One of the National Rugby League’s most experienced forwards has put to bed widespread speculation of an early mid-season departure, confirming he will see out the remainder of his contract with the St George Illawarra Dragons before his scheduled move to the Parramatta Eels in 2027.
Veteran back-rower Jaydn Su’A, who is set to make his return to the Dragons’ starting 17 this weekend after serving a three-match suspension, has already put pen to paper on a three-year deal that will see him join the Sydney-based Eels once his current tenure at the Red V wraps up at the end of the current season. The 28-year-old, who previously plied his trade with the Brisbane Broncos and South Sydney Rabbitohs before a five-season stint with the Dragons, addressed rumours of an early switch that gained traction this week, amid St George Illawarra’s poor run of form that has already ruled them out of 2024 finals contention.
Speaking to media on Wednesday, Su’a made his position clear, shutting down any talk of an immediate departure. “There have been conversations in-house, but I’m here for the rest of the year,” he said. “I just want to play my best and do whatever I can to help this club get some wins.”
Su’a has been one of the Dragons’ standout performers throughout the 2024 campaign, but was sidelined after a controversial high tackle on former Rabbitohs teammate Cam Murray in Round 7, which resulted in an immediate send-off. The suspension came just one day after Su’a formally announced his three-year deal with Parramatta, leading to unsubstantiated claims that his decision to leave the club stemmed from dissatisfaction with the development of the Dragons’ young cohort of incoming forwards. The veteran NRL representative pushed back firmly on those claims.
“I didn’t really ever think like that,” Su’a said. “I was in talks with the club early this year and obviously that stuff broke down, but at the end of the day when your time is done, it’s done. For me, it was time to look elsewhere and look for another opportunity. I’m thankful I got that, but at the end of the day, I’m here for the rest of the year and just want to go out there and put my best foot forward. I’ve been here for five years now, so I just want to go out and play.”
The former Queensland State of Origin representative also noted that he was open to extending his tenure at the Dragons, but ultimately saw the 2027 move as a critical career step. “I was open (to staying). I’m coming to that age now where the next move I make is probably vital, but I know I’ve still got some good footy left in me. Things happen for a reason and that’s been done now, so as I said, I’m still here for another six months. I’ll do what I do and I’ll give my all like I always do.”
Reflecting on his half-decade with the club, Su’a acknowledged the many struggles the Dragons have endured during his time in Wollongong, noting that the organisation is finally starting to turn a corner – even if he will not be part of that next chapter. “It’s been hard. I’ve been through a lot of dark days with this club, and you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I’m not going to be here. I’m grateful for my time here, thankful to all the people that have helped me along the way, and it is what it is.”
Much has shifted at the club since Su’a last took the field in Round 7. Former head coach Shane Flanagan has departed the club, with interim boss Dean Young taking the reins – and the side has yet to register a win under his leadership. For this weekend’s clash against the New Zealand Warriors, Young has named Su’a to start at right centre, covering for the injured Moses Suli, who is sidelined with a back issue. Su’a has spent recent weeks training with the Dragons’ NSW Cup feeder side, and has previous experience filling in at the centre position, making him the ideal emergency replacement.
After a frustrating three weeks on the sidelines, Su’a said he is eager to get back out on the field and contribute to the club for the remainder of the season. “It’s tough, but all I can do is rock up to training with a good attitude and prep the boys as well as I can. I couldn’t really do anything, so I just had to bide my time, train hard, and be ready for when I get called back in.”