Jai Field Re-signs For 3 Years

[TomRedVRiver]

http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2016/12/13/dragons_re_sign_jai_.html

Big retention for us. A potential 5/8 for years to come.

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons Re-Sign Jai Field
Tue 13th December, 07:30AM
A A



The St George Illawarra Dragons have announced that National Youth Competition five-eighth Jai Field has agreed to terms on a further three seasons, until at least the end of 2019.

The local Shellharbour Sharks junior scored 16 tries from his 26 appearances for the Young Dragons last season and was joint runner-up for the NYC Player of the Year at the 2016 Dally M Awards.

The former Illawarra Steelers SG Ball team graduate is presently one of five members from the NYC squad who have been invited to train with the first-grade squad this pre-season.

“It’s very exciting knowing that I am going to remain here as a Dragons for the next three years and I cannot wait to see what lies ahead for me,” said Field.

“Staying at the Club was a very easy decision for me to have to make in the end as it feels like home having played previously in the Junior Representative ranks and more recently in the NYC.

“I have now been given the chance to continue my learning by training alongside the first-grade squad this pre-season and it is an opportunity that I am really enjoying and will no doubt benefit from.”

Dragons Director of Rugby League Pathways Ian Millward is pleased by Field’s decision to further extend his development and tenure at the Club.

“Jai is an exciting local junior who possesses speed and the ability to both create and score tries and was one of the real standouts in the National Youth Competition last season,” said Millward.

“He has been invited to train with the first-grade squad this pre-season and has so far really impressed with the way he both competes and carries himself around the senior players as well as his work ethic.

“Jai was very much sought after by several teams but we had always identified him as part of our future succession planning and we now look forward to seeing him continue his development as a Dragon.”

http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2016/12/13/dragons_re_sign_jai_.af_news.html

 

[mickeylane]

The kid is a GUN !! Will be our no 6 in 2018
Duffy
Field
Leilua

Most exciting youngsters in the NRL..

 

[Dragonslayer]

The kid is a GUN !! Will be our no 6 in 2018
Duffy
Field
Leilua

Most exciting youngsters in the NRL..

You have to include;
Robson
Herbert
Garrick

As well as a second wave of really promising juniors lining up for the U20's this year
Zac Lomax
Matheson Johns
Steve Marsters
Blake Lawrie
Tristan Sailor.....
and a few others

The future is looking good, we just need to nurture and guide them into our ranks.

 

[dragonssamy61]

You have to include;
Robson
Herbert
Garrick

As well as a second wave of really promising juniors lining up for the U20's this year
Zac Lomax
Matheson Johns
Steve Marsters
Blake Lawrie
Tristan Sailor.....
and a few others

The future is looking good, we just need to nurture and guide them into our ranks.

Spot on Dragonslayer
Great news re field he has electrifying seed and good kicking game

 

[Saints Forever]

We need a David Waite for this task

 

[hazzbeen]

http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2016/12/13/dragons_re_sign_jai_.html

Big retention for us. A potential 5/8 for years to come.

Great news hope sooner than later ......

 

[West coast dragon]

Mary has already stated he won't see first grade in 2017 so no point getting too excited just yet

 

[st.phil]

Mary has already stated he won't see first grade in 2017 so no point getting too excited just yet

you must have a direct line to Mary as he has not made a public statement since rd 26 this year. Millward has already stated he may see 1st grade as early as this year. When rather than If scenario...

 

[monsterkev]

Would now say widdop will not be with saints after 2017 surely this will be the case
Should now look to give field a run in the trial matches and half a dozen 1st grade games so he can get some exposure to the big league

But does this mean saints are not going to be chasing any off contract current nrl 5/8 or is it all smoke and mirrors

 

[Redvpassion]

Mary has already stated he won't see first grade in 2017 so no point getting too excited just yet

Might be a blessing for this Young man, #FailMary has a habit of ruining players or taking their game to a lower level.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

Would now say widdop will not be with saints after 2017 surely this will be the case
Should now look to give field a run in the trial matches and half a dozen 1st grade games so he can get some exposure to the big league

But does this mean saints are not going to be chasing any off contract current nrl 5/8 or is it all smoke and mirrors

Correct. If the club was smart it would let Widdop go, as well as a number of other players (Marketo, Matthews, Glymin, Lafai etc) and use that money to sign Ben Hunt.
That way we could look at a Field/Hunt halves combo for the future, coupled with players like Dufty, Garrick, Herbert, Aitken, Milne and Thompson coming through in the backline, Robson/Mcinnes at hooker and our current forwards, our team could be looking like top 4 potential.

 

[Dragonslayer]

There is a lot of assumption that Widdop will leave or won't be offered a new contract for 2018 and beyond, especially now with the long term signing of Field.
Firstly, he is our current captain and nothing has been said to the removal of same by either the club or player.
Secondly, he can also play as a 7, aa he did at the Storm and in the recent 4 Nations.
Thirdly, IF a new coach is appointed, wether that be during the 2017 season or at the end, Widdops game may improve. There is ibvious tension between player and coach so rhere maybe a reason for that.

Now, I'm not saying I would re-sign him, in fact he is on my hit list, however, if any of the above apply then I would also make an assumption that he will be here at the Dragons for at least another couple of years.
Not saying it's right but we are the aDragons remember.

 

[saints4me]

Another great young player from this years NYC team. They had skill right across the park with good working combinations. Some of their tries really were spectacular. They were really good to watch.

 

[Old Timer]

The signing of this young guy for 3 years is a great result for all parties involved well done.
Let's not cloud this positive news with talk about other players and scenarios.
This thread IMO should be kept to only being all about this great kid and the great job done to keep him.
Plenty of other threads already out there for all the other stuff.

 

[SaintElroy]

I actually think we have an awesome job at retaining the young juniors in this current crop. The ones with some awesome potential if all things go well with their development. Well done to the recruitment team.

 

[giboz71]

Would now say widdop will not be with saints after 2017 surely this will be the case
Should now look to give field a run in the trial matches and half a dozen 1st grade games so he can get some exposure to the big league

But does this mean saints are not going to be chasing any off contract current nrl 5/8 or is it all smoke and mirrors

Looks that way doesn’t it.

We have enough trouble getting one decent half, let alone 2, so maybe we are looking at Field to be our long term option at 6. Pair him with a proper Number 7 like Hunt or Elgey for 2018 than who knows, this could be our halves of the future.

I’d still look at Lolohea on a 2 year deal as insurance if either Field or Dufty doesn’t pan out.

 

[dragonssamy61]

Looks that way doesn’t it.

We have enough trouble getting one decent half, let alone 2, so maybe we are looking at Field to be our long term option at 6. Pair him with a proper Number 7 like Hunt or Elgey for 2018 than who knows, this could be our halves of the future.

I’d still look at Lolohea on a 2 year deal as insurance if either Field or Dufty doesn’t pan out.

Like you thinking you would hope it is correct

 

[Walpole]

Very good news. It might be a couple of years down the track but a future spine with Dufty at 1 and Field at 6 is starting to take shape.

 

[The Doc]

If Hutch, Mann, and Nona dont deliver the goods in the #7 then i wouldnt be surprised to see Field at #6 and Widdop at #7 by years end.
If Field delivers on his potential in the Cutters then a Field/Widdop combo could be a very likely outcome in 2017.