The Dragons are thrilled to announce that Jillaroos and Sky Blues star Emma Verran (née Tonegato) has agreed to a deal to return to the club in 2027.
The deal will bring the 30-year-old back to the Dragons until at least the end of the 2029 season.
A Wollongong native and Helensburgh Tigers junior, Verran returns to the club having represented the Jillaroos on nine occasions – including in their victorious 2021 Rugby League World Cup Final – and the Sky Blues on nine occasions.
An Olympic gold medalist with Australia’s Rugby Sevens team in 2016, Verran’s introduction to the NRLW came with the Red V in 2021 where she was awarded the competition’s Dally M Medal for Player of the Year and helped lead the side to a Grand Final berth.
She spent the 2022 season with the club before joining the Sharks for their inaugural campaign the following year.
Verran is fresh off a year in which she appeared in all but one outing in Cronulla’s run towards a Preliminary Final appearance scoring nine tries, assisting on eight others, and averaging 136 run metres.
“It’s really special to be making my return to the Dragons,” Verran said.
“It’s really special to be making my return to the Dragons. I grew up in Wollongong; I got my first shot in the NRLW here at the club... It’s an exciting time.”
Emma Verran
“I grew up in Wollongong; I got my first shot in the NRLW here at the club. For me, it’s just important that I’m in the best place to look after my growing family and be where I think I’ll be able to perform at my best postpartum.
“It was a big decision for me but I’m really optimistic about the direction that the club is headed. There’s so much talent here already and the conversations that I’ve had with Crossy have been really encouraging. It’s an exciting time.”
Dragons CEO Tim Watsford believes that the signing represents a vote of confidence in the club’s leadership and is excited to welcome back a player of Verran’s calibre.
“This is an extremely pivotal moment for the club,” Watsford said.
“Emma has been a superstar of the NRLW for a number of years now and we’re so proud to be bringing her home. Her decision to return to the club speaks to the journey our women’s program is on and is a testament to the hard work that has been put in behind the scenes. Very few players possess a resumé like that of Emma’s and we cannot wait to see her back in the famous Red V.”
“This is an extremely pivotal moment for the club... We’re so proud to be bringing her home. Her decision to return to the club speaks to the journey our women’s program is on and is a testament to the hard work that has been put in behind the scenes.”
CEO Tim Watsford
Head Coach Nathan Cross echoed Watsford’s excitement labelling Verran one of rugby league’s biggest names.
“Bringing Emma back is massive for our club. She’s one of the sport’s absolute elites and players of her calibre don’t become available very often. She’s represented her country and state, she’s won a Dally M, she knows what it’s like to play in big games,” Cross said.
“Her talent and skill speaks for itself – she’s one of the game’s best players for a reason – but what stands out for me is her leadership qualities and the experience she brings. She’s going to add so much to our team and our club and we’re really excited to welcome her back in 2027.”
