澳大利亚橄榄球联赛球队圣乔治伊拉瓦拉龙队宣布签约32岁半卫科迪·尼科利马，双方达成两年合同，为2027赛季的进攻锋线阵容增添深度[1]。尼科利马目前效力海豚队期间表现处于职业生涯最佳状态[1]。与此同时，龙队教练迪恩·杨已与俱乐部续约两年，合同中还包含2029年的俱乐部选项[1]。
这一系列举措是龙队"边界防线"本地人才保留政策的重要组成部分[1]。龙队正推进与本地年轻双胞胎兄弟托比和瑞恩·库奇曼的续约谈判[1]。俱乐部首席执行官蒂姆·沃茨福德表示："我们有来自董事会的充分支持，以确保这家俱乐部培养并保留球员"[1]。这项政策的制定背景为，龙队在2010年夺得上一次联赛冠军的阵容中有11名球员来自该地区[1]。
预计到2029年，新西兰、巴布亚新几内亚和珀斯将新增2-3支球队，这将创造超过100个职位[1]。龙队通过加强本地人才的培养和保留，为联赛即将扩展做出积极准备。
The St George Illawarra Dragons have signed 32-year-old halfback Cody Nicolau on a two-year contract ahead of the 2027 season.[1] Nicolau, who is currently performing at the peak of his professional career with the Dolphins, will bolster the Dragons' attacking lineup options.[1]
The recruitment move aligns with the club's "Border Force" local talent retention strategy, which has intensified as the league prepares for expansion.[1] Dragons coach Dean Young has also committed to the club through an extended two-year deal with a club option through 2029.[1] CEO Tim Watsford emphasized the organization's commitment, stating: "We have full support from the board to ensure this club develops and retains players."[1] The club is simultaneously advancing contract negotiations with twin brothers Toby and Ryan Kuchman, young local talents central to this retention plan.[1]
The strategic focus on homegrown talent reflects lessons from the club's past success. The Dragons' last premiership-winning team in 2010 featured 11 players from the local region.[1] This investment in local development comes as the league anticipates the addition of two to three new teams across New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Perth by 2029, which is expected to create over 100 positions across the competition.[1]