Jamie Soward has launched an impassioned defence of St George Illawarra's NRLW roster, insisting his team is on the verge of a bright era despite losing all six of their Australian representatives to rivals.
Grand finalists in the first of two competitions last year, the Dragons are set for a roster overhaul after several big-name players decided to move elsewhere for the expanded 10-team competition in 2023.
Emma Tonegato will be the highest profile of those, with AAP told the superstar fullback is set to join Cronulla on a marquee player deal.
The dual-code star was the Dally M Medallist in last year's early-season competition, and later in the year earned a recall to the Australian squad.
Captain Kezie Apps informed the club on Thursday she would move to Wests Tigers, surprising officials given she is a local junior and long-term employee .
Keeley Davis is set to take up a deal with the Sydney Roosters, while Shaylee Bent has signed with Gold Coast and fellow Jillaroos Tahlia Fuimaono and Holli Wheeler are also on the way out.
But coach Soward is adamant he has a highly competitive roster, amid mass movements across the league.
The Dragons signed reigning Dally M Medallist Raecene McGregor from the Sydney Roosters this week, while Ella Koster has joined from rugby union with more recruits yet to be announced.
"When the best player in the world (McGregor) believes in what you are selling and where you want to take the club, that is a huge coup for us" Soward told AAP.
"You put in some other Test players, Page McGregor. Plus mix it with a lot of youth who are the best in their age group.
"My future is at the Dragons. I am not building the program for overnight. I am the most relaxed and I am sleeping the best I have slept in a long time."
Beyond the Jillaroos, the Dragons are expected to lose powerful Papua New Guinea prop Elsie Albert to Parramatta.
NSW State of Origin hooker Quincy Dodd is another Dragon on the move to Cronulla.
But Soward claimed it was unfair to judge his roster based on who was leaving, with new faces likely across every team and the Dragons signing most players on multi-year deals.
"Don't be naive to think that the world revolves around just the Australian Jillaroos," Soward said.
"Look at the competition as a whole.
"We've got a roster I think can be super competitive.
"We know we've done our research. Just because they're not people you have heard of, doesn't mean they're not any good."
Elsewhere, Canberra are close to landing another coup with Queensland five-eighth Zahara Temara closing in on signing with the Raiders from the Roosters.
Roosters prop Sarah Togatuki is on the move to Wests Tigers, but the Tri-colours will keep Jess Sergis after interest from the joint-venture.
