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So we have Blacker and Ellis as run-on props in the SGI Canterbury Cup side. Now for replacements of Graham, Frizell and maybe De Belin; 3 top grade forwards.
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So we have Blacker and Ellis as run-on props in the SGI Canterbury Cup side. Now for replacements of Graham, Frizell and maybe De Belin; 3 top grade forwards.
Dragons Den
NEWBIE: The Dragons have added former Panthers back-rower Kaide Ellis to their roster for the remainder of 2020. Picture: NRL Imagery
ST GEORGE Illawarra have looked to deepen its middle forward stocks with the signing of fringe Penrith forward Kaide Ellis.
The 23-year-old Dubbo product has played eight first grade games since debuting in 2018 will join the club for the remainder of the season with a chance at securing a longer-term deal.
The club will have some room to move given the departure of James Graham and Tyson Frizell from next year, while Jack de Belin is off-contract having been paid full salary over the past two seasons and court dramas drag on.
The Dragons had been linked to Canberra's John Bateman and Cowboys livewire John Asiata but club recruitment chief Ian Millward said the weight of injuries suffered across the league and the shortened season has made mid-season recruitment difficult.
"Clubs at present are reluctant to let players go due to the current wave of injuries throughout the competition, while the players themselves are nervous because there's no reserve grade at present," Millward said.
"Another challenge is that a lot of other clubs are still looking for players themselves. We fielded phone calls from the Raiders last week, as an example, who too are short on middles while we're on the phone to 14 other clubs trying to do the same thing.
"It's a cycle in the NRL at the moment. Clubs are in constant dialogue as they look to secure the required 29 players before the August 2 signing deadline."
Millward said Ellis's inclusion for the remainder of the season was key for the club's depth.
"Kaide is a very formidable figure and has been a standout in the Canterbury Cup over the past few seasons, and all the while has always being on the periphery of first grade selection," Millward said.
"Kaide comes with high credentials in regard to his attitude and work ethic and will be a good inclusion to our squad character-wise. Kaide was off contract with the Panthers and we have now presented him an opportunity to put a stake down at the Dragons moving forward.
"The key for the Dragons was to find a back-up behind our current squad."
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/6829953/dragons-bolster-forward-stocks-with-ellis-signing/
After Host let go, or chose to go?
Ellis is a good backup prop but if at the right price and if he can show a big improvement under Griffin, he could end up being a solid signing. Griffin will be in the best position to judge this one.Off-contract Dragons prop Kaide Ellis keen to reunite with former Penrith coach Anthony Griffin
Kaide Ellis believes he played his best football under Anthony Griffin at Penrith, so he is keen to reunite with Griffin at the Red V next season.
Matt Logue
NCA NewsWire
September 28, 20204:22pm
St George Illawarra struggled this season, but off-contract prop Kaide Ellis is keen to secure his future at the club to play under former Penrith coach Anthony Griffin.
Ellis is yet to secure a new deal as he also weighs up interest from back-to-back premiers the Sydney Roosters.
The Dubbo junior’s preference is to remain at the Dragons so he can reconnect with Griffin, whom he played under at the Panthers in 2018 and 2019.
Ellis believes the former Penrith and Brisbane coach is the perfect mentor to steer St George Illawarra and himself to success.
“I’d like to play under Hook again because I played my best footy under him at the Panthers,” said Ellis, who played eight games for the Dragons since joining the club from Penrith mid-season.
“I don’t have anything (contract) wise in concrete yet, but I’m hoping to get something sorted soon.
“We don’t officially know what the squad sizes are going to be next year, but there is interest there.”
Off-contract Dragons prop Kaide Ellis is keen to stay at the club to reunite with former Penrith coach Anthony Griffin (pictured). Picture: Tim Hunter.Source:News Corp Australia
In a boost for Ellis and the other uncontracted players, the NRL squads for next season are set to be locked in at 30 players.
While there is no agreement in place, there is alignment across the game that there will be 30-man squads – including four development contracts.
This would be a perfect result for fringe players like Ellis, who could have been squeezed out of a club if there was limited space on a squad.
The likes of Benji Marshall, Elijah Taylor, George Jennings, Brad Takairangi and Danny Levi still don’t have a contract for next season and beyond.
This experienced and talented list could open the door for a club to pick up a crucial piece in their premiership puzzle over the off-season.
All the remaining off-contract players have plenty to prove in the NRL for a club willing to take a punt on them.
https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/d...n/news-story/541331a67c30f636c9912f3d61fde4f6
What I have seen of him, he is out there man, dosent float my boat
From memory Melbourne had already scored 4 tries and had probably 60% of the ball. But you are right 2 carries is not enough as a prop.
HIA
Mate i just watched the first half again and i couldn't see where he picked up anything that would have required a HIA and the commentators didn't mention it...i could be wrong but i just think they took him off, weren't happy with him and he didn't get back on...
I will tell you what happened to him. The same thing that happened to Kerr and Vaughan, when the going gets tough and you have to show some balls, they are nowhere to be seen. Blake Lawrie you are green but you have guts and ticker, I wish James Graham was your forward coach. You like the chosen one, are in the honor's to meet Owen
Mate I liked him on this forum the day he picked up a football. He is tough and hard and dosent mind a scrap. He is young and raw and he should need shoulder surgery from carrying, the other so called props. Blocker Roach one of the best, loves him
