After a breakout season in the Rabbitohs’ lower grades, young gun playmaker Nicholas Quinn had attracted strong interest from several rival clubs in recent months.
The Rabbitohs had been eager to retain the young five-eighth but had struggled to reach an agreement, with a logjam of halves standing in the way of Quinn playing first grade.
With Cody Walker, Jayden Sullivan, Jamie Humphreys, Ashton Ward, and Jonah Glover all ahead in the pecking order, Quinn’s opportunities at Redfern were limited.
It now appears all but official that the Rabbitohs have lost one of their brightest young prospects, with reports suggesting the talented playmaker is set to join the St George Illawarra Dragons, according to Zero Tackle.
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The 2025 NSW Cup debutant and Jersey Flegg captain has developed a reputation as one of the most promising young halves in the competition, combining sharp vision with a strong running game.
His decision to rejoin the Dragons marks a homecoming of sorts, having started his junior career there before linking with South Sydney.
For St George Illawarra, the signing is an important one as they look to build long-term depth in the halves and strengthen their roster for the years ahead.
The move comes at a time when the Rabbitohs are already reeling from a disappointing NRL season, finishing well below expectations and missing the finals.
After another year of inconsistency and injuries, the loss of a rising playmaker adds to the growing list of challenges facing the Rabbitohs’ rebuild, with depth a key issue heading into their 2025 campaign.
Meanwhile, Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has continued to aggressively target young talent to bolster his squad, with Cronulla Sharks five-eighth and utility Daniel Atkinson also recruited for 2026.
With questions continuing to mount over the long-term viability of Kyle Flanagan and Lyhkan King-Togia as a halves pairing, there will be competition for the Dragons’ No.6 and No.7 jerseys next season.
The arrival of new blood might just be the spark that reignites the Red V’s attack in future years now.