Articles

[getsmarty]

St George Illawarra Dragons 2020 draw snapshot
Author
Troy Whittaker NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Tue 29 Oct 2019, 10:01 AM

Here is all you need to know about the St George Illawarra Dragons' 2020 Telstra Premiership draw.

The Lowdown
Teams they play twice
Wests Tigers, Titans, Sharks, Bulldogs, Roosters, Panthers, Raiders, Eels, Rabbitohs

Teams they play once
Knights, Warriors, Storm, Broncos, Sea Eagles, Cowboys

Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday - 4, Friday - 4, Saturday - 6, Sunday - 9, Monday - 1.

Five-day turnarounds
2 (Round 2, Round 24).

• The 2020 NRL draw

Kick-off
The Dragons will enjoy home games against Wests Tigers and the Panthers to begin the season before making the daunting trip to Canberra to face last season's grand finalists. A clash with Parramatta at Bankwest Stadium concludes the Red V's opening month.

Five key match-ups
Rabbitohs (Round 6, ANZ Stadium; Round 25, WIN Stadium): St George Illawarra looked to have pulled off an upset against Souths in round 19 to keep their slim finals hopes alive. Then the Rabbitohs regained the ball from a short kick-off and snatched the win on full-time. The bitter memories from that game may well be in the minds of the Dragons when they next meet Wayne Bennett's men. The famous clubs will again lock horns to conclude the regular season.

Roosters (Round 7, SCG; Round 17, SCG): One of the special events on the rugby league calendar, Dragons and Roosters fans always look forward to Anzac Day. The Dragons will hope to be in finals contention when they come up against the Tricolours just after the Origin period.

• See the full 2020 Telstra Premiership draw
• Add the draw to your calendar
• 2020 Draw by Round.pdf

Knights (Round 9, McDonald Jones Stadium): Last season's heavy loss to the Knights has been labelled the moment St George Illawarra's campaign fell away. Avenging that thumping will go some way to exorcising any remaining demons.

Bulldogs (Round 13, ANZ Stadium; Round 22, WIN Stadium): It would have been enjoyable for the Dragons to cruise to two big victories over the Bulldogs last season given the history between the clubs. But Canterbury now seem to be on the up, so these matches could be tight.

Sharks (Round 14, Netstrata Jubliee Stadium; Round 24, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium): Beaten twice by "little brother" Cronulla in 2019, St George Illawarra have ample motivation to turn the tables. The fact the Sharks are now sharing the Dragons' spiritual home of Netstrata Jubilee Stadium will only add to a fierce local rivalry.



Five key match-ups of the Dragons' 2020 draw

Toughest stretch
Rounds 4-8 offer little respite for the Dragons, with games against three of last season's top four in the Rabbitohs, Roosters and Storm - plus 2019 finalists Parramatta. Throw in the Warriors, who have had the wood over St George Illawarra recently, to cap off a stern early-year test.

And another thing
St George Illawarra's lone Monday game comes against the Bulldogs in the Queen's Birthday tussle.

St George Illawarra Dragons in 2020
Where will they finish in the Telstra Premiership?

St George Illawarra Dragons in 2020 Where will they finish in the Telstra Premiership?

• They’ll be premiers
  0%
• In the finals but no title
  0%
• Just miss the playoffs
  0%
• Around the bottom of the ladder
  0%

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/10/29/st-george-illawarra-dragons-2020-draw-snapshot/

 

[getsmarty]

NRL draw: Turning 125 trillion options into fan-friendly schedule
Author
Dan Walsh NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Tue 29 Oct 2019, 10:00 AM

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has described the 2020 draw as the "most challenging" ever created, with 125 trillion possible combinations boiled down to more regional games and fewer five-day turnarounds in a fan-friendly schedule.

The NRL announced the draw for next season at Rugby League Central on Tuesday, with months of preparation required to navigate renovations at ANZ Stadium, Cronulla's Shark Park and the continued rebuild of Allianz Stadium.

The much-needed upgrades across Sydney resulted in 314 dates being "blocked out" before a final schedule was circulated to clubs and key stakeholders late last week.

Magic Round will return in the first week of May as a three-day festival of footy at Suncorp Stadium, while Origin will break new ground with the men's series kicking off in Adelaide and the women's clash heading to the Sunshine Coast for the first time.

Key features of the 2020 draw include:

• Blockbusters and an expectation of possibly four capacity crowds across round one as Parramatta host Canterbury at Bankwest Stadium, North Queensland christen their new North Queensland Stadium against arch rivals Brisbane, The Battle of Brookvale between Manly and Melbourne reignites at Lottoland and Penrith host back-to-back champions the Roosters;
• Three Anzac Day games with the Cowboys hosting Canterbury in Townsville in between the traditional Roosters-Dragons and Storm-Warriors matches on Saturday, April 25;
• Eight NRL games in regional areas with Gosford, Sunshine Coast, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga and Bathurst hosting games in 2020;
• A slight reduction in five-day turnarounds, from 26 last year to 25 in 2020;
• The Roosters-Raiders grand final rematch being held in Perth in round 11, while NRL games will once again be held in Darwin, Christchurch and Wellington.

The NRL has again employed Canadian software firm Optimal Planning Solutions to crunch the numbers using its 48-core computers – which boast roughly 24 times the processing power of a standard laptop.

Greenberg pointed to the unprecedented logistical hurdles posed by Sydney's stadium upgrades in delivering next year's NRL draw.

"We are proud of this schedule," Greenberg said.

"It’s a win for our fans and a win for our players while still providing our broadcast partners, who invest so much into our game, with gripping content.

"Five-day turnarounds are down, more big matches will be played during the day and on weekends, and more parts of the country can see our great game live than ever before.

"This year has been our most challenging year. ANZ Stadium goes offline midway through the season, Shark Park is offline all season and Allianz Stadium is offline for the second year in a row, while the SCG has multiple tenants.

"That leaves limited venues and limited dates to make a schedule work. In all, 314 dates were blocked out for season 2020.

"Amongst all that there are 125 trillion game combinations when you consider home and away, venues, game options, timeslots, broadcaster picks, days of the week and club requests.

"On top of that we need to land on a schedule which aligns with our broadcast partners, who deliver so much for the game, but also ensures a draw that is fair for all clubs, their fans and fits in with venue availability.

"The [Optimal Planning Solutions] program delivered more than 2000 schedules, which was then reduced to 150 that was tested against our key criteria, and then reduced to 15 for full review."

2020 Telstra Premiership
Who will be the premiers?

2020 Telstra Premiership Who will be the premiers?

• Tigers
  0%
• Warriors
  0%
• Roosters
  0%
• Rabbitohs
  0%
• Dragons
  0%
• Broncos
  0%
• Raiders
  0%
• Bulldogs
  0%
• Sharks
  0%
• Panthers
  0%
• Eels
  0%
• Titans
  0%
• Cowboys
  0%
• Knights
  0%
• Storm
  0%
• Sea Eagles
  0%

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/201...-trillion-options-into-fan-friendly-schedule/

 

[getsmarty]

Play of the year | Dufty scorches Roosters on Anzac Day
Matt Dufty produced one of the best tries of the 2019 NRL season in our Round 7 ANZAC Day match against the Sydney Roosters. Dufty, Corey Norman and Cameron McInnes break down the scintillating play.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/10/29/play-of-the-year--dufty-scorches-roosters-on-anzac-day/

 

[getsmarty]

NRL 2020: WIN season-opener a first for the Dragons

• 
  Mitch Jennings

Dragons Den

HOME: Dragons fans on the hill at WIN Stadium. Picture: Adam McLean

ST GEORGE Illawarra will open its season at WIN Stadium for the first time in the joint-venture's history in 2020, a year that will also see the club play six games at the venue for the first time since 2013.

The release of the full NRL draw on Tuesday confirmed the club will split 11 of its 12 home games between its traditional homes, with Kogarah hosting five games and the Dragons hosting the annual Anzac Day clash with the Roosters at the SCG.

The Dragons have opened their season at Kogarah just four times in their history, but next year's Sunday evening showdown with the Tigers in round one will be a first for Wollongong.

Six games is an increase on the four the club played at WIN last season and the five it hosted in 2018, brought about in part by the NSW government's major stadium upgrades.

The club will return to Mudgee for the preseason Charity Shield but will not take an NRL fixture to the bush after they were thumped 45-12 at Glen Willow Oval in round 10 this year.

They'll also pick up a bonus 'home' game when they face arch-rivals Cronulla at Kogarah in round 24, with the Sharks shifting home games to the venue due to renovations to Shark Park.

Wollongong will also host the Warriors on Easter Sunday in round five, one of nine Sunday fixtures for the club, the Sea Eagles in round 12 and grand finalists' the Raiders in round 19.

WIN Stadium will also host potential blockbusters against the Bulldogs in round 22 and South Sydney in round 25 should all three be jostling for finals positions.

Paul McGregor's side will have just two interstate trips in the first 19 rounds, facing Melbourne as part of a shortened Magic Round in Brisbane in round seven before returning to take on the Broncos a fortnight later. The draw won't see them travel to Melbourne, Townsville and New Zealand.

The Origin period also shapes as a manageable one, going without their stars against Manly in round 12 with a five-day turn into their traditional June long-weekend clash with the Bulldogs.

They'll also enjoy a round-16 bye ahead of Origin III with a clash with the Roosters to follow four days after the final game of the series.


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...eason-opener-a-first-for-the-dragons/?cs=3713

 

[getsmarty]

De Belin drama no excuse

• 
  Mitch Jennings

Local Sport

LOOKING INWARD: The Dragons won't let the Jack de Belin saga be a distraction this preseason. Picture: NRL Photos

IT loomed large over their 2019 campaign but the ongoing Jack de Belin saga won't disrupt the Dragons preparations for next season according to star prop Paul Vaughan.

De Belin was stood down in February under the NRL's controversial no-fault stand-down policy after he was charged with aggravated sexual assault.

De Belin vehemently denies his guilt and mounted a challenge to the policy, with the support of the Rugby League Players Association, in the NSW Federal Court.

The court's ruling came down in favour of the NRL two days before the Dragons were smashed 45-12 by the Knights in Mudgee - a point from which they never recovered.

De Belin dropped an appeal against the decision in September after he and co-accused Callan Sinclair's trial date on the charges was brought forward to March 2 next year.

It will come just two weeks before the start of the 2020 season, ensuring the matter will linger around the Dragons preseason, but Vaughan says his side won't be derailed this time around.

"You can't say 'oh we didn't play well because we had this hanging over us. I think that's done now," Vaughan said.

"Best case scenario Jack gets through and, he's one of the best forwards in the game so he'll improve our team, but we can only focus on the task at hand.

"Obviously there's going to be a lot of media around that because that's the way these things are.

"We just need the boys keen to get into preseason and be a hundred per cent focused and mentally strong enough to get through that."


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/6464467/de-belin-drama-no-excuse/?cs=302

 

[getsmarty]

Bunnies launch audacious raid of old rival to poach Roos star as Sam Burgess replacement
NRL Premiership

• October 29, 2019 4:42pm
• James Hooper@jimmyhooper
• Source: FOX SPORTS

Could Tyson Frizell be Redfern bound?Source: AAP
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are targeting Kangaroos, NSW and St George Illawarra enforcer Tyson Frizell as a replacement for English international Sam Burgess.

Fox Sports has learned South Sydney has identified Frizell as the type of seasoned representative forward who could be a perfect fit for the expected-to-be outgoing 2014 Clive Churchill Medal winner.



The Burgess retirement issue is tipped to soon be resolved with a Rabbitohs board meeting this week expected to be informed the champion forward needs to be medically retired.

Frizell is currently contracted with the Dragons until the end of 2020 with the Red V expected to block any attempt to try and grant the Kangaroos back-rower an early release.

South Sydney have been preparing a case for why Burgess should be allowed to be medically retired after sustaining a new shoulder injury in a round five match against the Warriors earlier this season.

Tyson Frizell is jubilant after scoring for the Kangaroos against the Kiwis.Source: Getty Images
The most pressing question for the NRL to determine is how much — if any — of Burgess’s $1 million plus contract should be included in South Sydney’s salary cap for the next three years.



South Sydney are not the only club to be linked with Frizell with the Parramatta Eels also closely monitoring his contract negotiations with the Dragons.

Frizell, 28, has played 157 NRL appearances for the Dragons and Cronulla since making his debut in 2011. He is currently contracted with the Red V until the end of next year.

On the representative football front, Frizell has excelled at State of Origin and Test match level.

But as much as he has won State of Origin series with the Blues and a World Cup with the Kangaroos, NRL finals appearances have been few and far between.

Of the three finals campaigns the Dragons forward has featured in 2012 (Sharks), 2015 (Dragons) and 2018 (Dragons), Frizell has never made it past week one in September.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/373439ecce74bd03bb9a4930d9cdabfa

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons and Tigers consider Matterson-Leilua player swap
Adrian Proszenko
October 29, 2019 — 8.01pm

• Send via Email

Ryan Matterson could head to St George Illawarra on a player swap with Luciano Leilua in a move that would result in the star forward taking on Wests Tigers in the opening weekend of the 2020 season.

Dragons officials met with Matterson’s management on Tuesday to express their interest and work through a range of scenarios with a view to snaring him.

Matterson’s future remains undecided after the Tigers granted him permission to speak to rival clubs despite having two years remaining on his existing deal. The 25-year-old has been excused from training commitments for “personal reasons” until his future is decided.

Ryan Matterson could involved in a player swap with Luciano Leilua.Credit:NRL Photos

The Dragons, Eels, Rabbitohs and Titans are among the contenders for Matterson’s signature. However, the Tigers have made it clear they won’t part company unless they get a favourable outcome in the form of a player swap or financial compensation.

That could potentially be satisfied by Leilua, despite the fact he too is currently under contract. The younger brother of Joseph Leilua has made 43 NRL appearances after making his debut in 2016 but hasn’t nailed a starting spot in coach Paul McGregor’s side.

The Samoan international has shown glimpses of the potential that had him earmarked as one of the most promising young forwards in the game but could benefit from a fresh start.

Tigers coach Michael Maguire is assessing all of his options as several clubs attempt to offload players due to salary cap pressures. Cronulla playmaker Matt Moylan and Titans utility AJ Brimson are other targets the Tigers are considering as Maguire attempts to reshape his roster.

Leilua is an attractive proposition given he could help fill the void that Matterson would leave in the forward pack if the fringe NSW backrower is released.

The Dragons are also mindful that lock Jack de Belin can only return to the side if he is acquitted of rape charges. De Belin’s hearing is scheduled to begin on March 2, with an outcome expected just before the start of the 2020 season. Matterson is viewed as a strong addition to the Red V regardless of de Belin’s availability.


Nine lives: Raiders score TV coup in 2020 NRL draw
With preseason training set to commence for some clubs next week, Matterson is hoping to have his future resolved as soon as possible.

Souths are also a contender for Matterson’s services, particularly if Sam Burgess is forced into premature retirement due to his shoulder issues. How much the Rabbitohs will have to spend will depend on whether the club is granted salary cap dispensation for Burgess.

The transfer market is set to go into overdrive from November 1, the date from which clubs can negotiate with players who are off contract at the end of 2020. The big-name free agents include David Fifita, Jack Wighton, Latrell Mitchell, Jake and Tom Trbojevic, Cody Walker, Jai Arrow, Josh Jackson and Tyson Frizell.

However, there is likely to be more immediate movement as clubs tinker with their rosters ahead of their 2020 campaigns.


https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/dr...erson-leilua-player-swap-20191029-p535hi.html

Thank you redVinme

 

[getsmarty]

CLUB NEWS


2020 Charity Shield date, tickets confirmed
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Wed 30 Oct 2019, 10:00 AM

The wait is finally over for Mudgee rugby league fans with the date of the 2020 Charity Shield revealed as Saturday, February 29.

Mayor of the Mid-Western Region Des Kennedy was joined by South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly and St George Illawarra Dragons CEO Brian Johnston for Wednesday's announcement at Mudgee's Glen Willow Stadium.

It will be the third time the Mudgee stadium has played host to the annual pre-season game as part of a four-year partnership between Mid-Western Regional Council, the Rabbitohs and the Dragons.

The 2018 and 2019 games broke attendance records at the venue with more than 9,000 spectators attending.

Mayor of the Mid-Western Region Des Kennedy said he was excited to welcome the clubs back to the region.

"It is always a pleasure to welcome back the Rabbitohs and Dragons who engage with our community each game with visits to schools, nursing homes and sporting clubs.

"This shared partnership is a major benefit to our region, both from a social and recreational standpoint as well as economically, and only further demonstrates that Glen Willow is the best stadium in regional NSW.

"It looks to be a bumper weekend, with visitors to the region encouraged to experience an authentic country show in Gulgong and exciting race meet in Mudgee in addition to experiencing all the footy action up close and personal at the Glen Willow Stadium."

Dragons CEO Johnston said the club is looking forward to returning to Mudgee in 2020.

"We are all delighted to be returning to Mudgee for our third-straight season to play what is an important game on our annual calendar," Mr Johnston said.

"Not only is the Charity Shield played for a number of good causes; it's also proven to be an enjoyable spectacle for the Central West locals and the ideal preparation for both combatants over the past 37 years.

"We have thoroughly enjoyed engaging with local communities throughout the Central West in past years, and this will be no different when the Dragons return to the area in February."

Rabbitohs CEO Solly is delighted to be returning to Mudgee for the 37th Charity Shield.

"Everyone at the Rabbitohs is excited about returning to Glen Willow Stadium for the Charity Shield next year," Mr Solly said.

"The town has embraced our club over the past two seasons. We also feel our club and Souths Cares have embraced the town by playing top quality football and working in the community through Souths Cares' programs.

“It’s important for our club, and the sport in general, to support the people that support us. The people of Mudgee and its surrounding areas in Central West NSW have shown time and again that rugby league is in their veins, and they are prepared to come out and support not only our team, but also our nominated charity in Souths Cares.

"It's a great way for us to put the final touches to our pre-season preparations as we work towards our round one fixture against the Sharks. I know the players have always said the Charity Shield is the closest pre-season game in terms of intensity to that which they experience in the NRL proper, and the coaching staff also see the Charity Shield as a fair-dinkum audition for Round 1. We can't wait for kick-off!"

Dragons and Rabbitohs member pre-sale opens 11am, Wednesday, October 30 with tickets released to the general public on Friday, November 1 at 11am.

Tickets will be available from www.123tix.com.au. Dragons and Rabbitohs club member entitlements apply. Refer to your membership information for more details.

Bumper Charity Shield weekend in the Mudgee Region

Visitors to the region are invited to experience a traditional country show at the 132nd Gulgong Show on Saturday, February 29, the morning of the game. Enjoy a full day of entertainment including shearing demonstrations, yard dog trials, whip cracking, petting zoo, rodeo and much more.

On Sunday, March 1, Mudgee Race Club will host the Country Championships Central District Heat Race Day. Tickets can be purchased as an add-on to football ticket purchases at 123tix.com.au


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/10/30/2020-charity-shield-date-confirmed/

 

[getsmarty]

Graham: 'It's been pleasure to share the field with Burgess'
Author
Corey Rosser NRL.com reporter
Timestamp
Wed 30 Oct 2019, 05:09 PM

It's a big call but Sam Burgess's long-time England teammate James Graham believes the retiring Rabbitoh is possibly "the biggest" superstar in the NRL.

Graham – who famously fractured Burgess's cheekbone in a head clash just seconds into the 2014 NRL grand final – said his 30-year-old rival would leave a massive hole at South Sydney and for the sport in general following confirmation the South Sydney skipper would was retiring immediately due to a shoulder injury.

Burgess's younger brother Thomas, who is also in camp in Auckland with the Great Britain Lions alongside Graham to prepare for Saturday's Test against New Zealand, paid tribute to Sam for setting the family up with a new life in Australia.

"From the game's point of view he's a huge loss. The competition is going to be poorer for him not being there, he's one of the game's biggest superstars, if not the biggest superstar," Graham said.

"He's one of the best players of the generation to play. He will be remembered for a very long time, especially for what he did for South Sydney in ending their [title] drought.

"Not just in the grand final in 2014, but it's the things that he did the years before and the performances he gave to put them in a position to win the grand final."



Meninga rates Burgess in top two English imports

A shoulder injury suffered earlier this season caused the 30-year-old forward to call time on his career after playing 182 games for South Sydney and 24 Tests for Great Britain and England.

Tom said in addition to paving the way for he and brothers George and Luke on the field, Sam was the catalyst for a massive life-changing experience for the entire Burgess clan when he made the decision to move to the Rabbitohs in 2010.

"He's been a trailblazer for myself and our family in coming out to Australia," Tom said.



Tom Burgess reacts to brother Sam’s sudden retirement

"He didn't really tell me [what was going on] in that respect, he just said it's been decided.

"We've had our good times, I don't want to be greedy in that respect. I'm just thankful for the time that we have had together as brothers playing together. I'll cherish them forever.

"I support him in his decision … we have just got to sort of celebrate and smile about what he has done in the game. It was earlier than we would have liked, but we have just got to take it and move on really. There's more to life I think than footy."

Graham also said Burgess was a player who helped him reach new heights.

"It's been an absolute pleasure to share the field with him," Graham told NRL.com.

"He's taken me further. He's one of those players that when you played with him you wanted to go the extra mile because it's him telling you to do it or because you're playing by his side.

"Playing against him you knew you had to be on your game. As a friend and a teammate I'm disappointed for him, I can't imagine this is the way he would have wanted to finish his career."

George, Sam and Tom Burgess on the bench during a Rabbitohs game in 2019. Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos
While the pair played numerous Tests together for Great Britain and England – and went head to head across eight NRL seasons – Graham said it's the early memories of Sam which stand out.

"There were a couple of times he played at Bradford which stick out in the memory, and the game for Great Britain when he took on Fuifui Moimoi in his pomp," Graham said.

"That clash with Moimoi sort of announced him on the international scene.

"Then obviously some of the performances for South Sydney have just been outstanding – some of those games where we went against each other – and the one most people will remember is the 2014 grand final."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/10/31/graham-its-been-pleasure-to-share-the-field-with-burgess/

 

[BLM01]

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/topic/dragons/
Graham: 'It's been pleasure to share the field with Burgess'
Author
Corey Rosser NRL.com reporter
Timestamp
Wed 30 Oct 2019, 05:09 PM

It's a big call but Sam Burgess's long-time England teammate James Graham believes the retiring Rabbitoh is possibly "the biggest" superstar in the NRL.

Graham – who famously fractured Burgess's cheekbone in a head clash just seconds into the 2014 NRL grand final – said his 30-year-old rival would leave a massive hole at South Sydney and for the sport in general following confirmation the South Sydney skipper would was retiring immediately due to a shoulder injury.

Burgess's younger brother Thomas, who is also in camp in Auckland with the Great Britain Lions alongside Graham to prepare for Saturday's Test against New Zealand, paid tribute to Sam for setting the family up with a new life in Australia.

"From the game's point of view he's a huge loss. The competition is going to be poorer for him not being there, he's one of the game's biggest superstars, if not the biggest superstar," Graham said.

"He's one of the best players of the generation to play. He will be remembered for a very long time, especially for what he did for South Sydney in ending their [title] drought.

"Not just in the grand final in 2014, but it's the things that he did the years before and the performances he gave to put them in a position to win the grand final."



Meninga rates Burgess in top two English imports

A shoulder injury suffered earlier this season caused the 30-year-old forward to call time on his career after playing 182 games for South Sydney and 24 Tests for Great Britain and England.

Tom said in addition to paving the way for he and brothers George and Luke on the field, Sam was the catalyst for a massive life-changing experience for the entire Burgess clan when he made the decision to move to the Rabbitohs in 2010.

"He's been a trailblazer for myself and our family in coming out to Australia," Tom said.



Tom Burgess reacts to brother Sam’s sudden retirement

"He didn't really tell me [what was going on] in that respect, he just said it's been decided.

"We've had our good times, I don't want to be greedy in that respect. I'm just thankful for the time that we have had together as brothers playing together. I'll cherish them forever.

"I support him in his decision … we have just got to sort of celebrate and smile about what he has done in the game. It was earlier than we would have liked, but we have just got to take it and move on really. There's more to life I think than footy."

Graham also said Burgess was a player who helped him reach new heights.

"It's been an absolute pleasure to share the field with him," Graham told NRL.com.

"He's taken me further. He's one of those players that when you played with him you wanted to go the extra mile because it's him telling you to do it or because you're playing by his side.

"Playing against him you knew you had to be on your game. As a friend and a teammate I'm disappointed for him, I can't imagine this is the way he would have wanted to finish his career."

George, Sam and Tom Burgess on the bench during a Rabbitohs game in 2019. Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos
While the pair played numerous Tests together for Great Britain and England – and went head to head across eight NRL seasons – Graham said it's the early memories of Sam which stand out.

"There were a couple of times he played at Bradford which stick out in the memory, and the game for Great Britain when he took on Fuifui Moimoi in his pomp," Graham said.

"That clash with Moimoi sort of announced him on the international scene.

"Then obviously some of the performances for South Sydney have just been outstanding – some of those games where we went against each other – and the one most people will remember is the 2014 grand final."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/10/31/graham-its-been-pleasure-to-share-the-field-with-burgess/

The organisation with all the grey areas and loopholes being the NRL
I am sorry but I am joining the dots and i dont believe 2 years in a row Souths pull the medical retirement card as the only reason for the so called (medical) retirements of 2 great players...and trying to seek full salary cap relief compo
It would not have anything to do with their length of contracts, state of minds, desire to quit and stuff going on off the field.
No problems if they have had enough, not interested to play again and need time away from the limelight
I have also heard the Burgeii clan has not really enthralled Uncle Wayne in 2019 with what has gone down. (from a Souths staunch member)

Dragons need to make a decision in a hurry as from Nov 1 any cap relief exemption for JDB starts to dwindle if he cant play next year from full salary Nov 1 to say to 2/3rds come March 2020

 

[getsmarty]

Red V’s spending spree: Dragons set for $4m roster overhaul to launch premiership assault
NRL Premiership

• October 31, 2019 3:33pm
• James Hooper@jimmyhooper
• Source: FOX SPORTS

The Dragons are set for a major roster overhaulSource: AAP
The cashed-up St George Illawarra Dragons have stockpiled a $4 million war chest for 2021 as the Red V look to sharpen their roster for a premiership assault.

The Dragons have 12 players in their top squad off-contract at the end of next season headed by representative stars Tyson Frizell, Jack de Belin and James Graham.

Young guns Luciano Leilua, Jackson Ford and Zac Lomax also form a part of the Red V’s roster jigsaw, with other off-contract players including Euan Aitken, Jacob Host, Tim Lafai, Josh Kerr, Jonus Pearson and Mikaele Ravalawa.

As evidenced by the Parramatta Eels’ resurgence from a wooden spoon last year to the second week of September this season, having almost half of your top 30 roster off-contract can often work in favour of clubs.

St George Illawarra have not been active in the open market since landing the signatures of halfback Ben Hunt and English international Graham at the end of 2017.

But with so many big-name players off-contract, the club will be in a position to make some smart roster management decisions.



A host of big-name players will all be able to sign with rival clubs as of November 1 for the 2021 season.

The Dragons are monitoring the situation of Wests Tigers star Ryan Matterson, who is expected to make a call to sign with Parramatta later this week.


No question the Dragons need a big summer and a fast start to next season after finishing 15th this year.

Coach Paul McGregor finished last season under increasing pressure but will welcome some new assistants in Shane Flanagan and Jamie Shepherd.

Club favourite Dean Young will still form a key part of McGregor’s coaching assistants but Ben Hornby and Matt Head have moved on.

Flanagan will not be allowed to start his role until December 18 with the NRL insisting he complete a 12-month suspension.


https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...t/news-story/9e0fb7af754cb22033c3320f87b7c80c

 

[getsmarty]

Kerr, Lovodua re-signed; Saab promoted to Top 30
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Fri 1 Nov 2019, 06:56 AM

St George Illawarra have announced that front-rower Josh Kerr and utility Joe Lovodua have re-signed with the club, while winger Jason Saab has been promoted to the Dragons' Top 30 ahead of the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership season.

Kerr enjoyed a stellar 2019 season where he represented the Indigenous All Stars for the first time and was rewarded his NRL debut in Round 2 last season.

With seven first grade games now to his name, Kerr is looking forward to bigger and better things in 2020 after signing a one-year extension.

"I'm very excited to sign again with the Dragons. I've been here for three seasons now, and from where I've come from to where I am now, for the club to help me live out my dream [of playing first grade] the only thing left for me to do was to re-sign and hopefully take my game to another level," Kerr said.

"2019 was the biggest year for me by far. I didn't have the greatest year the season prior but the coaching and performance staff showed a lot of faith in me and helped me reach where I needed to be.

"I need to keep working hard now. Nothing is ever promised in rugby league, so I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead in 2020."

Director of Rugby League Pathways and List Management Ian Millward said he was hopeful Kerr would lock down a permanent spot in the Dragons' 17 next season.

"Josh has been a really good story for us. We took him out of the Melbourne Storm system where he was a Queensland Origin Under-20s player. He's been a really good project for our club and we are proud of his progress so far," Millward said.

"He's not only the fastest forward at our club over 40 metres but statistically he has one of the quickest play-the-balls in the NRL, which is why we had opposition from other clubs trying to sign him.

"We are really looking forward to him playing many NRL games for the Dragons in 2020. He's at a stage now where he should be putting his hand up and demanding a first grade spot."

Saab – who remains contracted to the Red V until at least the end of the 2022 season – has been promoted to the NRL Top 30 a year earlier than initially anticipated.

Saab made his NRL debut in Round 19 this year, and although injury prevented him from seeing out the 2019 season, he'd finish the year with three first games and three tries to his name.

"We dipped Jason's toes in the NRL waters last year and he's made great strides ever since. With him making his first grade debut in 2019, we wanted to advance him into our Top 30 so he's available for selection from Round 1," Millward said.

"He's a player we have earmarked to be a long-term Dragons winger and we're excited by his progress so far."

Fiji international Lovodua – who will feature against Samoa on Saturday afternoon – has been re-signed for a further season and will progress to the Dragons' Top 30 in 2020, after spending the previous two seasons in the club's development player squad.

Lovodua proved his capabilities in numerous positions in 2019 and was consistently one of the Dragons' best in the minor premiership-winning Canterbury Cup team.

"Joe has progressed through the same pathway as Jason Saab in regards to being St George juniors and progressing through to our Top 30 from the development player squad," Millward said.

"He's a real multi-skilled player Joe; it's hard to put your finger on what his position is. He can play centre, five-eighth, hooker and in the back row, but has really shown he's capabilities at No. 9 especially when representing Fiji."


Saab and Lovodua join Dragons Top 30

Following the re-signings of Kerr and Lovodua and Saab's promotion to the Top 30, the Dragons have now reached the required quota of 24 players signed before November 1. This includes back-rower Tyson Frizell who remains contracted to the club.

"What is really excited is that of the 24 players contracted, 22 of them have played first grade. Those who haven't are previous development players in Joe and Eddie Blacker, who was always transitioning into our Top 30 in 2020," Millward said.

"It goes to show our pathways are working too. Whether it be (Jacob) Host, Luciano (Leilua) and (Matt) Dufty, through to those who debuted last year in Tristan (Sailor), Jackson Ford and Jason (Saab), we won't be short on first grade experience.

"We have six spots to fill now and I'm sure out of that we will bring players with first grade experience into our organisation ahead of 2020."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/11/01/kerr-lovodua-re-signed-saab-promoted-to-top-30/

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons appoint Flanagan to fix defensive frailties

Adrian Proszenko
1 day ago

AAP Shane Flanagan has been given an opportunity to work in the NRL again.
Shane Flanagan has been tasked with stiffening up a St George Illawarra side that leaked the second most points in the competition last season after joining the club as its defensive coach.

Flanagan will join the Red V as an assistant to Paul McGregor before the players return for pre-season duty from annual leave. The NRL has cleared the premiership-winning coach to return to the game but won’t be eligible for a head coaching role before 2022 after breaching the terms of his 2014 suspension.


The Dragons leaked 575 points last season, the worst defence in the league aside from the Titans (651). Flanagan will be responsible for plugging the defensive leaks as the side attempts to return to finals football in 2020.

The club could make an official announcement as soon as next week.

“Shane Flanagan is someone who is very much respected in rugby league,” said Dragons forward James Graham.

“He won a competition as a head coach not that long ago. He would be a welcome addition to any organisation.”

Another premiership-winning coach, Phil Gould, helped conduct the club’s post-season review. The Dragons remain hopeful Gould will accept a permanent position.

“Gus is obviously someone respected by the majority of the rugby league community,” Graham said.

“Speaking to him, he seems intelligent and knows and loves our game. If that role was to become available, he ticks all the boxes.”


https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/dragons-appoint-flanagan-to-fix-defensive-frailties/ar-AAJFMeH

 

[getsmarty]

Cook ready to put hard sell on Frizell

• NRL
  
  
  
  They're already school mates and Blues buddies but could Tyson Frizell join Damien Cook at Souths?
• 
  
• If South Sydney target Tyson Frizell as the man to replace Sam Burgess, hooker Damien Cook will have no issue putting the hard sell on with the pair on Kangaroos duty together in New Zealand.
  
  The NRL was rocked on Wednesday when the Rabbitohs confirmed Burgess had been forced to retire due to a chronic shoulder injury.
  
  But the focus now turns to which big-name the club will chase to fill the million-dollar hole left by his departure.
  
  The announcement came just two days before a galaxy of stars enter the final year of their current deals and are allowed to field official offers from rival teams.
  
  Just how much salary cap space Souths will have is yet to be determined, with the NRL investigating the circumstances around Burgess' career-ending injury.
  
  The 30-year-old England international had three more seasons to run on his reported $1million-a-year deal, signed just over 12 months ago.
  
  Brisbane powerhouse David Fifita has already been linked to the club, however it is Frizell who could be at the top of Rabbitohs' wish-list.
  
  The St George Illawarra second-rower has been forced to repeatedly address rumours of his unhappiness in Wollongong over the past year.
  
  Cook knows Frizell well, having gone to school with him on the NSW south coast.
  
  "It's a bit early to be talking about replacing Sam already but the club does, we do have to move on from Sam as well, as much as he's given our club," Cook said.
  
  "Sam's going to stick around as well I'm sure and give us, make a massive impact away from the game as he did on the field."
  
  Frizell was in his first season with St George Illawarra but third year of his career when Cook made his first-grade debut at the Dragons in 2013.
  
  Six years on and the pair are staples in the NSW State of Origin team and the Kangaroos, who face a Tonga invitational team in Auckland on Saturday.
  
  "Talking about Friz personally, obviously he's a great player and I might have to have a good word to him in here (while in camp)," Cook said.
  
  "You'd take him. Any club would take Tyson Frizell.
  
  "If South Sydney end up with him, that'd be great."
  
  Australian Associated Press

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/6467347/cook-ready-to-put-hard-sell-on-frizell/?cs=7486

 

[getsmarty]

NRL HISTORY


NRL.com legend Q&A: Tony Priddle
Author
Rugby League Week
Timestamp
Mon 4 Nov 2019, 10:01 AM

Tony Priddle didn't win a premiership, but he was part of a St George team that reached back-to-back grand finals.

The hard-working prop then lived through the upheaval - both good and bad - that was caused by the Super League war.

In this Legend Q & A, which first appeared in Rugby League Week in 2013, Priddle discusses his career.

Tony Priddle - Q&A
You come from an area that has been good to the Dragons?
Yes, I'm from Maclean in Northern NSW - where the club got both Brian and Tony Smith. And Nathan Brown was just a couple of years younger than me. From there, I won selection in NSW under 19s in 1989 and we played at Lang Park.

The crowd just gave it to us - I felt like they were blowing us off the park. It was an amazing experience in the effect of negative energy on me - remember I was a kid from a town of 3000 people. It was daunting. Despite that, we won and I played okay, and had four or five Sydney clubs chasing me as a result.

Why did you choose the Dragons?
I was going to study sports science at NSW University's Oatley campus and that was just a short drive from the Dragons' base at Kogarah so it was convenience more than anything. I was a Penrith fan as a kid and used to absolutely hate the Dragons, but I got over it.

I know a lot of bush kids tell you they feel lost when they come to the city but for me, it was the opposite. I felt I never fit in back home, whereas the city was where I belonged. But to be honest, I was shocked and disappointed at the standard of training when I got to the Dragons.

I expected it to be super professional and it was really like country footy but on a larger scale. The game wasn't very professional still at that time.

Tony Priddle takes on the Eels defence. NRL Photos
Did it take you long to break into first grade?
I got a lucky break - two props didn't turn up to training and I got straight into the team. I thought 'How good is this?'. But the feeling didn't last long. I was only 19, playing against a fair Parramatta team.

They beat us, this Parra fan just abused me as I walked off the field - I'll never forget it - and the next week I was back in the under 21s ... not the ideal start to first grade and it took me a while to get over it.

Tony Priddle carts the ball up against Western Suburbs. NRL Photos
But you found your feet the next couple of years?
Brian Smith came to the club in 1991 and I found him an awesome coach. I played 21 games that year and really felt a part of the team. The next year we shocked everyone by making the grand final against the Broncos.

They were too good for us on the day and I only wish I knew then what I know now. We just scraped through and there was a perception that we were just happy to be there.

I was full of nerves and self-doubt in the build-up - part of me thought I wasn't good enough. I didn't sleep all week and that sapped my energy - I was spent before I even got onto the field. I couldn't conquer my inner demons and let it all get the better of me.

And the next year, you met the Broncos in the grand final again?
Yes, by 1993, we were a different side, more confident, and I really felt we could have won it that year. We pushed them, but in the end the Broncos had just too many big guns.

We were solid across the park, but when they were in trouble, guys like Allan Langer, Glenn Lazarus and Steve Renouf could just kick up a gear. It hurts playing two grand finals and losing them both, even more than 20 years later, but you learn to live with it - life goes on.

Manly's Nik Kosef tackles Tony Priddle. NRL Photos
Speaking of Langer, how real was the feud between the two clubs over his now infamous 'St George can't play' ditty?
We were made aware of it and it didn't worry me one way or another, but some of the boys definitely took it personally. It really hyped us up when we played them in that era - we wanted to beat them more and we had some great battles.

But I've played some charity matches with Alf since retiring and got to know him a bit - that's just the way he is. He loves taking the piss out of blokes and if anything, when he does that, you know you are his mate. At the time, people probably tried to make more of it than it was.

Two Canterbury players wrap up Tony Priddle. NRL Photos
Then along came Super League?
Yes, the Dragons went with the ARL but I had a meeting with Lachlan Murdoch and he explained his 'vision' for the game ... and offered to triple my salary. About that time I was having arguments with Smithy - my form was poor and I wasn't doing what he wanted out there - so with all that, it made signing with Super League an easy decision.

I copped some flak but not from the players - they understood. We would play ARL v Super League touch footy games at training - and we had 'Choc' (Anthony Mundine) and Gorden Tallis, so we often won!

Where did Super League place you?
Not many people would ever know it, but I went to the Bulldogs. I played three reserve grade games in 1997, then did my knee and was out for the year. The next year they sent me to play for Paris, which was a great experience, but we got relegated and I didn't have a club anymore.

For the final year of my Super League deal, Super League let me play for the Burleigh Bears. I was on $200,000 ... I think that made me the highest-paid player in the Queensland Cup by a fair way (laughs).

I stayed another two years after that before hanging up the boots and getting a real job. My wage went from $200K to $32K, so it was a reality check to say the least ... I can see why a lot of players struggle post-football.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/11/04/nrl.com-legend-qa-tony-priddle/

 

[getsmarty]

2020 NRL rosters: Official squads announced for all teams
Author
Dan Walsh NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Mon 4 Nov 2019, 08:55 PM

Kurt Capewell, Issac Luke, Jesse Ramien and Ryan Matterson headline the talent still unsigned with at least 36 roster spots to be filled before the 2020 season kicks off.

November 1 signals the start of rugby league's new financial year with each club confirming a minimum of 24 contracted players for next season.

Clubs then have until March 1 to register 29 players before top 30 squads are locked in at the end of June next year.

With Cronulla still juggling their salary cap, Matterson being released by Wests Tigers and medical retirement applications approved for Ben Matulino and Matt Gillett, the stalled player market is starting to roll into gear as teams begin returning for pre-season training.

Parramatta remain favourites to land Matterson with a three-year offer tabled last week, while the club has recently re-signed Brad Takairangi, David Gower, Marata Niukore, Ray Stone and Andrew Davey.

Michael Jennings's new two-year contract is understood to be in the final stages of being sorted.

Luke meanwhile has been linked to the Dragons on a cut-price deal, while Manly are understood to have also been in contact with his agent following Manase Fainu's standing down last week.

Capewell is still yet to land a deal for 2020 with the Tigers and Knights understood to have moved on from the Sharks back-rower.

Ramien meanwhile is still waiting for Cronulla to free up requisite salary cap space for his contract to be registered.

Premiership-winning Roosters prop and Kiwi international Zane Tetevano is also on the move, though his new home is yet to be confirmed after being left out of the Tricolours top squad.

Elsewhere, Brisbane have Jordan Kahu named among their 29-man cohort, confirming NRL.com's report on Friday that the Kiwi international will return to Red Hill in 2019.

Alex Glenn is a notable absentee from the Broncos squad, but is understood to have agreed in principle to a two-year extension, with paperwork to be finalised when he returns to pre-season training.

Five-eighth Te Maire Martin has not been included in the 27 players named by North Queensland. He will continue to train with their top squad after suffering a bleed on the brain in April, with a call to be made on his 2020 contract status after another scan at the end of November.

At Manly, former international Dylan Walker is understood to have signed a reduced two-year extension early last month, while the Sea Eagles have also signed outside back Brayden Musgrove from Newcastle.

Melbourne and St George Illawarra have left themselves the most room to move across the summer, naming 23- and 24-man squads respectively.


Young gun Tristan Sailor has not been included in their initial squad but the Dragons are confident a two-year extension will be finalised in coming weeks.

The Storm have been given an extra week to finalise their top 24 under provisions in NRL rules, with halfback Brodie Croft at this stage expected to stay at the club in 2020 after being given permission to negotiate with rivals.

At the opposite end of the spectrum Brisbane, Canterbury, Manly and South Sydney have all named 29-man squads.

Sam Burgess remains in the Rabbitohs list while the NRL assesses his medical retirement application.

Recent moves for each of the 16 Telstra Premiership clubs.


St George Illawarra Dragons

Player Contracted seasons
Euan Aitken 2020
Eddie Blacker 2020
Jack de Belin 2020
Matt Dufty 2020 2021
Jackson Ford 2020
Tyson Frizell 2020
James Graham 2020
Jacob Host 2020
Ben Hunt 2020 2021 2022 PO
Josh Kerr 2020
Tim Lafai 2020
Blake Lawrie 2020 2021 2022
Luciano Leilua 2020
Zachary Lomax 2020
Cameron McInnes 2020 2021
Corey Norman 2020 2021
Jonus Pearson 2020
Jordan Pereira 2020 2021
Mikaele Ravalawa 2020
Jason Saab 2020 2021 2022
Korbin Sims 2020 2021
Tariq Sims 2020 2021 2022
Paul Vaughan 2020 2021 PO
New faces
Eddie Blacker, Jackson Ford, Jason Saab (upgraded from development contracts)

Unsigned/Losses
Jeremy Latimore (retired), Gareth Widdop (Warrington), Reece Robson (Cowboys), Steven Marsters (Rabbitohs), Mitchell Allgood, Jai Field, Lachlan Maranta, Patrick Kaufusi, Darren Nicholls, Lachlan Timm, Tristan Sailor (unsigned)


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/11/04/2020-nrl-rosters-official-squads-announced-for-all-teams/

 

[getsmarty]

DRAGONS


Football department review finalised
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Fri 8 Nov 2019, 08:00 AM

The St George Illawarra Dragons have announced several key structural and personnel changes following the completion of the club's annual football department review.

A review of the Dragons' football department is commonplace at the completion of every NRL season. This year's review took on additional implications to ensure the club's unacceptable 15th place finish in 2019 wouldn't be repeated moving forward.

All aspects of the Dragons' football department were examined throughout this comprehensive internal and external review process. Experienced rugby league administrator and coach Phil Gould was involved with the review as an external consultant.

Dragons CEO Brian Johnston welcomed the conclusion of the extensive review and the consequential changes that have followed.

"Everyone at the Dragons were terribly dissatisfied with the club's 2019 season campaign which resulted in this wide-ranging internal and external review of the club's football department," Johnston said.

"The Dragons have made key structural changes to its coaching, performance and medical staff following the determination of a lack of experience within the wider group. This includes several new staff appointments to the football department.

"It was noted throughout the review that there needed to be a greater focus on club culture and leadership. In acknowledging this, the club have taken steps in this space in order to bring further accountability and discipline to the playing group.

"The Dragons are also in the process of renovating its facilities at WIN Stadium. This is for the benefit of not only the players but the staff situated in Wollongong as well.

"All of our stakeholders, including our partners, members and supporters can rest assured that the Dragons have not taken this process lightly and look forward to greater success in our upcoming campaign and beyond."

Former premiership-winning Sharks and Knights assistant coach James Shepherd will join Paul McGregor's coaching staff in 2020 following Ben Hornby's departure. One vacancy remains on the coaching staff. The Dragons are taking due diligence with this process and will finalise this appointment at a later date.

Adrian Jimenez will join the Dragons in 2020 as the NRL strength and conditioning coach from the Parramatta Eels. Jimenez previously spent 11 seasons with the Melbourne Storm and has also worked at the Penrith Panthers and with the New Zealand Test team.

Steve Dean has been promoted to lead NRL physiotherapist while former Sharks junior representative physio Davis Theobald will join the club as the rehab physiotherapist. New South Wales State of Origin head physiotherapist Dan Lawson will also re-join the Dragons on a part-time basis.

The Dragons have engaged Gerard Murphy of Leadership by Design to aid a clearer focus in the culture and leadership space. Murphy has worked in performance and team dynamics over the past two decades with AFL clubs Geelong, Richmond and Port Adelaide, both England rugby league and rugby union Test teams, the Great Britain Olympic team and English Premier League's West Ham United. Murphy's experience extends to the corporate world having previously worked with Caterpillar, Rip Curl, Nissan, Deloitte and Bunnings.

Further to this, mind and performance coach Matt Griggs – a former professional surfer who has worked alongside surfing world champions Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore – will facilitate lessons on meditation, among other things.

In confirming the Dragons' fresh approach ahead of 2020, the club have upgraded its Wollongong office facilities, with renovations and enhancements to the NRL change room and gym also underway.

The Dragons have currently signed 24 players in their Top 30 ahead of the 2020 Telstra Premiership season, the minimum quota required by November 1. The club remains in negotiations with a number of players for the final six spots within the squad. The Dragons are also close to finalising its development player squad.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor has endorsed the findings and outcomes of the football department review and is optimistic of a brighter 2020 season.

"Our performances throughout the 2019 season were not demonstrative of this proud club, given also the successful season we produced 12 months prior," McGregor said.

"There are plenty of positives that have come from the review. We accept we didn't play to our potential as a team last season. The review has also provided everyone involved a chance to reflect and learn from the hardships of 2019.

"The amount of change implemented across the football department hasn't occurred for a very long time and will provide a positive new approach to the 2020 season.

"I look forward to overseeing a collective rejuvenation of our on-field structures; this will be indicative of the football department changes as well as further involvement from the playing group."

The Dragons will commence pre-season training ahead of the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership season next week.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/11/08/football-department-review-finalised/

 

[Old Timer]

Talking of "news" it just shows how shit the NRL off season really is.

Anybody else sick of seeing the "new face" of the NRL Paul Gallen being in the paper day in day out?
I hope big Barry knocks the prick out inside 2 minutes just to prove he didn't need a 3 minute round.

Matty Johns and a $7m house just shows how f**ked up this game really is when that goose has that sort of wealth.

John Hopoate in the news as well, how the f**k does that thug warrant media attention?

Toronto Wolfpack recruits better than us.

The highlight being our much awaited review delivered on single ply sorbent.

I think I have to find something else to do for the next few months.

 

[getsmarty]

Home > Sports > NRL

Ben Creagh
Ben Creagh played 11 State of Origin games for NSW and 270 times for St George Illawarra. In this extract from the Talking With TK podcast, he talks about the Dragons’ 2010 Grand Final win and his rep career.



It was 2003, I had just turned 18, and one day at the back end of the year I was at work at Jamberoo Action Park and I got a call from Nathan Brown, the first grade coach at my club, St George Illawarra.



He said, ‘I want you to play first grade this weekend’. And I said, ‘Bullshit’. I could not believe it. It was a total shock to me.



The first person I spoke to was my dad and I said, ‘You’re not going to believe this.’



The rest of the week was a whirlwind; I had to tell my boss I’m out. He understood my passion was rugby league. It was my first year out of school.



The step up from (underage) football had been huge in terms of the speed, but also the men you’re playing against. My first-grade debut was a shocker. I was a scared kid and it showed. I was playing another level.



I remember vividly what happened. People come up to me and talk about games and you don’t mean to be rude but I struggle to remember them. It’s hard when you’ve played 270 games. But there are some games like that, your debut for example, I remember vividly the things that happened.



My first carry was off a scrum. Nathan Blacklock, the other winger said, ‘You have it’. We’re 20 metres out from our try line. And I dropped the ball on my first carry. Second half there was a voluntary tackle.



Bill Harrigan got me good. I went up for a bomb, juggled it, came down, felt a hand on my back and got up and played the ball. Inexperienced, rookie error. I wasn’t tackled, so bang a voluntary tackle. I probably didn’t understand the game enough to know I’d down the wrong thing.



I was devastated. It was round 21, 2003. Browny didn’t have to keep me in the side after that but he showed a sense of loyalty to me. He brought a young kid into the team and he stuck with me, kept playing me.

A few weeks later I was playing against Newcastle and Matt Gidley and Timana Tahu gave me an absolute bath. I went from right wing on debut to left wing against Newcastle and they scored three tries on me.



Looking back, he threw me in the deep end but you learn so much from mistakes like that and you can go one way or the other. You either put your head down and have a sook or put your hand up and go, ‘Can someone help me?’.



After round 26, I didn’t know if I’d ever play first grade again.



Max Ninnes, an assistant coach and recruitment manager, was huge for me as a young guy in the club. He was very detailed, coaching intricate skills such as holding the ball in contact, off-loading. He spent a lot of time with me teaching me how to be an edge back rower.



He must have seen something in me and he would be pulling me aside after training going, ‘We’re doing this’. Then later, I was pulling him aside saying, ‘We’re doing this’. He took a lot of time off me at the start when I didn’t think I needed it and I took a lot of time off him at the end.



He was so giving of his time but he was so honest as well. There was no bullshitting. He told me if I had a good game. Told me if I had a bad game.



I didn’t play footy since I was four years old – I was more into basketball as a kid – so there were a lot of skills I was deficient at and I had to learn quickly.





Huge Motivation
Everything moved so fast. Those years, 17, 18, I play my first first-grade game and by age 20 I’m on my first Kangaroo tour. It’s mind-boggling how quickly that happened for me.



Nathan Brown was never really a friend to me then. I was 18 and he was 30-odd, so he was just my coach.



Looking back, there might have been some older players in the group who played with Browny and there might have been some mateship there that might have caused issues in the team. I never saw that. And I don’t believe that was a problem or an issue.



I can imagine if I now went back to coach the Dragons, as a an example. That would be difficult because I played alongside a lot of guys. It would have possibly complicated matters for Browny, but as a young player I never thought there was an issue between senior players and coach.



It’s a big regret that, when Browny was there, the finals we made we didn’t go further.



My first carry was off a scrum. Nathan Blacklock, the other winger said, ‘You have it’. We’re 20 metres out from our try line. And I dropped the ball on my first carry.



We had some tough losses through those years and, being a young player, I probably didn’t appreciate the quality of team we had and understand how devastating those losses were. Because of my youth, I didn’t quite understand how limited your time in the game is and how few of those opportunities come along.



I would say those teams between 2003 and 2008 had some of the best players of that time in the game, all in one team.



Wayne Bennett came in and I think some factors changed in 2009-10-11, which is why we won the comp and were so successful in that period.



There was still a core group of players at that time that had experienced the disappointment in those earlier 2000 years with those finals losses.



There was a huge motivation and drive there to get the chokers tag away. It was always the chokers tag. We were known as the chokers because of those losses and that hung over our heads for a long time.

If you remember 2009, we headed into the finals and we were the most dominant team in the comp. It didn’t matter we were the most dominant team, the chokers tag was still there.



It affected us in that finals series in 2009. We lost to Parra at Kogarah and then played against Darren Lockyer’s Brisbane side in Brisbane and lost by 14 points.



It was embarrassing. Looking back, that was a big driver for 2010 ‒ unfinished business. After all the work we put in, going back to 2008 with Wayne coming in and how big a difference that was, the intensity with which we trained at the wake-up call, compared to what we were used to, was huge.



Then, how well we played in 2009, just to throw it away like that it was, ‘You know what, f**k that, we can’t do that again’. I believe that was a huge reason behind 2010, the experience and disappointment from 2009.



We were dominant again, winning the minor premiership, and we had learnt from our mistakes. Heading into week one humble but with confidence, winning in week one, having the week off.



https://www.athletesvoice.com.au/ben-creagh-always-chokers-tag/

 

[getsmarty]

Phil Gould’s Dragons review is complete. Eight staff changes — Paul McGregor’s not one of them
The Dragons’ season of hell is over — and so is the club’s controversial review of its football department and coach Paul McGregor.

FOX SPORTSNovember 8, 201912:58pm

Paul McGregor will remain as head coach.Source:News Corp Australia

The Dragons’ season of hell is over — and so is the club’s controversial review of the football department.

An exhaustive review, led by rugby league supremo Phil Gould, has resulted in eight staff changes.

Coach Paul McGregor, as expected, has retained his job after a shocking 15th place finish. He’ll be joined on the sidelines in 2020 by new assistant coach Shane Flanagan.


The eight changes are all in the club’s support staff system, including a new head physiotherapist, strength and conditioning coach and a “mind and performance” coach who will run meditation lessons.

“Everyone at the Dragons were terribly dissatisfied with the club’s 2019 season campaign which resulted in this wide-ranging internal and external review of the club’s football department,” said CEO Brian Johnston in a club statement.

“The Dragons have made key structural changes to its coaching, performance and medical staff following the determination of a lack of experience within the wider group. This includes several new staff appointments to the football department.t


“It was noted throughout the review that there needed to be a greater focus on club culture and leadership. In acknowledging this, the club have taken steps in this space in order to bring further accountability and discipline to the playing group.”

Despite the review, the Dragons are in somewhat of a salary cap bind. Their roster has six holes to fill, and not much money to play with.

Releasing Euan Aitken, Matt Dufty or Luciano Leilua would free up some cash but the club still has work to do to round out their 30-man first grade roster.


https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/p...m/news-story/df5eb5481051d22ff0a2ebf8699cd3af