MLR Dispersal Draft – Signing Update

A pair of ex-Ironworkers landed with new teams on Tuesday, with second row Charlie Hewitt confirmed by San Diego and three-quarter Ishmail Shabazz joining Old Glory. The announcements pushed the number of players signed after being selected in the Dispersal Draft to 16 out of 30 to date.

Notably four of those players ended up with teams that did not select them in the draft. In those cases the drafting team received salary cap considerations in return for the signing rights. Five teams have signed every player they drafted, and chances are good that Utah will join that list with Robbie Povey their only selection. All of LA’s selections were signed, though Tyler Rowland opted to join DC instead.

NOLA could be described as the greatest speculators of the draft. Powerhouse winger Ed Fidow is a significant addition but Nate Augspurger did not eventuate, and it appears doubtful that any of Tom Franklin, Felipe Aliaga, and Sam Malcolm will sign. Once-capped Canadian international lock or blindside flanker Callum Botchar is expected to stick with the Gold.

Neither of Houston’s front row choices have signed to date, with Dallas and Miami also thus far showing no indication of signing any of their five and four picks respectively.

Dallas saw loosehead prop Connor Grindal heading to LA, while lock or loose forward prospect Braemar Murray is likely to join the USA Hawks development side. Any of Toronto trio Mitch Richardson, Nic Benn, or Ciaran Breen would enhance the Jackals backline but none have been confirmed as of yet.

The acquisition of Sean McNulty by the Sharks could be an indication that ex-Arrows hooker Tyler Wong is heading elsewhere. Joe Basser’s domestic status would make him a welcome addition to Miami’s back row stocks, with three of the six signed classed as imports. James Sheridan is untested at pro level but has the ability to play on both sides of the front row.

*pick numbers represent the order of players selected, not their specific draft number