Articles

[getsmarty]

STATE OF ORIGIN


Frizell wants WA fans to back Blues in Perth Origin
Author
Martin Lenehan NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Wed 5 Dec 2018, 07:01 PM

NSW Blues forward Tyson Frizell knows next year's historic State of Origin venture into Perth will be a moment to savour. What he's not sure of is which team neutral fans will get behind.

Since 1990, nine Holden State of Origin matches have been played on neutral territory in Melbourne but the crowd support has been anything but 50/50.

Whether it was the presence of so many Melbourne Storm stars in the Maroons side, or simply a distaste for all things NSW, the "neutrals" in the southern capital have thrown their support behind Queensland.

When league's showpiece heads to Perth on June 23, 2019, Frizell is hoping the defending Origin champions can win over the crowd and potentially wrap up the series.

"If we can start well and win the first game [in Brisbane] then we'll need a lot of NSW fans over there in Perth to get behind us and get us over the line,” Frizell told NRL.com.

"It's a sensational stadium in Perth but we don't know what to expect from the fans.

NSW Blues forward Tyson Frizell. NRL Photos
"There will be lots of people watching Origin for the first time so hopefully, we can convert them into Blues fans. Origin is a game like no other and Perth fans will be looking forward to it.

"We'll need lots of our NSW fans to travel over as well and make a weekend of it and give us a lift."

With the series opener in Brisbane and game two in Perth, the task of becoming the first NSW team to win back-to-back series since 2005 is a daunting one, but Frizell is adamant the Blues will be ready.

"It feels a long way off but planning has started already and Brad Fittler has named a 32-man squad for a camp in December," Frizell said.

"He'll be putting a lot of thought into it already and all the boys are excited about trying to defend the title.

“We had a very young squad this year and all those guys want to be part of it again.”

Fittler's men need look no further than the Maroons in 2009 and 2012 for evidence that the reigning champs can defend their title despite playing the first two games away from home.

In 2009, Darren Lockyer's Maroons took out the first match in Melbourne and game two in Sydney to wrap up a fourth series win in a row.

Three years later, Queensland again won the opener in Melbourne but then lost the second match in Sydney before returning home to Suncorp Stadium to win the decider.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/12/06/frizell-wants-wa-fans-to-back-blues-in-perth-origin/

 

[getsmarty]

MEDIA RELEASE


Holden State of Origin 2019 tickets
Author
NRL Media Release NRL Media
Timestamp
Thu 6 Dec 2018, 10:00 AM

Tickets will be available from $50 for Holden State of Origin matches in Sydney and Brisbane in 2019.

General Public Tickets are now on sale for Holden State of Origin I, at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on June 5, and Game Three, at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on July 10.

The NRL has also released an additional round of tickets for Holden State of Origin II, at Perth's Optus Stadium on June 23.

Tickets for Games One and Three are available from $50 for Club Members and $55 for General Public. Family tickets will be available from $145 for Members and $160 for General Public.

"Origin is the biggest sporting rivalry in Australia and we will no doubt witness an incredible spectacle in 2019," NRL Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Abdo said.

"With NSW the incumbent Shield holders, there will no doubt be unprecedented interest in next year's series.

"The 2019 series will also see us take a game to Perth for the first time.

"There has already been incredible interest in Game Two and we would encourage supporters in NSW and Queensland to get in early to ensure they can experience the historic first ever Origin in Perth."

Tickets will be available from nrl.com/tickets.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/12/06/holden-state-of-origin-2019-tickets/

 

[getsmarty]

WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE


Time has arrived for female coaches in NRL clubs
Author
Brad Walter NRL.com Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Thu 6 Dec 2018, 12:02 PM

St George Illawarra assistant coach Alicia-Kate Hawke believes an explosion in the number of female coaches will soon lead to the first woman being appointed to a senior coaching position with an NRL team.

Hawke worked alongside Daniel Lacey this season as assistant coach for the Dragons women's teams in the NRLW, U18s Tarsha Gale Cup and U16s Lisa Fiaola Cup competitions.

Besides Lacey, St George Illawarra boasted an all-female coaching staff for the club's women's teams, which also included long-time Jillaroos trainer Pam Goodridge and strength and conditioning coach Danielle Gallagher.

Tammy Fletcher, who was a member of the Hawke-captained Dragons side who played Cronulla in an historic fixture two years ago at Shark Park, will come on board as team manager next season, while teenage Jillaroos star Keeley Davis is also set to be involved in the coaching structure.

The likes of Hawke and Warriors NRLW coach Luisa Avaiki are at the forefront of a boom in female coaches, with numbers increasing by 33 percent from 622 in 2016 to 975 this year.

Keeley Davis in action for the Dragons. NRL Photos
"There are definitely a lot more females involved now and it is exciting how quickly things are evolving so it is so good to be a part of this change," Hawke said.

"This is a big history-making moment for everyone and to be a part of it has been cool. The Dragons have been encouraging and supportive in providing opportunities to learn.

"It's not just tokenistic but it comes with the trust to do the job so I have been really grateful and that has given me the confidence to learn more and more."

Big names lead National Coaching Conference

While Avaiki is the only female head coach of an NRLW or international side, Hawke predicts it is only a matter of time before a woman is given a senior coaching role with a men's NRL team.

"I don't think that is unrealistic," she said. "Everyone is now taking it seriously as a profession and it is growing.

"You can't compare the two at the moment but it won't be a long until there is no difference between the men's and the women's games."

Hawke's view is supported by recent developments in NFL, which culminated last week in former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice being briefly linked to the Cleveland Browns head coaching role after the franchise's GM John Dorsey said he'd consider a female for the role.

NRLW top five tries of 2018

The number of female coaches in the NFL has this year grown from one - Arizona Cardinals assistant linebacker coach Jennifer Welter - to four, with Kathryn Smith becoming the first woman appointed to a full-time coaching position.

In contrast, Hawke has to combine her coaching roles for St George Illawarra with work as a school teacher.

However, the growth of women's rugby league is set to create more coaching roles and provide opportunities for female players to remain in the game that weren't previously available to them.

NRLW top five big hits of 2018

"There is a market for females to be involved with female teams but what we are going to see more and more is that as the current players with all of their knowledge start to step down they will want to stay involved as coaches now," Hawke said.

"They have got a lot more confidence within the game and with how the game is growing so we are going to see a huge influx of ex-players and people who have been around the game for a long time stepping into the coaching roles, particularly at the professional level."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/12/06/time-has-arrived-for-female-coaches-in-nrl-clubs/

 

[getsmarty]

OPINION


Fans' predictions: Where each club will finish in 2019
Author
NRL.com
Timestamp
Thu 6 Dec 2018, 09:05 AM

After another week of big signings – led by a high-profile coach swap – NRL fans have fine-tuned their predictions for where all 16 clubs will finish on the ladder in 2019.

With more than 210,000 votes cast in NRL.com's polls asking where each club will rank, the Roosters, Rabbitohs, Storm and Panthers make up the top four with Newcastle squeezing into the top eight.

The big movers in voting this week were the Brisbane Broncos, who jumped from seventh to fifth in the fans' predicted rankings after finally settling their coaching situation for 2019 – with Anthony Seibold replacing Wayne Bennett on Sunday.

The switch between Brisbane and South Sydney looks to have improved both clubs' prospects with Bennett's Rabbitohs enjoying a 3% bump in voting to win the 2019 premiership.

Meanwhile there was a mixed response to Cronulla's signing of former Warriors half Shaun Johnson, with the vote for them winning the competition increasing at the same time as support for them to make the finals dropped for the second straight week following the exit of Valentine Holmes. They've slipped in the rankings from sixth to seventh.

Johnson speaks to Sharks Media

NRL.com has been running fan polls for all 16 clubs, asking readers whether they expect each club to finish 2019 as premiers, as a top-eight side, just outside the playoffs or near the bottom of the ladder.

Using a formula of two points for every vote a club gets to win the premiership, one point for top eight, -1 for just missing the finals and -2 for bottom of the ladder, here are the rankings for the 16 clubs.

Premiers 2nd to 8th 9th to 12th 13th to 16th
1. Roosters 49% 43% (+1) 3% 6%
2. Rabbitohs 27% (+3) 58% (-2) 10% (-1) 5%
3. Storm 18% 69% 9% 5%
4. Panthers 20% (-1) 59% (+1) 15% 6%
5. Broncos 22% (+2) 49% 20% (-2) 8% (-1)
6. Dragons 21% 49% 23% 7%
7. Sharks 11% (+3) 59% (-5) 21% 8% (+1)
8. Knights 9% 58% 25% 9%
9. Cowboys 15% (-1) 39% (-1) 31% 14%
10. Wests Tigers 9% 38% (-) 35% 18%
11. Warriors 7% 30% (-1) 36% 27% (+1)
12. Raiders 5% (-1) 25% (-1) 48% 21%
13. Sea Eagles 8% 25% 28% 40% (+1)
14. Titans 3% 20% 33% 44% (+1)
15. Bulldogs 6% 15% 25% 54%
16. Eels 5% (-1) 10% (-1) 19% 65% (+1)
As of December 6

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/12/06/fans-predictions-where-each-club-will-finish-in-2019/

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons 2019: Kerr edging closer to elusive NRL debut

• 
  Mitch Jennings

Dragons Den

STEPPING UP: Dragons prop Josh Kerr is confident he can make a long-awaited NRL debut in 2019. Picture: Dragons Media

THE fact young Dragons prop Josh Kerr is yet to make his NRL debut is a head-scratcher for some, but the 22-year-old has never expected a saloon passage to the top grade.

The signing of the former Melbourne NYC star two years ago brought plenty of excitement from Dragons fans who expected him to make an immediate step up to the top grade.

What few realised was that the Redcliffe Dolphins product was a novice in the front row game, having come through the junior ranks as an outside back.

“I actually grew up playing in the centres, I idolised Greg Inglis and wanted to be like him,” Kerr said.

“I was 19 when I went down to Melbourne, I was playing a bit of wing and fullback still, and they said ‘we want to put you in the back row’.

“I trained the whole preseason as a back-rower, I put on some size, and then two days before the first trial game they said ‘we’ll just chuck you in the front row and see how you go’.

“I played those first few trials and haven’t stepped out of the position since.”

It’s made two seasons in the Intrust Super Premiership a valuable apprenticeship, a process he expected to go through in navigating a path to the NRL.

“If I was doing cartwheels and back flips down in 20s and scoring tries like anything then I might’ve expected to go straight in [to first grade] but the club told me from day one that it takes time to build front-rowers,” he said.

“I had no idea how much work middles do and the little things they have to do consistently well to win games. That’s what you have to learn so I knew I wasn’t going to step straight into it, I have to earn it.”

It’s been a steep learning curve but, now in his third preseason, Kerr is adamant he’s ready to make that leap.

“I felt I was ready last year but it’s one of those things where you live and you learn,” he said.

“You look back and think I could have done this a bit better or that a but better, but the amount of confidence I’ve come back with is a massive step ahead of last year.

“I feel a lot more confident in everything I’m doing because I’ve been in this position before.

“Mary [Paul McGregor] always talks about the older boys being willing to take themselves to a dark place and I’m a lot more comfortable now pushing my body to its limits. It’s just about putting it into games.”

Off-contract next season, the 2019 campaign is a pivotal one for the former Queensland under 20s rep, but he says it hasn’t given him and extra sense of urgency.

“It’s a little thing that plays in the back of my head but I don’t want to do it out of desperation,” he said.

“Coming into the club’s been unreal, but the longer I’m here the more I want it. Not a lot of people get this opportunity and I want to make the most of it.

“Hopefully Mary sees something in me this year to give me that opportunity. I believe I’m ready and mentality’s a big thing for me. I’ve just got to see myself doing it and I’ll do it.”


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5799088/kerr-edging-closer-to-long-awaited-debut/?cs=3713

 

[getsmarty]

Allgood keen to show his worth

• 
  Mitch Jennings

Dragons Den

Mitch Allgood in action in the ISP last season. Picture: Dragons Media

DRAGONS prop Mitch Allgood is confident he still has plenty to offer the NRL as he looks to end a near five-year absence in 2019.

The former Eels firebrand spent three seasons in the UK Super League with Hull KR and Wakefield Trinity before returning with the Dragons this year.

His injury-hampered season was spent exclusively in the Instrust Super Premiership but, having signed a one-year extension, he’s confident he can break the drought next season.

“I went over to Super League in 2015 so it’ll be a few years in between,” Allgood said.

“The game’s changed a lot I’m sure, but I’m looking forward to getting my chance to play in it again. I worked hard to give myself the best opportunity to do so [this year] but things happen.

“I did the medial [ligament] in both knees in the on tackle early on and it just hung around for the rest of the year. Hopefully next year I can remain injury free and give myself the best chance of playing.”


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5799669/allgood-keen-to-show-his-worth/?cs=3713

 

[getsmarty]

NRL | Knights snare their Mann as St George Illawarra utility star links with the club for the next three seasons

• Newcastle Knights have snared St George Illawarra’s Kurt Mann for the next three seasons after the utility star was granted a release from his contract at the Dragons.
  
  The 25-year-old, who has played 90 NRL games with Melbourne Storm and St George Illawarra, will formally sign a deal with the Knights today and could be at training as early as Tuesday.
  
  He still had a season to run on his Dragons deal with an option for another year but the opportunity to shed the utility tag and turn himself into a fulltime hooker is understood to have swayed his decision to seek to leave.
  
  He has played in a variety of backline positions in the NRL since making his debut for the Storm back in 2014 but Knights coach Nathan Brown is looking to turn him into a hooking option at the club following the long-term injury to Kiwi international Slade Griffin.
  
  
  
  
  Kurt Mann
  
  Born in Winton in Queensland, Mann got his start in Newcastle with the Knights back in 2011 when he played for the club’s NYC Under 20’s team.
  
  He represented Queensland Under 20’s against NSW in April, 2012 while at the Knights but signed a three year deal with the Storm two months later.
  
  He played 28 NRL games with Melbourne in 2014-15 before playing a further 62 games with the Dragons over the past three seasons.
  
  
  Mann’s signing leaves just one spot open on Newcastle’s 30-man playing roster for 2019 but the final position does not have to be filled until June 30 next year.
  
  Brown intends to keep his options open on who that might be.

https://www.theherald.com.au/story/...o-sign-dragons-star-on-three-year-deal-today/

 

[getsmarty]

Kurt Mann granted release to sign with Newcastle Knights
That is now nine new recruits for the Knights.


Written By Sporting News @nospam47au
Newcastle's off-season signing spree has continued with Dragons utility Kurt Mann the latest addition to join Nathan Brown's group of nine recruits.


Mann was released from the final year of his St George Illawarra deal and could join Newcastle's pre-season training as early as Tuesday, reports the Newcastle Herald .


Brown plans to turn the 25-year-old into a full-time hooker - a proposition believed to be behind Mann's eagerness to leave the Dragons.

The former Storm speedster spent some in the hooker role last season behind Cameron McInnes, also shuffling between five-eighth, centre and wing.

Newcastle have endured a luckless run in the No.9 jumper, medically retiring Rory Kostjasyn (throat) in 2017 before he could even put on a jumper, before Slade Griffin suffered his fourth ACL injury last season.

An optimistic Griffin is hopeful of returning in the back half of the season, but it would take a remarkable recovery if he were to play in 2018.

They were reportedly in the market for off-contract ex-Shark James Segeyaro, however that move would only go forward if Danny Levi wasn't on their books.

Levi was in talks with Parramatta and a number of other rivals, but he is set to stay put on the Hunter for now.

The club also added Bulldogs youngster Zac Woolford to their ranks, with the 22-year-old yet to make his NRL debut despite starring in the NSW Cup last season.

Woolford and Mann are part of a formidable recruitment package including Bulldogs enforcer David Klemmer, Warriors duo James Gavet and Mason Lino, Sharks pair Jesse Ramien and Edrick Lee, Melbourne prop Tim Glasby and Souths utility Hymel Hunt.

Mann has made 90 NRL appearances, spending the most part of the 2018 season off the bench as a utility.


https://www.nospam47.com/au/league/...a-dragons-contract/1to59kodb6znd1gifppkg4btco

 

[getsmarty]

Mann released, set to ink big deal as Knights new hooker
Knights

• December 10, 2018 11:57am
• Joe McDonough
• Source: FOX SPORTS

Kurt Mann is set to sign with the Knights after being released by the Dragons. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Kurt Mann is set to sign a three-year deal with the Knights, and link up with the club immediately.
The Dragons granted him a release and The Newcastle Herald revealed exclusively that he will put pen to paper on Monday.


It is understood Nathan Brown wants to turn the utility back into a hooker, and Mann jumped at the opportunity to nail down a starting spot.

It will be a homecoming of sorts, with the Winton-born Mann having played for the Knights under-20s in 2011 before making his NRL debut for the Storm in 2014.

The decision to release Mann indicates the Dragons are close to securing a quality back, with the club making it clear they would only free the 25-year-old if they could find an adequate replacement.

They are interested in picking up Corey Norman, and there was also speculation Alex Johnston was on their radar.


But complicating matters is Norman’s reported $940,000 a year salary at the Eels, and the fact the Dragons maintain they have no intention of moving Matt Dufty from fullback.


With Gareth Widdop likely to ask for a release after this season, Norman would be a key signing if they can find the cap space for him.

It also throws the future of Danny Levi into doubt, with Mann expected to be given first crack at the No.9 jumper, and Slade Griffin ahead of Levi in the pecking order despite a long-term injury.

Levi has reportedly received interest from the Tigers and Eels.

Mann has played 88 games in the NRL, and played five-eighth for the Dragons in their semi-final loss to the Rabbitohs last season with Widdop out.

He has never played regular dummy-half, with most of his experience as an outside back and half.


https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...r/news-story/ef1d05a27b7fde4df0f32adf7a97ac3e

 

[getsmarty]

Mann released by Dragons
Ian Millward talks about the Dragons granting Kurt Mann his requested release.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/12/10/mann-released-by-dragons/

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons release Kurt Mann
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Mon 10 Dec 2018, 03:00 PM

St George Illawarra utility Kurt Mann has requested and been granted a release from the final year of his Dragons playing contract.

Mann played 60 games for the Dragons after joining the club at the beginning of the 2016 season. He has signed with another NRL team for the 2019 season and beyond.

Mann thanked the Dragons as well as the club's members and fans for their support.

"I want to thank the Dragons and its members and fans for all their support over the past three years – it has meant so much to have worn the Red V jumper," Mann said.

"I am also very appreciative to the Dragons for allowing me the opportunity to shore up my long-term future in the NRL by agreeing to release me.

"It wasn't an easy decision as I've formed many lifelong friendships over the years I've spent at the Dragons, and I wish them all the best in the coming season."

Dragons Director of Rugby League Pathways and List Management Ian Millward said the club factored in the 25-year-old's personal desires when coming to a decision.

"We have been in dialogue with Kurt and his management for a long period of time," Millward said.

"He was offered a long-term contract and more security in regards to his playing minutes and being a starting player. We understood his desires regarding this, one he's been persistent about it.

"At this point, we haven't found a suitable replacement – we're still on the lookout for someone. But we also feel we're in a much better position financially, and we will be ready to move those funds when the right person becomes available."

The Dragons still have three spots to fill in their Top 30, and Millward has dictated the club is still on the hunt for a quality outside back.

"The market dictates a lot what you're looking for as well as clubs and player movement. We're still on the lookout for an outside back of some quality," Millward said.

"We will sign a couple of players but they aren't at the moment what we're looking for in terms of Kurt's replacement.

"We also know we have plenty of really good emerging players here at this club who are ready for an opportunity.

"You look at Jai Field, Zac Lomax, Reece Robson and even players like Blake Lawrie and Jacob Host who will be looking to make further inroads in their own NRL careers."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/12/10/dragons-release-kurt-mann/

 

[getsmarty]

Release sees Knights get their Mann

• 
  Mitch Jennings

Dragons Den

GONE: St George Illawarra have released utility Kurt Mann, allowing him to immediately take up a three-year deal with Newcastle. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

ST GEORGE Illawarra will continue to focus their recruitment efforts on finding a quality outside back after releasing utility Kurt Mann to immediately link with Newcastle.

Mann joined the Dragons from Melbourne in 2016, playing 62 games in three seasons, but his utility value saw him struggle to earn a regular starting spot.

The release allows the 25-year-old to take up a three-year deal with the club that first recruited him from Wilton in Queensland as a teenager.

It will leave the Dragons with valuable funds in their salary cap and three spots to fill in their top 30 after Nene Macdonald was also released over the off-season.

Club recruitment chief Ian Millward said the club remains on the hunt for a back to address the Dragons thin outside back stocks.

"We have been in dialogue with Kurt and his management for a long period of time," Millward said.

"He was offered a long-term contract and more security in regards to his playing minutes and being a starting player. We understood his desires regarding this, one he's been persistent about.

"At this point, we haven't found a suitable replacement – we're still on the lookout for someone – but we feel we're in a much better position financially, and we will be ready to move those funds when the right person becomes available.”

The Dragons have been strongly linked to Eels play-maker Corey Norman, perhaps as a long-term replacement for skipper Gareth Widdop.

Mann’s release will send those rumurs into overdrive but Millward said the immediate priority remains an outside back option.

"The market dictates a lot what you're looking for as well as clubs and player movement,” he said.

“We're still on the lookout for an outside back of some quality.”

Mann thanked the Dragons for allowing him to take up the pursuit of more regular starting minutes.

"I am very appreciative to the Dragons for allowing me the opportunity to shore up my long-term future in the NRL by agreeing to release me,” Mann said.

“It wasn't an easy decision, it has meant so much to have worn the red v jumper.

“I've formed many lifelong friendships over the years I've spent at the Dragons, and I wish them all the best in the coming season.”

Having spent most of his time in the top-grade as utility back, Mann found an unexpected new role in Paul McGregor’s middle-forward rotation last season.

It’s a switch that’s seen him strongly tipped to the wear the No. 9 for the Knights in 2019, with coach Nathan Brown believing he has a future at dummy-half.

“We identified Kurt as a player of interest quite some time ago,” Brown said.

"We believe he has the potential to become a hooker and his ability to play a range of positions is an added bonus in today's game.

“Kurt expressed a desire to secure a regular position and he'll be given every opportunity to do that.”


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5803439/release-sees-knights-get-their-mann/?cs=3713

 

[getsmarty]

MEMBERSHIP


Early bird bonanza winners announced
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Tue 11 Dec 2018, 10:41 AM

The St George Illawarra Dragons are thrilled to announce the winners of the early bird bonanza promotion. By simply purchasing a Red V Membership prior to November 30, these lucky Red V Members have won exclusive money-can't-buy experiences during the 2019 season.

The first prize on offer was to deliver the match ball at the Dragons' first home game for 2019. The winner was third year member Lisa Teuma who holds a three-game flexi bronze membership with her family.

A Dragons Faithful member for eight years, Ken Farrow was the second lucky winner, scoring himself the opportunity to toss the coin at a 2019 Dragons home game.

The third week of the promotion saw 10 Red V Members (and a guest) invited to participate in a guard of honour at a 2019 Dragons home game, to cheer on the team as they run out. These winners were:

• Wendy Briggs (Five-game flexi bronze) – member for nine years
• Chris Nicolopoulos (Kogarah Pass gold) – member for 11 years
• Jayden Abbott (Kogarah Upgrade GA) – member for five years
• Bradley Lloyd (Wollongong Pass gold) – member for 18 years
• Michael Hoeflich (Five-game flexi GA) – member for two years
• Levi Siskoski (Wollongong Pass silver) – member for three years
• Sharryn Marshall (Wollongong Pass silver) – member for 10 years
• Judy McLachlan (Kogarah Pass silver) – first year as a member
• Alyssa Bourd (Three-game flexi GA) – member for six years
• Robyn Whitten (Kogarah Upgrade silver) – member for 11 years

The final prize was awarded to 10-year Kogarah Pass member Greg Jones who received an exclusive behind the scenes training tour, with the chance to watch training and see the Dragons facilities behind closed doors.

Sign up as a Red V member like these lucky winners have done and you too can enjoy entry into exclusive Red V member competitions, ticket and merchandise discounts, priceless experiences and so much more.

Ticketed memberships start from just $69 for adults. Find out more at www.marchwithus.com.au or contact the Red V membership team on 1300 DRAGON or redv@dragons.com.au.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/12/11/early-bird-bonanza-winners-announced/

 

[getsmarty]

WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE


Women's top 40 concept under review for 2019 NRLW season
Author
Alicia Newton NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Tue 11 Dec 2018, 11:01 AM

• Share via Email

The make-up of the women's pathway in 2019 is yet to be confirmed but the elite "top 40 system" is one of many topics under review after a successful inaugural Holden Women's Premiership.

Australia-based players trialled to reach the elite group in February and were listed as marquee recruits ahead of the NRLW season, along with contracts tailored to their individual needs.

Of the 40 players chosen in March, 10 missed the NRLW through injury or personal issues.

At least five of those players, including Caitlin Moran, Jayme Fressard and Corban McGregor, were picked up by NRL clubs before succumbing to injury.

Former Jillaroos prop Bec Young was among five players who were not picked up by a club, while Jasmin Allende and Tahlulah Tillet suffered season-ending knee injuries in the weeks following the trials.

Donald stays on as Jillaroos coach

The remaining 30 players all featured in the NRLW. Clubs can officially begin negotiating with players about extending their current deals or negotiating with rivals.

"There's some conjecture around whether we need a top 40," Jillaroos coach Brad Donald told NRL.com.

"There's been about three or four concept options raised if we have to choose a 40 again it's very subjective. We needed one in the first year most definitely as a talent equalisation concept.

"We showed great care to make sure there were other countries in that and we were growing the talent pool for the NRL.

"It was great to see most of those players go on and play in the NRLW and contribute."

Donald pointed out the current system is the women's equivalent to the NRL salary cap.


Under the NRLW recruitment rules in 2018, clubs could only recruit up to 15 players from both the Australian top 40 and New Zealand top 20 squads in total.

"We aren't at that stage yet [of a salary cap] but we're looking at three or four different options," Donald said.

"We're showing great care about growing. We'll see what happens over the next few weeks and whether that's a top 10, 40 or 60."

Other topics expected to be discussed in the coming weeks include the players' workload in 2019 after calls for an extended NRLW competition and reality around possible expansion.



https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/12/11/womens-top-40-concept-under-review-for-2019-nrlw-season/

 

[getsmarty]

NRL news: St George Illawarra Dragons set to sign Parramatta Eels star Corey Norman on three-year-deal
Dragons

• December 12, 2018 3:12pm
• James Hooper@jimmyhooper
• Source: FOX SPORTS

Corey Norman signs with the Dragons.Source: FOX SPORTS
THE Dragons are set to land one of the most significant signing coups of the off-season with Parramatta playmaker Corey Norman expected to sign a three-year deal in the Red V within the next 48 hours.

The move will strengthen the St George Illawarra roster immensely with the Red V set to have Ben Hunt, Gareth Widdop and Norman all sharing playmaking responsibilities.

Norman, 27, is expected to play fullback or five-eighth, which will throw up questions about current Dragons no.1 Matt Dufty.

Eels powerbrokers held a recruitment meeting on Tuesday where the future of Norman was top of the agenda.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur and recruitment manager Peter Sharp are both big Norman supporters and are happy to see the playmaker get the chance to reignite his career at the Dragons.

The Dragons will sign Norman on a three-year deal, which will provide them with well-balanced playmaking depth if captain Gareth Widdop opts to return to the UK Super League in 2020.

Widdop has guaranteed he will be at the Dragons next season but may decide to return home to England beyond that.

Norman’s agent Paul Sutton is currently overseas but has been working overtime to ensure the deal gets done.

Sutton also looks after Dragons captain Widdop. The Dragons had previously made a play for Jarryd Hayne but went cold.

Norman joined the Eels in 2014 and helped steer the club into the 2017 finals before Parramatta flopped last season.

The talented playmaker had a series of run-ins with management at the Eels and was given a breach notice for drinking while injured in August.

If a deal fails to be reached by the weekend then it may take until early January before Norman officially becomes a Dragon.

The Eels are playing hard ball around the fine print terms of Norman’s release with the sticking point believed to be about $75,000.

Irrespective, Norman will be a Dragon next season. All that remains is the negotiating process around when he will officially appear at the Dragons Wollongong headquarters.

If the Dragons can get Norman right, there is no questioning his talent.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...l/news-story/81877109f39ea0f02083ac94c43c3ba3

 

[getsmarty]

The Roar

Reports: Corey Norman to sign with Dragons



Scott Pryde
Editor
3 hours ago



Just when you thought the NRL player merry-go-round was coming to an end, it would appear there are more movements yet to be completed.

Fox Sports are reporting Corey Norman will be the next player to move in what has been a dramatic NRL off-season, with his destination rumoured to be the St George Illawarra Dragons.

The Dragons have been chasing a new marquee signing for 2019. They were reportedly going after Jarryd Hayne before fresh sexual assault allegations became known against the code-hopping superstar.


While the rumours surrounding Norman have been building for weeks, it’s said the Eels are happy for him to try and restart his career after some indifferent form in the blue and gold over the last 12 months.

According to James Hooper, the deal is set to be announced sometime in the next 48 hours with Norman’s agent working hard to get the deal done after an Eels recruitment meeting on Tuesday had Norman at the top of the agenda.

The Eels finished 2018 with the wooden spoon, and while Norman isn’t the reason why, Parramatta are likely to want a fresh look to the squad come Round 1 in 2019 when they take on the Penrith Panthers in their season opener.

The Dragons, on the other hand, are likely to be losing Gareth Widdop at the end of the 2019 season, who, by all reports, wants to cut his contract short and return to play rugby league in England.

Despite committing for 2019, Widdop needs to be replaced after that and the Dragons may see a three-year contract for Norman as the ideal alternative.

What would be intriguing to see is how the club deals with things in the short term, given it would likely mean Norman playing fullback and Matt Dufty left out of the best 17 ahead of the 2019 season.


The youngster is one of the game’s brightest young prospects, although there was speculation abound that he would leave the club following 2018.



https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/12/12/reports-corey-norman-to-sign-with-dragons/

 

[getsmarty]

DRAGONS


Representative players join pre-season
Wed 12 Dec 2018, 04:59 PM
Share on social media
The pre-season action continues as representative players Tyson Frizell and Ben Hunt join the group.




https://www.dragons.com.au/contenta...tken.png?center=0.3,0.5&preset=photo-enlarged



https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/12/12/representative-players-join-pre-season/

 

[getsmarty]

Tariq Sims signs on for three more years
St George Illawarra Dragons are thrilled to announce that Tariq Sims has signed on for a further three years with the Club.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/12/13/tariq-sims-signs-on-for-three-more-years/

 

[getsmarty]

DRAGONS


Tariq Sims re-signs with the Dragons
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Thu 13 Dec 2018, 11:00 AM

St George Illawarra back-rower Tariq Sims has re-signed with the Dragons for a further three seasons.

Off-contract at the end of 2019, the reigning Dragons Player of the Year recipient will now remain at the club until at least the end of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership season.

The local Gerringong junior played all but one NRL game for the Red V in 2018 and made his long-awaited State of Origin debut for New South Wales in Game Three.

Sims was pleased to be remain at the club, where he has been since midway through the Dragons' 2016 campaign.

"The Dragons has always been a club I've wanted to play for and represent being from Gerringong. To have the chance to extend my time with this special playing group, it was too good an opportunity to go anywhere else," Sims said.

"Mary (Paul McGregor) is a coach I've always wanted to play for and he has always wanted to coach me, which was very important when I first came to the Dragons. I'd like to think I've taken my opportunities here at the club with both hands.

"The goal is always winning a premiership, but I can't wait to help develop the players coming through," Sims added. "To see some of these young kids kick on in their careers from the Under-20s to the NRL in the coming years will be a real highlight."

Director of Rugby League Pathways and List Management Ian Millward said Sims's retention was crucial in helping the Dragons maintain one of the best forward packs in the NRL.

"There's a lot of things we like about Tariq on the field, but there's also plenty of things we like about him off it. He's a real leader and will be a great mentor for some of our young players," Millward said.

"Tariq personifies personality and commitment, and what he does around the club on and off the field is enormous. His enthusiasm is infectious and his standing in the game at present is very important to our club.

"He's also a very crucial piece of the jigsaw, locking him in long-term, along with (Jack) de Belin, (Tyson) Frizell, (Paul) Vaughan and (James) Graham."

The Dragons have also signed former Brisbane Broncos outside back Lachlan Maranta on a one-year deal.

Maranta has played 70 NRL games to date, and has spent the past two years at Super Rugby outfit, Queensland Reds.

"Lachlan has played plenty of NRL games over a period of five seasons and proved he was versatile across the outside backs. He's proven so far to be a really good person who trains well, and he'll bring experience to the squad," Millward said.

"Mitch Allgood is a good example in the sense of Lachlan's signing, in terms of Mitch's influence on the squad over the past 12 months. Both Mitch and Lachlan have played a similar amount of NRL games, and have the experience to play first grade if required.

"We were looking for a squad member, and so with that I must stress that Lachlan isn't a replacement for Kurt Mann nor a replacement for Nene Macdonald."

Maranta's signing sees him among the likes of Korbin Sims, Mikaele Ravalawa, Eddie Blacker, Lachlan Timm and Jonus Pearson to have joined the Red V ahead of the 2019 season.

The re-signing of Sims follows the likes of Cameron McInnes, Zac Lomax, Jeremy Latimore, Luciano Leilua, Matt Dufty, Josh Kerr, Joe Lovodua and Jordan Pereira to have also extended their stay with the Dragons over the past 12 months.

Lachlan Maranta joins the Dragons in 2019



https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/12/13/tariq-sims-re-signs-with-the-dragons/

 

[getsmarty]