South Sydney fans are entitled to be devastated by the news Keaon Koloamatangi is on his way to NRL rivals St George Illawarra, but something had to give.

Their star forward has agreed to terms with the Dragons, who appear to have won the bidding war for the Kangaroos representative with a five-year deal estimated to be worth about $5 million from 2027.

Barring a late about-face during the 10-day cooling-off period, Koloamatangi will head to the Dragons, leaving Rabbitohs supporters with heavy hearts.

Koloamatangi was not only arguably the best at Souths last season, he’s also a local junior who played his first rugby league with Mascot Jets alongside Rabbitohs skipper Cameron Murray.

At 27, he is in the prime of his career, and coach Wayne Bennett’s decision to switch him from second row to prop last season only increased his value.

There are plenty of forwards who can handle........

© The Sydney Morning Herald