Dragons' NSW Cup plan near collapse
The Dragons' fringe first-graders could be forced back to the Carlton League next season if St George Illawarra's last-ditch attempt to reunite with Shellharbour collapses.
The NSWRL yesterday released a 12-team draw for next year's NSW Cup and included the Southern Marlins, the team name requested by Shellharbour, in the fixture.
However the Mercury understands the Marlins, who have been drawn against North Sydney in round one on March 13 next year, could be substituted for a bye because contractual negotiations between Shellharbour and St George Illawarra remain at loggerheads.
The deal is unlikely to go ahead unless the Dragons offer a lucrative financial package to support Shellharbour in the NSW Cup.
A failure to agree to terms before the end of January could see the Dragons align themselves with the Carlton League, which they last did in 2008, sending the surplus of NRL players to different clubs throughout the Illawarra competition.
The Canberra Raiders, who had considered linking with the Dragons under the Shellharbour banner, were unable to form an alliance with a feeder club.
As a result, they will not compete in the NSW Cup next year.
It is believed the Raiders wanted to send four players to Shellharbour and the rest of the squad to Souths Logan in the Queensland Cup, but the NSWRL demanded all players be sent to Shellharbour.
The NSWRL's request resulted in Canberra pulling out of negotiations with the Dragons and declining to enter a team in the NSW Cup.
The decision has left Canberra's juniors ineligible to play in the NSWRL's junior representative competitions (Harold Matthews and SG Ball).
However St George and Illawarra juniors are unlikely to be booted from the respective competitions because the Dragons are actively seeking a NSW Cup partner.
NSW Cup manager Bob Saunders couldn't guarantee St George and Illawarra a place in next year's junior calendar, despite including both teams in the recently released draws.
Saunders said the NSWRL board members would have to decide whether to allow the respective junior teams to continue if St George Illawarra were unable to find a NSW Cup feeder club.
When Shellharbour notified the Dragons of their decision to pull out of their final year in the NSW Cup, St George Illawarra entered lengthy discussions with the Paul McGregor-coached Wests Illawarra and appeared to have settled terms.
However the Carlton League premiers pulled the pin on negotiations at the 11th hour and left the Dragons clubless, forcing the NRL glamour club to seek an alternative avenue.
The Dragons then held talks with fellow Carlton League clubs Dapto and Collegians, as well as Canberra, but when all discussions fell through, were forced to turn back to Shellharbour.
However with no coach, players or sponsors in line, it is unlikely the newly crowned "Southern Marlins" will remain a part of the NSW Cup competition unless Dragons CEO Peter Doust comes to the party with a substantial offer.
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...p-plan-near-collapse/2031688.aspx?storypage=0
