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getsmarty

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DRAGONS


Dragons launch 2019 commemorative jersey
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Wed 3 Apr 2019, 12:00 PM

St George Illawarra on Wednesday afternoon unveiled their annual commemorative jersey to be worn on Anzac Day in the Dragons' traditional clash against the Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The Dragons' 2019 commemorative jersey will specifically honour the poppy – in the form of the club's traditional Red V – and its significance to war remembrance, as well as the military tradition, The Last Post.

The Last Post, a bugle call that signalled the end of the day while at war, remains significant at commemorative services and military funerals to the current day.

The Last Post image used at the bottom of the commemorative jersey was sourced from the Australian War Memorial (image reference C30973), who have once again partnered with the Dragons in 2019.

If you wish to donate to the Australian War Memorial, click here.

simsk-anzac_0003.jpg

The Dragons' are very proud to house the Australian War Memorial (AWM) logo on the 2019 commemorative jersey; the club will also donate funds back to the AWM.

St George Illawarra fans will again be given the opportunity to bid on player-worn commemorative jerseys leading into the NRL's Anzac Round. The auction will commence on Wednesday, April 24 with a proportion of the funds again to be donated to the AWM.

The NRL's Anzac Round is an annual opportunity for rugby league to honour the generations of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women who have defended our values and freedoms, in wars, conflicts and peace operations for over 100 years.

The 2019 Dragons commemorative jerseys are available to pre-order online or in-store right now and are expected to arrive in the Dragons Team Store in mid-April.



https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/04/03/dragons-launch-2019-commemorative-jersey/
 

getsmarty

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Future planning pays off with spine settled for next three years
Author
Brad Walter NRL.com Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Thu 4 Apr 2019, 05:01 PM
walterbrad-head.png

The future starts now.

St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor delivered the messsage loud and clear to the club’s new look spine at a video session on Thursday in the wake of captain Gareth Widdop’s shoulder injury during last week’s epic 25-24 defeat of Brisbane.

With Widdop planning to return to England at the end of the season to finish his career with Warrington, the Dragons have settled on fullback Matt Dufty, five-eighth Corey Norman, halfback Ben Hunt and hooker Cameron McInnes as their spine for at least the next three years.

The Dragons hope Widdop will return in round 23 after undergoing surgery on Monday but the club had already made preparations for life without him by signing Norman, who revealed how close he came to joining Sunday’s opponents, Newcastle, during the off-season.

It was a deliberate strategy by the Dragons to sign Dufty, Norman and McInnes until the end of the 2021 season, while Hunt is under contract for a further year.

NSW Origin forwards Paul Vaughan and Tariq Sims, lock Korbin Sims and winger Jordan Pereira are also committed to the club until at least the end of 2021.



Knights v Dragons - Round 4

"Mary said in video today that it would be a good time to gel for the years going forward because I think we are all on contract for the same amount of time," Dufty said. "I guess now we have got a chance to practice for next year - a year early.

"The spine is pretty much set for the next couple of years so it will be a good opportunity to finally gel and play with each other."

Norman, whose negotiations with the Knights had been so advanced he was able to confirm the Kalyn Ponga five-eighth experiment would never have happened if he had signed, said he would now assume a greater playmaking role after shifting to fullback last week to accommodate Widdop's short-lived return to the halves.

"It is Gaz’s team and he is not playing now so I am definitely going to have to step up and help Hunty," said Norman, who kicked the match-winning field goal against the Broncos.

"Our structures are the same and our game plans are the same, it’s just that Dufty is back there now [at fullback]. The spine is going to be set in stone for a while now."

The clash with the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday will be the first game Dufty starts this season after being used as an impact player as McGregor shuffled his spine towards the end of matches.

When Dufty came on at fullback, Widdop would move to five-eighth, Norman to halfback, Hunt to hooker and McInnes to lock but their spine will now have stability as Zac Lomax is more likely to be used from the interchange to cover an injury to the outside backs.

Despite only playing 13 minutes in the opening-round loss to North Queensland and 19 minutes in the defeat by South Sydney the following week, Dufty believes he has never been fitter as he had to simulate the running he would do during matches in additional training sessions.

"It’s not fun when you have to do it on your own but they have been telling me all year you never know when you have to play 80 minutes and now it’s that time," Dufty said.

"A couple of years ago I might have sat around and had a sook about it but not many people get to play NRL every week so just to be around the boys and in the squad I’m over the moon. That’s the cut-throat life of footy."



Tungai elevated into elite group

The opportunity for McGregor to shuffle his spine only arose because the club was able to secure Norman as Widdop’s long-term replacement after the English playmaker requested a release at the end of the season to play in the Super League.

After being told Parramatta were not intending to offer him a new deal beyond 2019, Norman held discussions with a number of clubs, including the Knights.

"I was going to partner with [Mitchell] Pearce and just keep Ponga at the back," he said. "Everything fizzled out and it looked like I was staying at Parramatta. I went back there in the pre-season and then the Dragons popped up."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/201...-off-with-spine-settled-for-next-three-years/
 

getsmarty

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DRAGONS


Red V Members: watch the Dragons train
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Thu 4 Apr 2019, 04:13 PM

Red V Members are exclusively invited to the Dragons’ Round 5 Captain’s Run, Saturday 13 April at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium.

Watch the team make their final preparations in their last training session ahead of their highly-anticipated clash against the Bulldogs.

  • Where: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah
  • When: Saturday 13 April
  • Time: 10.30am
Please RSVP by visiting www.marchwithus.com.au or clicking here.

Become a Red V Member today for exclusive behind the scenes access to the team, discounts, prizes and so much more! Visit marchwithus.com.au or click here.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/04/04/red-v-members-watch-the-dragons-train/
 

getsmarty

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Why Gareth Widdop can still shoulder Dragons' NRL title hope
Local Sport
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Pain barrier: Gareth Widdop comes from the field in the NRL victory over Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt
It's August, 2010 and the noisy hum of celebration rattles around the room.

It makes for an eye-catching contrast.

The hallowed halls and history of the SCG being occupied for exuberant inner-sanctum of a rowdy St George Illawarra squad, coaching and support staff and the corporate types eager to be part of it.

In particular, Nathan Fien is figuratively bouncing off the walls - and with good reason.

Fien has just played his first NRL game since round one when he broke his ankle and the Dragons have just snapped a five-game Roosters winning streak.

In the process launching what would be a run of seven wins in eight games to secure a drought-breaking premiership, beating the Roosters 32-8 in the grand final.

Before Fien's return, the Dragons had the wobbles, losing three of their past four and while they were still on top of the ladder, the serious doubt of past failures was creeping in amongst the fanbase again.

Fien, now Collegians coach in the Illawarra competition, had played a key role as a bench utility, winning eight of the nine games he played that season, only succumbing to the dreaded Canberra curse.

He scored a try in the grand final and generally provided spark with pace and vision around dummy-half, a perfect offset to the iron-willed determination of hooker and lock Dean Young, who was probably the Dragons best player in the finals series.

Fast forward to Thursday night and Gareth Widdop is in agony as another dislocated shoulder strikes.

Injured in round three, the Dragons will be mapping out a program to have Widdop return in August.

Widdop is the captain and leader, but the Dragons are better prepared to handle his absence with Matt Dufty a year older and Corey Norman a valuable ball-player and left-footed kicker. Of course, Game On isn't suggesting the Dragons will lead the competition all year, as they did from round five onwards in 2010.

The Roosters are clearly the benchmark, after dishing out a hiding to Brisbane on Thursday night.

But if coach Paul McGregor can make the Dufty-Norman-Hunt-McInnes combination successful, then Widdop's impact late in the season could yet still make an impact.

And there is a sense of timing - perhaps even fate - that Widdop could have an influence in September before flying home to England.

"Gareth won't be far from everything that happens this year," McGregor said.

"Even thought he won't be on the football, he'll be highly involved in and around training and the coaching side of it.

"He'll be ready when he does come back, that'll be an important boost at an important time."

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...still-shoulder-dragons-nrl-title-hope/?cs=302
 

getsmarty

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Dufty always in McGregor's fullback plans for St George Illawarra Dragons
Local Sport
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High ball: Matt Dufty will play at fullback in St George Illawarra's showdown against Newcastle on Sunday. Picture: Adam McLean

Dragons coach Paul McGregor has declared Matt Dufty was always going to play a major role at fullback during the NRL campaign, claiming he provides the "genuine speed" they've lacked so far this season.

The highly-criticised move to start captain Gareth Widdop in the No.1 jersey in the opening rounds looked to be starting to pay off against the Broncos last week, until the English international went down with a dislocated shoulder.

Unlikely to return until August, Widdop's absence has fast-tracked McGregor's plans to bring Dufty back into the starting team, after playing three games as an interchange option.

"We always planned that Gareth wasn't going to play 30 games at fullback, it was about starting in the most settled way," he said.

"We thought Gareth at fullback would do that because he knows the system best, he's got a loud voice and he's our captain.

"There was a lot of criticism around the first couple of weeks (losses to the Cowboys and Souths), but there were reasons why we lost those games, as well, not just the spine.

"And we got it right (against Brisbane) and unfortunately Gareth went down late, which is a sad thing when you lose a player of Gareth's quality for an extended period."

READ MORE: Dufty keen to hit the ground running in return to St George Illawarra starting lineup

McGregor confirmed Dufty and Widdop had shared the fullback duties at training in the "seven weeks" they had before the trials since Corey Norman arrived at the club.

Dufty's inclusion sets up an tantalising showdown with boom Newcastle talent Kalyn Ponga, who shifted from five-eighth to fullback this week after consecutive losses to the Panthers and Raiders.

McGregor said NSW forward Tyson Frizell - who suffered a lacerated testicle in round one - is a "real good chance" of playing on Sunday, with a decision to be made on Saturday after the captain's run.

It could result in Frizell starting on the right edge, with Blake Lawrie and Korbin Sims defending in the middle, but McGregor was tight-lipped about a starting role for the State of Origin star.

McGregor confirmed centre Tim Lafai will take over the goalkicking role from Widdop, though Zac Lomax, named on the bench, is likely to add the extras if he's on the field.


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...-dufty-fullback-return-an-instant-hit/?cs=302
 

getsmarty

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Dragons confident on Gareth Widdop's shoulder as Jack de Belin's case heads to Federal Court
  • Local Sport
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    Devastated: Dragons captain Gareth Widdop in the moments after suffering another dislocated shoulder in Brisbane last month. Picture: AAP Image

    The Dragons are confident captain Gareth Widdop has not played his final match for the club after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction on Monday night.

    Widdop underwent a Latarjet procedure in Melbourne, where surgeons take a piece of bone from elsewhere in the body and move it into the shoulder to make the socket deeper in the ball and socket joint.

    The procedure has just a two per cent failure rate, with Dragons head of athletic performance Nathan Pickworth saying Widdop had pulled up "really well".

    "We spoke to the surgeon late last night and the surgeon was really happy with how the procedure went," he said.

    "From here, typically the recovery for these is about four to five months. But at this stage I think it's a bit too early to give a specific return to play time frame for Gareth.

    "But I'm pretty optimistic that Gareth hasn't played his last game for the Dragons."

    Widdop dislocated his shoulder for the third time in his last five matches in the win over the Broncos in Brisbane last week.

    The Dragons haven't given up hope of Widdop returning before the finals, with Widdop to be released from the final two years of his contract to join English Super League club Warrington at the end of the season.

    Meanwhile, it will be D-Day for Jack de Belin's bid to return to the NRL on April 15 with the Dragons forward to challenge the NRL's 'no fault' stand-down policy in the Federal Court.

    The three-day hearing will determine if and when de Belin can return to playing for St George Illawarra after the NRL instituted the policy in response to a series of serious off-field incidents over the off-season.

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    Jack de Belin training with the Dragons on Thursday morning. Picture: Adam McLean

    De Belin became the first player banned under the protocols after he was charged with aggravated sexual assault in Wollongong in December.

    De Belin pleaded not guilty to the charges in court in February.

    The 27-year-old had initially sought an immediate injunction on the NRL's decision to stand him down, with the matter scheduled to be heard on March 14 - the day the NRL season kicked off.

    De Belin decided not to proceed with that action following advice. If he is successful in court, the Dragons will immediately make him available for selection and could play as early as round six when St George Illawarra host Manly in Wollongong.

    Meanwhile, the Dragons are hopeful Tyson Frizell will be able to return from his lacerated testicle against Newcastle on Sunday night.

    St George Illawarra head to the Hunter to face the Knights and could have Frizell available after the representative forward missed the previous two rounds with the painful injury suffered in the Dragons' season opening loss to North Queensland.

    Frizell had his first training session back with the team on Tuesday and would be a handy inclusion given de Belin's unavailability.




    https://www.theleader.com.au/story/...dop-as-d-day-approaches-for-de-belin/?cs=1633
 

getsmarty

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DRAGONS


Injured Widdop set for coaching role ahead of August return
Author
Brad Walter NRL.com Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Fri 5 Apr 2019, 03:01 PM
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Injured St George Illawarra captain Gareth Widdop will take on a coaching role with the Dragons until he has fully recovered from his latest shoulder reconstruction and is ready to resume playing later in the season.

Widdop, who had surgery on his right shoulder at the end of last season, underwent a latarjet reconstruction after suffering another dislocation in last week’s epic 25-24 defeat of Brisbane and is hoping to return between Round 20 and 23.

The loss of the England playmaker until August is a significant blow for the Dragons but they had been preparing for his departure at the end of the season and are able to slot fullback Matt Dufty into the starting side as his replacement.

However, team-mates will miss Widdop’s voice on the field and St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor said he would be remain closely involved with the side during his rehabilitation by assuming a coaching capacity.

“I spoke to him last night and he is in good spirits,” McGregor said.

“The operation was a success as far as we know and he is due back at some stage during the year, so that is a positive for the football team.

“I think everyone knows the quality of Gareth, and Gareth won’t be too far from everything that happens this year. Even though he won’t be on the field he will be highly involved around training and around the coaching side of it.

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Dragons captain Gareth Widdop after being injured against the Broncos. :copyright:Scott Davis/NRL Photos
“He will get involved in that and he will be ready when he does come back, and that will be an important boost for the team at an important time, obviously depending on how his recovery goes and how the team goes as well.”

Hooker Cameron McInness takes over the captaincy role for Sunday night’s match against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium but he will share the leadership responsibilities with James Graham and Tyson Frizell, who is rated an 80-20 chance of returning after surgery from a lacerated testicle.

While there had been criticism of McGregor’s decision to play Widdop at fullback in a re-shuffled spine to accommodate Corey Norman at five-eighth, the ploy had been working as opposition defences were run off their feet, but the Dragons lack of forward depth cost them against the Cowboys and Rabbitohs.

Norman shared the fullback duties with Widdop in the Broncos clash and McGregor revealed that he eventually intended for his captain to spend more time in his preferred five-eighth position.

“We always planned that Gareth wasn’t going to play 30 games at fullback, it was all about starting the year in the most settled way and we thought that Gareth at fullback would do that because he knows the systems the best, he has a loud voice and is our captain,” McGregor said.

“Normy is a left-sided player with a kicking game but they were going to interchange at various stages and Normy would have started at No.1 at various stages as well.”

Widdop’s injury means that Norman will remain at five-eighth, with Dufty to take over the fullback role and either Zac Lomax or Jai Field to be the bench utility against the Knights.



Knights v Dragons - Round 4

“One thing I need to speak publicly about is how Duft really took the responsibility of being that interchange player on and how he has developed as a young player into a person who is team first,” McGregor said.

“We knew that an opportunity would come at some stage, it is earlier than we had anticipated but Duft is very excited, he is energetic and has been jumping around all week about playing this weekend.

“He is an X-factor, when he goes to the game and is highly involved he is very busy, which is what we need and he has got genuine speed, which is probably something we haven’t had in the first three rounds.”

McGregor also hopes to welcome back Frizell, who completed his first contact session on Thursday since lacerating his testicle in the Round 1 loss to North Queensland three weeks ago.

A decision will be made after Saturday’s captain’s run and if he plays, Frizell is expected to wear a protective guard.

“Tyson won’t be at any risk if he takes the football field or we won’t play him,” McGregor said.

“It is early in the year and he is our most decorated player so we don’t want to put him out there and put him at any risk that we don’t need to.”


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/201...set-for-coaching-role-ahead-of-august-return/
 

getsmarty

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aitkene-190321444.jpg


DRAGONS


Lomax challenge drives Aitken's early-season form
Author
Brad Walter NRL.com Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Sat 6 Apr 2019, 10:01 AM
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Euan Aitken has credited his rivalry with Zac Lomax for St George Illawarra's right centre spot as motivation for him replicating the form that catapulted him into representative contention last year.

Aitken was under consideration for State of Origin honours in 2018 but feared he may lose his starting position this year after the emergence of Lomax during the 2018 finals.

However, the 23-year-old overcame the pre-season challenge from Lomax and has taken on the added responsibility of helping Ben Hunt to organise St George Illawarra’s new-look right-edge defence.

"A lot of people probably thought I wasn't going to start round one, to be honest," Aitken said. "That's the mentality I had to the start of my pre-season.

"I didn't finish the year in the squad, playing footy, so as far as I was concerned he was starting ahead of me and it gave me really good motivation for the pre-season to rip in and really put my best foot forward.

"I ended up getting that starting spot in round one and it gave me a lot of confidence to keep building on that."



Knights v Dragons - Round 4

Lomax was initially viewed by St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor as a winger but his approach to the battle with Aitken has resulted in him earning the bench utility role for Sunday night's clash with Newcastle after Matt Dufty's elevation to fullback in place of injured captain Gareth Widdop.

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Dragons utility back Zac Lomax. :copyright:Scott Davis/NRL Photos
Aitken was the Dragons' player of the match in the opening-round loss to North Queensland and he finished on top in a personal duel with Jack Bird during last week's 25-24 win over Brisbane.

With inexperienced second-rower Jacob Host defending on his inside and rookie Fijian winger Mikaeale Ravalawa outside him, Aitken is a senior member of St George Illawarra's right edge.

"Hunty has obviously got a lot more years on me but I am second in charge in a way," Aitken said. "This is my fifth season and I have got to take a bit of ownership to help him in defence.

"I feel really confident with those two blokes [Host and Ravalawa] on my edge. The combination with Mika is going really well. I am really enjoying playing with him, he is strong and I love the way he starts our sets.

"He is still learning, I think he has only been playing footy for three years so it is crazy when you consider that and he is only 21 so he is a young kid learning the trade."



Dragons hopeful Frizell will return against Knights

McGregor said Aitken had earned his place with his form last season and the way he performed in the pre-season.

"I don't think he was under pressure but there is a person in the club who is a very good player and he is a right centre as well," McGregor said in reference to Lomax.

"The way they went about their training in the pre-season gave them both a good opportunity to play round one and Euan trialled better so he got the first shot at it."

Lomax will play off the interchange as cover for any of the outside backs but he could also be used in the back row or at lock.

"I am pretty similar to Kurt Mann's role that he had last year," Lomax said. "I will play off the bench and if someone goes down in the backs I will just jump on wherever best suits the team so I have got to be ready to go on any minute.

"Obviously I have trained mostly at centre and a little bit of wing and fullback but I am happy to play any position on the field."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/04/06/lomax-challenge-drives-aitkens-early-season-form/
 

getsmarty

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Dragons Active - April holiday clinics
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Sat 6 Apr 2019, 05:02 PM

St George Illawarra Dragons' rugby league holiday clinics are on again this April with clinics scheduled to occur at Bexley Oval, Bexley and WIN Stadium (2), Wollongong.

Area

Date

Time

Age

Kogarah

Monday, April 15

10am-1pm

5-12 years

Wollongong

Wednesday, April 17

12pm-3pm

5-12 years

Registrations are now open at, via Play NRL.

Simply type the postcode 2207 to find the Bexley Oval clinic or 2500 for the Wollongong clinic.

The clinics will cost $40

As part of the day, each child will be given the opportunity to rub shoulders with NRL Dragons players at both Kogarah and Wollongong clinics as well as going home with a Dragons football and cap.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/04/06/dragons-active---april-holiday-clinics/
 

getsmarty

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Match-winner Norman 'a joy to coach': McGregor
Author
Brett Keeble NRL.com reporter
Timestamp
Sun 7 Apr 2019, 10:25 PM

Fortune favours the brave. So says Dragons coach Paul McGregor after Corey Norman’s second match-winning field goal in as many games.

His left-foot strike proved the difference in their 13-12 golden-point victory over Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday night.

The mercurial playmaker drilled a 42-metre field goal with just over two minutes left in extra time to give the Dragons their second win of the season and hand Newcastle a third straight loss.

Ten nights earlier, Norman’s left foot gave the Dragons a 25-24 win against former club Brisbane.

"He’s a joy to coach because he’s an energetic kid that takes footy serious, but in and around that, he can have a bit of fun as well," McGregor said at the post-match media conference.

"He wants the footy at important times, and that’s what your better playmakers do.



Match Highlights: Knights v Dragons

"They want to go after the game instead of trying to hide away from it, and that’s one thing that he’s done in the last couple of weeks.

"He’s wanted that footy at the right time, and he’s come up with two clutch plays."

Norman missed with his first two attempts against the Knights – in the 79th minute then just before half-time in extra time – but did not go missing when a third chance came his way.

Newcastle made a meal of their chance to break the deadlock on the previous possession, then the Dragons worked their way into range and ensured the ball was in Norman’s hands on the last tackle.



McGregor: Korbin wanted to stay out there

"I guess I took it upon myself to step up and have a crack," Norman told reporters after the game.

"I think I said it last week, I don’t have a very good success rate at field goals, but somehow they’re just going over at the moment so I’ll take it.

"Obviously I’m going to back myself. I missed the first two, so for that third one, obviously I’m going to step up and believe I’m going to hit it.

"The first one I kind of rushed, the second one I thought I hit well and I thought it went over, and the third one, as soon as I hit it I looked up and it was a lot straighter."

Taking some of the gloss off the win, prop Korbin Sims will have scans on Monday after suffering a suspected broken left arm.

NSW and Australian back-rower Tyson Frizell scored a crucial try in a successful return after missing the previous two matches because of a lacerated testicle.

Frizell was not replaced after joining the game in the 24th minute. He made an immediate impact by stripping the ball from Mitchell Pearce and scoring under the posts.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/04/08/match-winner-norman-a-joy-to-coach-mcgregor/
 

getsmarty

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Mental barriers no hurdle for Frizell in spectacular St George Illawarra return
Dragons Den
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Touchdown: Tyson Frizell scored within a minute of entering the field on Sunday night. Picture: NRL Photos/Paul Barkley.
After suffering an injury that would make most men wince, St George Illawarra star Tyson Frizell admits he was apprehensive about making his return to play on Sunday night.

Once he crossed that white line, however, any concerns about his health were immediately pushed to the back of his mind. And it showed.

Frizell made a barnstorming run with his first carry, before stripping Mitchell Pearce and crossing for a try just seconds later to hand the Dragons the lead.

"I guess it's more a feel kind of thing," Frizell said. "If he had stepped the other way, he would've smoked me.

"It was a right arm carry, right arm tackle, he stepped into my arms and it was a bit of a feel thing, I could feel the ball right in my arms and knew it was one-on-one. It was just a reaction thing, I got pretty lucky no one else jumped in and I came up with a play."

Frizell suffered a lacerated testicle in the Dragons round one loss to the Cowboys and he described the pain he experienced as excruciating. Surgery quickly ensued to repair the damage.

"Every bloke knows what it's like to get hit there, it was like that times 10 and it didn't go away. It was kind of a weird thing, I just assumed it was going to go away after a while, it sort of all hit me once I got in the sheds, all the adrenaline had gone and the pain wasn't going away.

"I wasn't too sure what was wrong, went to the hospital just to check it out, make sure it was all okay. Within an hour of being at hospital, I was under the knife."

Initially set to miss four to six weeks, Frizell was granted the all clear to feature on Sunday. That clearance, and some region-specific protection, was all he needed to declare himself fit to play.

"Through the week it's a bit of a mind game, more than a physical injury. I've got protection there now to look after me and I wanted to get the all clear from specialists and doctors to make sure that if I do go out and play, I don't have any further injuries down the track.

"I got the all clear and it was more of myself getting my head right and comfortable playing. It's a different injury, it's not an injury you can block out and tough out. Once I got my head right and got the all clear from the specialist and the doc, I was ready to go."

Read more: Norman hands Dragons thrilling victory

Frizell's role in the team moving forward is up in the air, with middle forward Korbin Sims set to miss six to eight weeks after breaking his forearm and second rower Jacob Host injuring his ankle in the victory.

After starting in the middle, Frizell replaced Host on the right edge, where he was damaging.

He's confident, however, that no matter where he plays, another testicle injury is unlikely to eventuate.

"It's a weird injury, it's something different. I guess you wear a mouthguard when you get your teeth punched in, when you get knocked in the balls you wear a cup.

"With protection, it pretty much limits that whole risk of getting injured again. I guess I'm more protected than the rest of the blokes out there."

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...orge-illawarra-in-win-over-newcastle/?cs=3713
 

getsmarty

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Dragons deny interest in Trent Merrin
  • National Sport News
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    St George Illawarra are denying they are interested in Leeds forward Trent Merrin.
    St George Illawarra insist no contact has been made with Trent Merrin as they hold off on a possible replacement for Jack de Belin until next week.

    Merrin was heavily linked with an NRL comeback on Monday after being granted permission by Leeds to return to Australia due to a family bereavement.

    The 29-year-old left the NRL late last year after being granted a release from the final two years of his deal at Penrith to sign a four-year contract in England.

    Speculation of a return began in March when it emerged the Dragons could apply for a salary cap exemption due to the code's new no-fault stand-down policy.

    Merrin arrived in the Super League on marquee billing, however he has failed to prevent the Rhinos from a disastrous start to the new season.

    Leeds are currently in last spot with just two wins from 10 matches.

    It is understood the Dragons will earnestly begin their search for a replacement once de Belin's fight against the NRL's new policy is over next week.

    The final hearing is due back in Federal Court on April 16.

    Former Panthers teammate Reagan Campbell-Gillard said he had spoken to Merrin, who insisted all the chatter was mere speculation.

    However the Penrith prop revealed Merrin was reluctant to leave the NRL and only took up the offer because of the security of the long-term deal.

    "Obviously he was trying to get another club here to pick him up but that offer from Leeds was obviously something couldn't turn down," Campbell-Gillard said.

    "It's a different lifestyle. He probably didn't want to do it on those types of terms but rugby league, it's a bloody competition and it's a business.

    "It's one of those things you just have to cop and move on from it."

    Campbell-Gillard said he had already circled in their date with the Dragons in the hope of going toe-to-toe with his former neighbour.

    "I've told him if he does come back I'll be going for his head," he said.

    "Round 18, I think. I've got some close friends at the Dragons as well. I know that exactly. Friday night, 7:30pm, out here.

    "It's one of those games you want to get up for against really good mates and former teammates. That one is definitely pencilled in in the diary."

    Australian Associated Press



    https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6008820/dragons-deny-interest-in-trent-merrin/?cs=14238
 

getsmarty

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frontcover.jpg


COMMUNITY


Dragons' resource continues to inspire
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Wed 10 Apr 2019, 09:35 AM

St George Illawarra players Cameron McInnes, Zac Lomax, Tim Lafai, Euan Aitken and Kezie Apps on Wednesday morning helped launch the 2019 'The Best You Can Be' health and wellbeing school resource at Hayes Park Public School.

Already in great demand, close to 300 teachers and 6000 students have embraced the Stage 3 and 4 curriculum-based primary school resource to assist them in achieving important health and wellbeing outcomes.

Themes in the 2019 'The Best You Can Be' resource include lessons on: body image, resilience, respect, goal setting, cyber safety, hydration and nutrition, sleep, friendship and being active.

The club are fortunate to have Dragons ambassadors from other sports involved with 'The Best You Can Be' school resource. They include national sport stars Sally Fitzgibbons (surfing), Emma McKeon (swimming) and Grace Stewart (hockey) as well as almost 20 NRL and NRLW Dragons players.

Dragons players in particular understand their privileged standing in the community, whereby they can promote and encourage, either directly or indirectly, the physical, cultural and intellectual welfare of young people in our community.

Current Dragons co-captain Cameron McInnes stressed the importance of programs like 'The Best You Can Be', and how it encourages and inspires youngsters in all facets of life.

"As the son of school teachers and now a dad, I know how important education is to the development of students as they progress through different stages of life," McInnes said.

"Not only does 'The Best You Can Be' program enhance children's learning, it also helps them become better people. As players, we understand the unique position we're in where we can positively promote and encourage others to pursue a healthy lifestyle."

The club aims to encourage youth to make positive choices around health, education and social issues and are fully aware how sport can be very effective in achieving social change.

Thanks to our major supporter, the University of Wollongong, the Dragons have been able to produce a most effective and interactive resource. Former Dean of Education, and current board director of the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) Professor Paul Chandler wholeheartedly endorses 'The Best You Can Be' resource.

"The Dragons sit at the cutting edge in providing high quality educational resources to support primary and secondary schools," Mr. Chandler said.

"They set the benchmark for NRL teams in engaging educational communities and inspiring young people to be the best they can be. The number of schools and students involved in this year program is very impressive."

Participating teacher Anton Petkovic from Hayes Park Public School applauded 'The Best You Can Be' program for its effectiveness in meeting PD/H/PE outcomes.

"We have been using 'The Best You Can Be' resource for five years at Hayes Park Public School and our students have greatly benefited using them to set learning and fitness goals," Mr Petkovic said.

"They also help plan out their assessments for the term and assists them with making positive lifestyle choices. Meeting players provides students with positive role models and encourages them to participate in sporting activities."

The St George Illawarra Dragons are driven by its role as a representative of our community and committed to the positive role it plays within it. Supporting schools, teachers and students has been the club's focus for over two decades now.

To date, the Dragons have delivered the 'The Best You Can Be' program to 57 schools, 300 teachers and 6000 students throughout the Dragons' region, from Earlwood in the St George area to Eden on the South Coast.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/04/10/dragons-resource-continues-to-inspire/
 

getsmarty

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Dragons Monopoly on sale now
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Wed 10 Apr 2019, 05:00 PM

Live the life of a high-flying trader in the fast-paced world of real estate with the club-exclusive limited edition St George Illawarra Dragons edition of Monopoly.

Perfect for any generation, the famous board game celebrates the St George Illawarra Dragons history featuring the hottest properties including current and former club legends, and iconic locations such as Jubilee Stadium and WIN Stadium.

Buy the club-exclusive limited edition Dragons Monopoly now!
Featuring the likes of club greats in Mark Coyne, Ben Creagh and Ben Hornby to the more recent heroes of Tyson Frizell, Tariq Sims and Kezie Apps, this game is perfect for the whole Dragons family with countless hours of fun to be had.

Invest in stands and stadiums, then watch the rent come pouring in. Make deals with other players and look out for bargains at auction. There are many ways to get what you want.

Stay sharp because there is only room at the top for one. For everyone else, there’s bankruptcy. Trade your way to success and you can own it all.

In conjunction with the launch of Dragons Monopoly, the club's team store will hold a player appearance involving Tyson Frizell, Jason Nightingale and Dean Young this Thursday night between 5:30pm and 6:30pm.

The player appearance will also involve the Mr Monopoly Man mascot and a giant life size Monopoly board where members and fans can try their hand at a game.

There will also be an opportunity for members and fans to visit the activation zone at Sunday's game at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium's Gate D, to experience all the thrills of Monopoly and to pick up a limited edition Dragons version.

There are only 500 boards exclusively available at the Dragons Team Store, so you have to be a quick to get your hands on this collector's item.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/04/10/dragons-monopoly-on-sale-now/
 
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