Brett Morris: 'Why I'm sticking with the Dragons'
The Wayne Bennett factor and the chance to play with a team he believes is capable of winning multiple premierships were the deciding factors in Brett Morris' decision to re-sign with the Dragons for the next three seasons.
The 22-year-old speedster resisted the lure of joining twin brother Josh at the Bulldogs for the opportunity to play in the same jersey as his father - Dally M winner Steve "Slippery" Morris - until the end of 2012.
With big-money offers from the Bulldogs and Sharks on the table, Morris chose to stay loyal, saying the club had the chance to start another Dragons dynasty.
"There were offers from other clubs and some of them were quite large, but I'm not about the money - I want to win a premiership," Morris said.
"It took a fair while to decide - it wasn't just something that came overnight - but I'm really happy with my decision and I'm looking forward to staying here."
The Dragons have re-signed Ben Creagh, Dean Young and Beau Scott in the past two weeks - all of which helped Morris make up his mind to stay where he is.
"We're putting together a really good squad that's going to be together for the next couple of years - I see that squad doing something special and I want to be part of it," he said.
Morris leads the NRL with 10 tries with a team that is premiership favourite and top of the table after round 12 - but he says the best is yet to come.
"The group we've put together here, we really think that over the next three years we can do something special.
"I don't think I've had that feeling since I've been at the club.
"The future's bright for us over the next couple of years and everyone's looking forward to it."
Morris said his coach's incomparable record - Bennett won six titles in 21 seasons at the Broncos - had a huge influence on his decision to stay, one made difficult by the attractive offer put forward by the Bulldogs.
With Josh joining the Bulldogs this season, Brett admits he was keen to renew their partnership and thought long and hard about signing with the Sydney club.
"It was very tempting, I'm not going to lie. Josh is my brother and my best mate. At the start of the year, playing without him, I felt like there was a bit of a hole.
"But as time has gone on, I've gotten used to it. That was a positive in going there, but there are so many more positives in staying here," he said.
The signing of Morris leaves front-rower Justin Poore and Wendell Sailor as the last of the high-profile free agents yet to agree to terms for next season.
Poore is rumoured to be close to inking a new deal with St George Illawarra after it seemed certain he would go to the Sharks or Eels.
His management says a decision on his future won't be made until after Origin I.
Morris said he hoped Poore, who will make his Origin debut tomorrow night, will stay with the Dragons.
"Poorey's been great for us over the last couple of years and he would be a big loss if he left.
"Hopefully Justin does the right thing and stays, but it's his call. Whatever he does, I'm sure the guys will back him 100 per cent."
