The St George Illawarra Dragons have refused rising star Loko Pasifiki Tonga the opportunity to negotiate with other NRL clubs for an early release from his contract, amidst growing frustrations over his career trajectory.
Concerns about his limited NRL opportunities have led his manager, Craig Clifton, to seek clarity from the club about allowing Pasifiki Tonga to explore alternative options, as there has been no advancement into the top grade despite his ten appearances last season.
This matter has intensified following a report from the Sydney Morning Herald, which revealed that they obtained a copy of a release request letter from Clifton directed towards the Dragons.
The correspondence, addressed to Chief Operating Officer Ben Creagh and Football Manager Ben Haran on Tuesday, aimed to address the persistent neglect of the promising young player.