGregor's assistant. Ben Hornby will back in charge of the under-20s team next year, a joint role he held with Young this season.
Over in the Sutherland Shire, the Sharks hold their induction day for 2015 pre-season training on Friday, October 31.
Training starts on Monday, November 3, a day before the Melbourne Cup.
Suspended coach Shane Flanagan is completing governance and duty of care courses set down by the NRL after the ASADA supplements saga.
Once he completes these courses to the NRL's satisfaction he can resume coaching.
And Ben Barba's name is mentioned about being let go by the Broncos and heading to the Sharks.
As I wrote at the start of this column, there is no off-season any more.
Should the Dragons clear the decks of some of their stars?
