SYDNEY, June 18 AAP - St George Illawarra halfback Mathew Head and teenage prop Justin Poore re-signed with the National Rugby League club today until the end of 2006.
Head's signing comes a day after the club released another young halfback - Brett Firman - to join the Sydney Roosters.
The 22-year-old Head has been a fixture in the No.7 jersey this season and said he hoped to play his entire career with the Dragons.
"I never wanted to leave the Dragons so I am very happy negotiations are complete and I can just concentrate on footy," Head said.
"I always wanted to stay.
"Being my junior club, I hope to finish my career here.
"I want to play good football over the next two years so I can extend my contract.
"Since I made grade, Nathan Brown has always been my coach so I'm happy knowing he is going to be around.
"I like his style of coaching and play."
Head started the season as the second-string halfback behind Firman but was called into the NRL side in round two.
Firman subsequently broke his leg in Premier League.
"My goal for the season was to be the No.1 halfback and jump Brett Firman for the position," Head said.
"When the opportunity came I went for it.
"It doesn't get any easier each week but playing alongside Trent Barrett helps enormously."
Poore, 19, has been one of the club's real surprise packets, playing all but one of the 14 games.
"My goal was to make my debut and hopefully play a handful of games," Poore said.
"To become a regular in the 17-man line-up has been exciting.
"Being a local junior and having had Brownie as a coach since grade, I'm rapt to re-sign for another two years."
St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust said he anticipated finalising negotiations with Ben Hornby, Jason Ryles, Brent Kite and Mark Riddell next week.
"We are very pleased to see Mathew Head and the other young players like Justin Poore, Ashton Sims and Dean Young continue their development as first graders with the Dragons," Doust said.
"I expect the others to be clarified next week."
AAP
