I am OVER THE MOON that we have signed Willie Leyshon...Extremely underrated when fit and extremely strong. A good solid Foward.
Leyshon on year's deal
By PAUL SUTTOR
January 13, 2004
THE Dragons have added an extra dose of experience to their
youthful squad as they continue their build-up to the 2004 National Rugby League season.
Much travelled forward Willie Leyshon has been signed on a one-year, incentive-based contract.
The 27-year-old second rower played for Parramatta last year after previous stints with Melbourne, the Northern Eagles and North Sydney.
Leyshon has been dogged by knee injuries throughout his 91-game career and the Dragons ensured his fitness was up to scratch before putting pen to paper on the deal.
St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust said Leyshon would be a handy back-up option for the red and white forward pack this season.
"Willie had a pretty short season last year. He was at Melbourne then had some personal reasons to leave Melbourne and come back to Sydney, but he didn't play much football (at Parramatta)," he said.
"He's another one of those second-tier type players for us. His manager came to us armed with a proposition that was viewed as salary cap-effective.
"Willie had a check-up last Monday and everything was fine. Almost a year off will put him in pretty good stead this season."
Leyshon's arrival follows the recruitment of Eagles forwards Nathan Long and Tony Jensen, and ex-Wests Tigers hooker-half Lincoln Withers.
In other Dragons news, utility back Wes Naiqama's hopes of earning his first grade stripes this season have been put on hold after the 21-year-old broke his leg when he fell down a stairwell recently.
Naiqama fractured his other leg last year at the World Sevens while representing Fiji.
Back rower Brent Kite is getting married on February 7 in Canberra, while former Dragons winger Hassan Saleh will represent Lebanon at the World Sevens on January 24-25.
This story was found at:
http://illawarramercury.com.au/articles/2004/01/13/1073877794892.html
