St George Illawarra appears to be an NRL club in crisis after only three players fronted to the Dragons' end of season presentation night this week.
Ben Hunt, Zac Lomax and fringe first-grader Michael Molo were the trio of stars who lobbed at Pyrmont's Doltone House on Tuesday - but the absence of everyone else fuels further speculation the Red V are an unhappy playing group.
There are also reports a number of players were spotted at nearby Star City Casino on the same night, according to SEN.
The player divide also heaps further pressure on coach Anthony Griffin, pkv poker who is off-contract at the end of 2023.
If the tension wasn't already obvious, young guns Jayden Sullivan and Tyrell Sloan have demanded releases to the Bulldogs and Dolphins respectively.
St George Illawarra appear to be a club in crisis after only three players fronted to the Dragons' end of season presentation night this week (pictured, under pressure coach Anthony Griffin)
Young gun Jayden Sullivan wants out, and the Canterbury Bulldogs are said to be circling
Sullivan is reportedly the halfback incoming Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo wants in the halves alongside Matt Burton - starting from next season.
It is understood Wayne Bennett is a fan of fullback Sloan, who is on the outer at the Dragons with Cody Ramsey the preferred no.1.
Sloan made just eight NRL appearances this year.
The joint venture outfit rejected Sloan's request and are expected to do likewise with Sullivan, whose path to first grade has been blocked after Hunt - the Dragons' player of the year - signed a new deal this week until the end of 2025.
'I think this will blow up guys, Jayden Sullivan has really been ambitious as far as wanting a future in the halves,' News Corp journalist David Riccio said this week.
Ben Hunt's future with the Red V is clear after he signed a contract extension with the club until 2025 this week
'He is a very talented young player and I understand the Bulldogs are watching this situation closely, it would be a huge blow once again for the Dragons if they were to lose another local junior.'
Dragons chairman Craig Young expects to retain Sullivan and believes the 21-year-old would be better off biding his time and learning under Hunt.
'Sometimes young players need to be patient - they end up getting a better outcome in the long term, have longer careers,' he said.
'If you're patient, get the work ethic right and all of that stuff, you want to hang around for a long time, not a short time.