Despite representing Queensland last month, Jaydn Su'A is struggling to get game time with South Sydney but Wayne Bennett is certain the back-rower can revive his career at the Dragons.
The Rabbitohs coach on Thursday confirmed Su'A would leave the club to join the Dragons in 2022.
While there has been no official announcement, reports emerged on Wednesday that Su'A was set to accept a three-year deal from St George Illawarra and Bennett said: "I think that's true.
"South Sydney couldn't offer him another contract under the salary cap, so I'm pleased he's got another club.
"He's happy with the deal, he spoke to me about it and I'm happy for him," he added of the four-time Origin forward.
Despite his selection in Queensland's series-opening 50-6 loss, he has been left out of Bennett's team for the past two matches after initially being dropped to NSW Cup in round 12.
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But with Jai Arrow in Maroons camp, Su'A has been recalled on an edge for Friday's clash with the Cowboys, which has been relocated to Newcastle.
Bennett said Rabbitohs halves Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker weren't upset at being overlooked by NSW for game three.
The experienced duo had been touted as replacements for injured Panthers playmakers Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai but Blues selectors instead went with Jack Wighton and rookie Mitchell Moses.
"I didn't bother asking them [if they were disappointed], I don't think so," Bennett said of Reynolds and Walker.
How will Walker and Reynolds respond to Blues snubbing?
"Just like everybody, you'd like to be there if you get picked, but I don't think they're expecting to get picked and they're happy to be here and happy to play in Newcastle tomorrow night."
Having the elite pair on deck will assist 22-year-old Blake Taaffe, who will step into Latrell Mitchell's boots at fullback.
It will be the exciting local junior's second NRL match after he debuted off the bench in a 46-0 win over the Broncos in round 15.
"[Taaffe] is blessed with speed, which is a wonderful attribute to have, and he's highly skilled," Bennett said.
"So I think everyone will enjoy watching him play ... We think he's a wonderful young player with a great future."
What role he'll play in the future is undecided, though Taaffe has been tossed up as a candidate to replace Reynolds at halfback when the veteran moves to Brisbane next year.
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"I'm sure he can play a couple of positions, but right now we need him at fullback and that's where we've trained him and that's where he's been playing," said Bennett, who will also leave Souths at season's end.
"We'll just stay with that and won't get ahead of ourselves and see what next season brings and what we have to do there.
"I haven't seen enough of him play there [at halfback] ...But he's highly skilled and knows the game fairly well, so there's no reason why he probably couldn't step up."
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Meanwhile, Bennett advocated for one of his former players, Broncos five-eighth Anthony Milford, to be signed by another club.
Brisbane have told Milford he isn't needed next season but Bennett is sure the maligned playmaker can recapture his best.
"I would personally [sign him], absolutely, if I needed him and there was the opportunity here for him to do that," Bennett said.
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"That's not my call going forward, but at the same time, if there was another club or whatever, I think he's a wonderful player.
"He's had a bit of a tough time of it but that whole [Broncos] team has had a tough time of it, so it's just not Anthony.
"I'm sure a club will pick him up, I've got no doubt about that. I don't think the game's that flush with players that they can't pick Anthony Milford up."
