Lafai to remain a Dragon
Mitch Jennings@@Mitch_Jenno
2 Jun 2017, 10:25 a.m.
STAYING PUT: Tim Lafai. Picture: Adam McLean
ST GEORGE Illawarra have squeezed in one of the the final pieces of their roster puzzle, locking down centre Tim Lafai on a three-year deal.
It brings to an end a busy period for recruitment chief Ian Millward and the club, that came into 2017 with several big-name stars off-contract.
Skipper Gareth Widdop has since been re-signed on a lucrative four-year deal while Josh Dugan and Russell Packer have confirmed their departures at season’s end.
Dugan brought his long-running contract saga to and end prior to entering NSW Origin camp, confirming he will link with the Sharks next season, while Packer will join Wests Tigers in 2018.
The club had been waiting on Dugan and Packer to decide their futures before making an offer to Lafai, but moved quickly after both confirmed their respective departures.
The Dragons headed off interest from several other clubs to re-sign the 25-year-old who’s found career-best form over the opening 11 rounds of the season.
"I'm excited to spend the next three years at the Dragons," Lafai said.
“The club’s been awesome for me and I wanted to return the favour.
“The club’s worked on a lot of things and changed a lot of things. It’s all been positive and it’s encouraging to see players are re-signing.
"When you're off-contract it's always one of those things that sit in the back of your mind so I’m glad that it’s all done and I can focus on playing some good footy for the club.”
It caps a stunning turnaround in fortunes for Lafai, whose first season with the club was marred by injury and off-field drama.
It saw him return for preseason determined to recapture his best after a directive from coach Paul McGregor to get “running fit.”
“It was just about getting back to playing good footy,” Lafai said.
“It happens in footy, you get injuries as you go along in your career and bouncing back and getting through those injuries was a real focus for me.
“I told myself if I could really rip in and give the preseason my all, I was a good chance of having a good season. Whatever came after that was just a bonus so I’m quite blessed to get the next three years as a reward for that hard work.
“Touch-wood, I’ve been injury free this year so hopefully I can keep it up.”
Lafai’s return to to form has been due, in no small part, to skipper Gareth Widdop’s blistering start to 2017 before injuring his knee in the Dragons Anzac Day loss to the Roosters.
Widdop is expected to return for Saturday’s clash with the Tigers at ANZ Stadium and Lafai welcomed the return of his left edge buddy.
“It’s good having Gaz back, not only as a player but as a leader and as our captain. It’s always nice to have your captain back,” Lafai said.
“He’s been awesome in working together with myself and Gypsy [Jason Nightingale] and Thommo [Joel Thompson] there on the left.
“We’ve really formed something good. We did the hard work in preseason and it’s good to see it paying off on the field.”
Lafai’s deal means only Nightingale, Josh McCrone and Kurt Mann remain off contract in the club’s senior squad. Coach McGregor is also un-signed beyond this year but is expected to sign an extension in the coming weeks.
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4703860/lafai-on-deck-for-three-more-years/?cs=3713
Mitch Jennings@@Mitch_Jenno
2 Jun 2017, 10:25 a.m.
STAYING PUT: Tim Lafai. Picture: Adam McLean
ST GEORGE Illawarra have squeezed in one of the the final pieces of their roster puzzle, locking down centre Tim Lafai on a three-year deal.
It brings to an end a busy period for recruitment chief Ian Millward and the club, that came into 2017 with several big-name stars off-contract.
Skipper Gareth Widdop has since been re-signed on a lucrative four-year deal while Josh Dugan and Russell Packer have confirmed their departures at season’s end.
Dugan brought his long-running contract saga to and end prior to entering NSW Origin camp, confirming he will link with the Sharks next season, while Packer will join Wests Tigers in 2018.
The club had been waiting on Dugan and Packer to decide their futures before making an offer to Lafai, but moved quickly after both confirmed their respective departures.
The Dragons headed off interest from several other clubs to re-sign the 25-year-old who’s found career-best form over the opening 11 rounds of the season.
"I'm excited to spend the next three years at the Dragons," Lafai said.
“The club’s been awesome for me and I wanted to return the favour.
“The club’s worked on a lot of things and changed a lot of things. It’s all been positive and it’s encouraging to see players are re-signing.
"When you're off-contract it's always one of those things that sit in the back of your mind so I’m glad that it’s all done and I can focus on playing some good footy for the club.”
It caps a stunning turnaround in fortunes for Lafai, whose first season with the club was marred by injury and off-field drama.
It saw him return for preseason determined to recapture his best after a directive from coach Paul McGregor to get “running fit.”
“It was just about getting back to playing good footy,” Lafai said.
“It happens in footy, you get injuries as you go along in your career and bouncing back and getting through those injuries was a real focus for me.
“I told myself if I could really rip in and give the preseason my all, I was a good chance of having a good season. Whatever came after that was just a bonus so I’m quite blessed to get the next three years as a reward for that hard work.
“Touch-wood, I’ve been injury free this year so hopefully I can keep it up.”
Lafai’s return to to form has been due, in no small part, to skipper Gareth Widdop’s blistering start to 2017 before injuring his knee in the Dragons Anzac Day loss to the Roosters.
Widdop is expected to return for Saturday’s clash with the Tigers at ANZ Stadium and Lafai welcomed the return of his left edge buddy.
“It’s good having Gaz back, not only as a player but as a leader and as our captain. It’s always nice to have your captain back,” Lafai said.
“He’s been awesome in working together with myself and Gypsy [Jason Nightingale] and Thommo [Joel Thompson] there on the left.
“We’ve really formed something good. We did the hard work in preseason and it’s good to see it paying off on the field.”
Lafai’s deal means only Nightingale, Josh McCrone and Kurt Mann remain off contract in the club’s senior squad. Coach McGregor is also un-signed beyond this year but is expected to sign an extension in the coming weeks.
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4703860/lafai-on-deck-for-three-more-years/?cs=3713
