http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/boyd-gives-hopes-to-dragons-fans-20110601-1fgbe.html
http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...club-beyond-2011/story-fn2mcuj6-1226067421192
Darius Boyd has provided St George Illawarra fans with hope he could remain in the red and white beyond 2011 with the star fullback revealing he has already agreed to a contract extension with the NRL premiers.
Boyd negotiated an upgraded three-year deal with the Dragons at the start of the year, but his future is by no means certain
with the contract containing a clause allowing him to leave the club should coach Wayne Bennett exit. :lol:
With Bennett having agreed to join Newcastle on a four-year deal from 2012, it was assumed the Dragons had given up any hope of retaining the Queensland and Australian representative.
Boyd followed Bennett from the Broncos to the Dragons, and it was believed he would either follow his longtime mentor to the Knights or return to Queensland with either Brisbane or Gold Coast.
But Boyd claimed extending his stay in Wollongong remained a realistic option.
"I did that (re-signed) at the start of the year, they offered me a contract going forward as well for the next few years," Boyd told AAP.
Asked if the extension with the Dragons represented something of a fallback option if other deals fell through, Boyd said:
"Definitely not ... it's definitely an option still to stay.
"They've been a great club to me for two-and-a-half to three years now. A lot of the boys have been great, I love the area, I've really enjoyed my time. Either way, if I decide to leave it's going to be a hard decision."
Boyd's revelation represents a double bonus for Dragons fans, for even if he doesn't stay at the club his departure would leave plenty of room under the salary cap.
The Dragons were rumoured to be in the hunt for Manly whizkid Will Hopoate as a replacement for Boyd at fullback, but Hopoate stunned everyone by electing to undertake a two-year Mormon mission.
It is believed Boyd would have returned to the Broncos had Bennett agreed to go back to the club he built, but it is understood his desire to relocate to Newcastle is not as strong.
Boyd admitted parting company with Bennett would be difficult, but if the situation did arise, he hoped the two could maintain their bond.
"I'd hope so," Boyd said.
"... if that was the situation I'd try to keep in contact and have a chat to him every now and then.
"He's really someone I can look to for some guidance in football and in terms of life as well.
"I owe him a lot in both aspects."
Asked when he would make a decision on his whereabouts beyond 2011, Boyd said:
"It's something I want to get (finalised) pretty soon and hopefully I can organise all that in the coming weeks."
