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Hornby to sign three-year deal
St George Illawarra captain Ben Hornby is adamant his best is yet to come.
Determined to lead the premiership project overseen by coach Wayne Bennett, Hornby is set to sign a new three-year contract that will see the Corrimal junior spend his entire career at the club.
In his second season as captain, Hornby said he is enjoying the NRL as much as ever and hadn't considered an early exit to join cashed-up clubs in the English Super League.
Starting his career at fullback, Hornby was chosen for NSW on three occasions for his versatility, before moving to halfback in Nathan Brown's final season in charge in 2008.
Always seen as a safe option in the halves, the 30-year-old said he was determined to have a major impact on the team's charge towards another finals campaign.
"I'm still trying to get better," he said. "That's my main focus, but at the moment I'm just glad the club is going well.
"I love the club. I've been here my whole career, so I'd love to stay here as long as possible."
The Mercury understands Hornby will sign a new deal in the next fortnight, joining five-eighth Jamie Soward and props Michael Weyman and Matt Prior to have agreed to be part of the joint venture club's push for a first title.
However, the future of young guns Trent Merrin and Beau Henry remains uncertain.
Hornby provided an outstanding floating pass to link with Soward for a crucial second-half try in Friday's 19-6 win over the Gold Coast at Skilled Park.
But he later revealed he took a couple of early knocks.
"I got a couple of corks early in the first half," he revealed.
"It probably wasn't my night after that, but we did enough to get the win."
Bennett has shown complete faith in Hornby since moving from Brisbane to Wollongong, even when they were criticised after the minor premiers failed to find another gear in last year's finals series.
After being a standout for the Dragons last year, Soward is starting to find his feet this season, according to Bennett.
"He's been building into the season, he's been very solid for us," Bennett said.
"His defence is much improved and just each week getting better with the ball and making better decisions. It was probably his best game (of the season on Friday)."
Bennett said it was easy to take Soward's booming kicking game for granted.
"He kicks the ball so often, so well, that we just don't recognise what a great kicker of the ball he is. I thought his kicking game was outstanding (on Friday), with great variety and pinpoint accuracy."
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...-sign-threeyear-deal/1806014.aspx?storypage=0
I know their was a thread similar to this a few weeks ago but I guess this is just an updated version.
Do guys think with all this talent signing on for a few more years is a indication Bennett may also extend his contract?
St George Illawarra captain Ben Hornby is adamant his best is yet to come.
Determined to lead the premiership project overseen by coach Wayne Bennett, Hornby is set to sign a new three-year contract that will see the Corrimal junior spend his entire career at the club.
In his second season as captain, Hornby said he is enjoying the NRL as much as ever and hadn't considered an early exit to join cashed-up clubs in the English Super League.
Starting his career at fullback, Hornby was chosen for NSW on three occasions for his versatility, before moving to halfback in Nathan Brown's final season in charge in 2008.
Always seen as a safe option in the halves, the 30-year-old said he was determined to have a major impact on the team's charge towards another finals campaign.
"I'm still trying to get better," he said. "That's my main focus, but at the moment I'm just glad the club is going well.
"I love the club. I've been here my whole career, so I'd love to stay here as long as possible."
The Mercury understands Hornby will sign a new deal in the next fortnight, joining five-eighth Jamie Soward and props Michael Weyman and Matt Prior to have agreed to be part of the joint venture club's push for a first title.
However, the future of young guns Trent Merrin and Beau Henry remains uncertain.
Hornby provided an outstanding floating pass to link with Soward for a crucial second-half try in Friday's 19-6 win over the Gold Coast at Skilled Park.
But he later revealed he took a couple of early knocks.
"I got a couple of corks early in the first half," he revealed.
"It probably wasn't my night after that, but we did enough to get the win."
Bennett has shown complete faith in Hornby since moving from Brisbane to Wollongong, even when they were criticised after the minor premiers failed to find another gear in last year's finals series.
After being a standout for the Dragons last year, Soward is starting to find his feet this season, according to Bennett.
"He's been building into the season, he's been very solid for us," Bennett said.
"His defence is much improved and just each week getting better with the ball and making better decisions. It was probably his best game (of the season on Friday)."
Bennett said it was easy to take Soward's booming kicking game for granted.
"He kicks the ball so often, so well, that we just don't recognise what a great kicker of the ball he is. I thought his kicking game was outstanding (on Friday), with great variety and pinpoint accuracy."
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...-sign-threeyear-deal/1806014.aspx?storypage=0
I know their was a thread similar to this a few weeks ago but I guess this is just an updated version.
Do guys think with all this talent signing on for a few more years is a indication Bennett may also extend his contract?
