State of Origin representative Valentine Holmes is close to agreeing a deal to join St George Illawarra to replace the outgoing Zac Lomax.

North Queensland has given Holmes permission to negotiate with rivals over a contract through 2025. Holmes is set to be released from the final year of his lucrative contract.

According to AAP, Holmes is yet to sign a contract with the Dragons, but the club concluded talks this week with confidence a deal could be finalised.

The proposed contract would see Holmes re-employ coach Shane Flanagan, with whom he won the premiership at Cronulla in 2016, which proved to be his breakthrough.

In his first season in charge, Flanagan managed to guide the Dragons to a top-eight finish with essentially the same squad that finished 16th last season.

However, the coach now has South Sydney veteran Damien Cook and potentially Holmes at his disposal to help him continue his rebuild from 2025.

Holmes, 29, could join Jack Bird as one of two members of the 2016 Sharks squad to play for the Dragons, although Bird has been granted permission to play elsewhere in 2025.

Holmes is the ideal replacement for the departing Lomax at goal-scoring outside back after the club reluctantly released him to join Parramatta next season.

Lomax’s departure deprives the Dragons of an attacking potential and aerial threat after the 24-year-old formed a fruitful partnership with Ben Hunt when moving to the right wing this year.

Although Holmes has played center of late, he could also be an option at fullback after an inconsistent season for Tyrell Sloan, who was briefly moved to the reserves last month.

Holmes played as a wide receiver in the Sharks’ breakout 2016 season before leaving to pursue an NFL career in 2019, playing in preseason games with the New York Jets.

He has played the past five seasons with the Cowboys, but the 2024 season was not to his liking despite the team returning to the top eight.

Holmes was, however, selected to play in all three matches of Queensland’s Origin series defeat.

Wests Tigers have signed promising Canterbury winger Jeral Skelton on a two-year contract starting next year.

Skelton has shown his potential with a furious run-of-the-match performance in his six games so far, but has had to settle for chances on the wing behind Josh Addo-Carr and Jacob Kiraz for the Bulldogs.

The signing adds to a Tigers squad whose lack of depth at fullback was evident in the 2024 season, which has been affected by injuries and suspensions.