Dragons may regain Head after Knights secure Rogers
Brad Walter and Glenn Jackson | August 19, 2008
WESTS TIGERS halfback Mathew Head has been linked with a return to St George Illawarra for next season after the Dragons yesterday lost utility Ben Rogers to Newcastle.
Rogers, who made his debut for St George Illawarra in last Friday night's win over Brisbane after joining the joint venture club mid-season from South Sydney, signed a two-year deal with the Knights.
His departure clears the way for Head to again link with the Dragons, where he played from 2003 until last season when the club released him to play in England following a spate of injuries.
Head returned to the NRL this year with the Tigers but they have opted against re-signing him and his future had appeared to be in limbo after he baulked at a move to the Warriors.
But the 26-year-old, who is considered one of the smartest playmakers in the game, has been in talks with St George Illawarra officials for some time and is believed to be close to finalising a deal with the Dragons.
Head would join Canberra forwards Michael Weyman and Neville Costigan and Melbourne back-rower Jeremy Smith as recruits for next season, while Broncos pair Tonie Carroll and Darius Boyd have also been linked to the club - although the latter now appears more likely to join the cashed-up Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, Raiders forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs's season may be over after he was hit with a hefty dangerous throw charge by the match review committee yesterday. He is facing up to seven weeks on the sidelines after driving Newcastle prop Ben Cross into the ground head first in Sunday's 38-18 win over the Knights.
The grade-four charge could be reduced to just a five-week ban with an early guilty plea.
But even five weeks on the sidelines may be enough to draw the curtain on Learoyd-Lahrs's season, with the Raiders needing to advance to the preliminary final for the former Bronco to be available again.
Brisbane hooker Michael Ennis was also charged with a dangerous throw but avoided suspension by taking an early guilty plea for his grade-one offence in Friday night's loss to the Dragons.
Melbourne back-rower Sika Manu can do the same if he pleads guilty to a grade-one contrary conduct charge for unnecessary use of the knees in a tackle on Mark O'Meley during Friday night's win over the Sydney Roosters.
* Due to a production error, a headline in yesterday's
Herald suggested Newcastle coach Brian Smith had given up on his side making the finals this season after Sunday's loss to Canberra.
The Knights are just two points out of the top eight with three games remaining and Smith believes they are still in contention for a play-off berth.
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/new...s-secure-rogers/2008/08/18/1218911574377.html
