Cuthbertson starts anew after horror year
It's long way up from park rugby league, but new St George Illawarra recruit Adam Cuthbertson believes he can use a horror 2010 NRL season to his advantage.
When Cuthbertson, who signed a 12-month contract with the club this week, introduces himself to his Dragons teammates at their first training session on Monday week, he will have one thing in common with all of them - a premiership ring.
And while the Dragons picked theirs up last year in a memorable drought-breaking grand final victory over the Sydney Roosters, Cuthbertson picked his up for his role as 18th man in Manly's premiership win in 2008.
But the likable forward is desperate to add a second ring to the collection - and he plans on using a dreadful 2010 campaign, when he was dropped by Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart to play in the local A Grade competition with the Como Crocodiles, to help him do it.
"It was a hard night (when Manly won the 2008 premiership), because it was a bit of both ways," Cuthbertson told AAP on Friday.
"I remember I was 18th man for the grand final and I used that as motivation to push to get into the City Origin team (in 2009, before being ruled out through injury), so hopefully I can take a crumby year and use it as motivation to prove some people wrong.
"I got given a ring that night ... but it's definitely a goal of mine to get one that I've truly earned and played for.
"That's even more motivation to play for this club and hopefully have a good go at first grade to help them go all the way again."
Cuthbertson had similar ambitions during his disappointing stint at Cronulla, but the talented 25-year-old sees his move to the Dragons as a career-defining decision.
Being personally courted by supercoach Wayne Bennett, who proved the difference in negotiations when Cuthbertson was close to signing with Penrith, shows that the defending premiers feel he can help fill the gap left by departing backrowers Jeremy Smith (Cronulla) and Neville Costigan (Newcastle).
"I just want to get back to the form I was in when I was playing at Manly, and even better," the Avalon Bulldogs junior added.
"I had a good stint at Manly but then last year couldn't have been any lower a point.
"As much as I love the Como guys, you don't want to be going from first grade to A grade too regularly.
"I suppose after a season like I had last year, it is hard to take a lot out of it.
"Sometimes you get worried about your future in the game ... so for someone like Wayne to come along and recognise something in me is a massive rap for myself and somewhat of an honour."
