Unexpected Flanno Twist: Dragons Star’s Shock Release Explained

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Dragons star Francis Molo is reportedly angling for a release from the club amid the shock development that he hasn’t been at training for 10 days.

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Molo is reportedly refusing to attend club training sessions and told “those close to him” he has played his last game for the Red V.

The club has granted him leave, but are reportedly considering handing down a breach notice for his failure to attend training.

It’s unknown what Molo’s issue is with the club, but journalist Michael Carayannis has revealed that it isn’t because of a deteriorated relationship with coach Shane Flanagan.

“Frank Molo hasn’t been at Dragons training for ten days now which is remarkable it’s taken this long to come out as he’s a big name,” Carayannis said Thursday morning on SEN radio.

“He’s intimated to those close to him that he doesn’t want to be at the Dragons anymore. He wants out.

“What those reasons are I’m not exactly sure. Speaking to people, apparently his relationship with Shane Flanagan is really good. It’s not like there’s been a fallout or off-field drama, but the fact is he’s come to the decision that he wants out.

“There’s been informal talks between his agent and the Dragons regarding a release. The Dragons have intimated that they won’t give him one, at least initially, but he also hasn’t been at training. He’s been given leave.

“I just don’t think we’ll see Francis Molo back at the Dragons. If you are intimating you don’t want to be there and haven’t been at training for two weeks, I don’t know how you salvage the relationship.”

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Molo is set to sit down with St George Illawarra powerbrokers next week to discuss his playing future.

The enforcer’s management will reportedly seek an immediate release, while Dragons bosses are unlikely to meet his demands.

Molo’s brother, Michael, remains contracted to the club and Francis signed a fresh two-year extension during the 2024 season.

SEN co-host Joel Caine raised potential reasons why Molo desperately wants out given his relationship with Flanagan is reportedly rosy.

“If I’m a Dragons fan listening to this and you’ve told me he’s got a good relationship with Shane Flanagan, I’m thinking well he’s obviously had a falling out with a player or playing group. That’s the only thing I can ascertain,” Caine said.

“Or has someone got in his ear and there’s a spot at another club for him.

“Potentially,” Carayannis responded.

“Maybe it’s more money, maybe it’s a third year, maybe it’s a club he thinks he can win a premiership at. This situation is going to play out over the next couple of weeks.”

Zac Lomax, Ben Hunt and Jack Bird were all granted releases from their respective contracts in 2024, but the Dragons reportedly want Molo to remain at the club.

He arrived in 2022, having tallied 138 first grade games across his time at the Cowboys and Dragons, emerging as a key figure in the Red V forward pack in 2024.

Flanagan’s attempts to sign free agent prop Matt Lodge have also recently hit a roadblock, with the former Roosters front rower completing a medical.

They offered a one-year minimum wage contract to the 29-year-old, but Lodge’s management were unable to reach an agreement with Dragons bosses.

Given the Dragons’ interest in adding another prop, if Molo was to leave, it would leave the club thin at that position.

“The concerning thing for the Dragons is that even with Francis Molo in the squad, they’re still looking for a middle,” Carayannis said.

“Without him, their middle rotation is diabolical. He may not be a marquee player but for the Dragons, he’s so important as they don’t have any genuine, really good middle players.

“If Francis Molo leaves and they can’t replace him, they can’t play finals football. They’ll just get rolled through the middle.”