Canberra Raiders halfback Josh McCrone is set to receive an NRL lifeline and sign a two-year deal with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
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The 28-year-old is contracted with the Raiders until the end of next season, but it is understood the club is prepared to release him so he has greater opportunities of playing first grade elsewhere.
Dragons hooker Craig Garvey won't be included in the deal as part of a rumoured player swap.
McCrone played four games for the Raiders this season.
He was the replacement hooker for the first three rounds, but wasn't sighted again until he returned to play halfback in the round 20 clash against the Penrith Panthers.
McCrone spent the bulk of the season in the NSW Cup captaining Mounties, who won the minor premiership before going down to the Newcastle Knights in last weekend's preliminary final.
The Raiders have plenty of options in the halves for next season, with Gold Coast Titans recruit Aidan Sezer joining Blake Austin and Sam Williams in a three-way battle for two spots.
Sezer and Austin will be the Raiders' likely first-choice halves, but Williams showed this season he is capable of steering a team.
McCrone has played 133 games for the Raiders since making his debut in 2009 and represented Country Origin from 2012 to 2014.
He adds more depth to the Dragons and gives coach Paul McGregor another option in the halves behind English international Gareth Widdop and Benji Marshall.
McCrone is also capable of coming off the bench as back-up hooker, having been used there occasionally at the Raiders.
Drew Hutchison was offered few opportunities this year and was came off the bench against the Broncos in Brisbane when McGregor gambles on starting Jack de Belin at halfback.
Kurt Baptiste was preferred as the Raiders' back-up hooker behind starting dummy-half Josh Hodgson.
The Raiders could yet offer experienced hooker Glen Buttriss another contract, but it depends on whether he is picked by an English Super League club.
Buttriss has been linked with Leeds, who are narrowing down their search for imports for next season.
The Raiders are also still in the market for another prop to replace David Shillington, who has joined the Titans on a two-year deal. McCrone will be reunited at the Dragons with former Raiders star and NSW fullback Josh Dugan and second-rower Joel Thompson.
McCrone's departure comes after halfback Mitch Cornish agreed to terms with the Parramatta Eels on a one-year deal.
