Dragons NRLW coach Jamie Soward is resigned to losing several high-profile members of his squad from last year’s campaign but is buoyed by the opportunity to start fresh for the upcoming season.
The Dragons are set to be one of the hardest-hit clubs in the NRLW this year with rivals swooping in to snatch some of their biggest names but in return they've verbally agreed to terms with Dally M medal winner Raecene McGregor.
NRLW clubs have a $900,000 salary cap to spend in 2023 but legally binding contracts have not yet been sent to clubs as the CBA negotiations between the NRL and RLPA nears completion.
Clubs, however, have been busy building their rosters under verbal agreements with players, leaving the door open for further negotiations to play out once NRLW contracts are made official for signature in the coming weeks.
Jillaroos stars Emma Tonegato, Keeley Davis, Shaylee Bent, Holli Wheeler and Taliah Fuimaono have informed Soward they are all leaving in 2023 while Quincy Dodd and Talei Holmes have also signalled their intent to depart for a rival club.
Dragons captain Kezie Apps is continuing talks about extending her time with the club while Soward is open to PNG international Elsie Albert staying in Wollongong but she is yet to confirm her next move.
It's understood NSW halfback Rachael Pearson won't be re-signed with the expected arrival of McGregor and is currently a free agent for rival clubs to negotiate with once the contract window opens.
Soward said the squad shake-up was a reflection of the new expansion clubs coming into the NRLW this season.
"We pay the price for having successful players," Soward told NRL.com.
"I think we all expected it to be crazy this year but not crazy to the point that it goes against our plans.
"We have to be smart with our money. If we overpay for one of those experienced Jillaroos we couldn't fill the rest of the roster out.
"With four new teams comes four new coaches, four new philosophies and new opportunities. We simply can't compete with some of the offers being promised to players.
"We're not saying we're the only club who has been pillaged but they're all high-profile players we've lost.
"Of course we wanted to keep them but realistically you can't keep them all.
"We've stayed true to our philosophy that we want really good people who want to be here and have the same vision and goals."
McGregor, who made her NRLW debut with the Dragons in 2018, is a player Soward said he could build a team around and it would allow her to play alongside her sister Page.
"I feel like our recruitment drive so far has been centred around getting that playmaker who is elite in her spot and Raecene wants a new challenge," he said.
2022 Dally M NRLW Player of the Year - Raecene McGregor
"We've had to make some tough decisions around key positions but at the end of the day we thought getting Rae to the club would be a big benefit and to our younger players who will be able to play alongside the best player in the world.
"We've ranked girls from internationals to who want a second opportunity and players from rival clubs and there's a lot of interest out there which is pleasing.
"I look at our roster being built now and with six spots left we're in a really good position with some high-profile signings to come.
"I'm confident we'll land some big names and it will all work out for the best."