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Dragons breathing fire
By Stuart Honeysett
July 30, 2003
ST GEORGE Illawarra winger Nathan Blacklock is poised to sign a two-year deal with the club after knocking back an offer to join Parramatta in 2004.
The good news comes on top of an announcement from the Dragons that NSW five-eighth Shaun Timmins and former Australian centre Mark Gasnier have signed with the club for another three seasons.
Blacklock has been in scintillating form since returning from a one-year rugby union stint with NSW, scoring nine tries in the seven NRL games he has played for his former club.
The former Kangaroo winger and his manager met Parramatta coach Brian Smith a fortnight ago. Smith expressed an interest if Blacklock couldn't come to terms with the Dragons.
"We had a great discussion and we've got a very good relationship with Parramatta but Nathan is happy where he is and he's planning to stay there," Blacklock's manager said. "We're just finalising negotiations for the next two years."
It was thought salary-cap constraints could stop the Dragons from retaining Blacklock but this was solved after Lance Thompson agreed to a pay cut in a restructured long-term contract and the club off-loaded Ian Donnelly, Craig Stapleton and Dean Byrne.
Dragons chief executive Peter Doust last night refused to put a timeframe on when Blacklock would sign.
"I've said a number of times that we're working on it but we're not any closer in particular," Doust said. "He may not be far behind but I can't comment ... it's at a crucial phase you might say."
By Stuart Honeysett
July 30, 2003
ST GEORGE Illawarra winger Nathan Blacklock is poised to sign a two-year deal with the club after knocking back an offer to join Parramatta in 2004.
The good news comes on top of an announcement from the Dragons that NSW five-eighth Shaun Timmins and former Australian centre Mark Gasnier have signed with the club for another three seasons.
Blacklock has been in scintillating form since returning from a one-year rugby union stint with NSW, scoring nine tries in the seven NRL games he has played for his former club.
The former Kangaroo winger and his manager met Parramatta coach Brian Smith a fortnight ago. Smith expressed an interest if Blacklock couldn't come to terms with the Dragons.
"We had a great discussion and we've got a very good relationship with Parramatta but Nathan is happy where he is and he's planning to stay there," Blacklock's manager said. "We're just finalising negotiations for the next two years."
It was thought salary-cap constraints could stop the Dragons from retaining Blacklock but this was solved after Lance Thompson agreed to a pay cut in a restructured long-term contract and the club off-loaded Ian Donnelly, Craig Stapleton and Dean Byrne.
Dragons chief executive Peter Doust last night refused to put a timeframe on when Blacklock would sign.
"I've said a number of times that we're working on it but we're not any closer in particular," Doust said. "He may not be far behind but I can't comment ... it's at a crucial phase you might say."
