But he expects a premiership this year...
http://www.theleader.com.au/news/lo...rl-grand-final-says-veteran-rake/1845020.aspx
Dragons can win the NRL grand final says veteran rake
BY MICHAEL CARAYANNIS
01 Jun, 2010 04:00 AM
VETERAN Dragons' rake Luke Priddis reckons he can grab a third NRL premiership with this year's St George Illawarra side in what could be his last season with the red and whites.
Two premierships, Tests, Origins and more than 300 first grade games later, Priddis is in a good position to judge the Dragons' premiership aspirations.
After fearing his career was over at the end of last year, Priddis has bounced back to defy the test of time and produce the form which saw him win the Clive Churchill Medal for man of the match in the 2003 Penrith Panthers grand final victory.
"We are up there,'' Priddis, 33, said.
"It's only early in the season but we can build on that.
"What happened last year was that we got to a peak and couldn't go any further. But this year Darius Boyd has improved 100 per cent and a few of the other boys have improved.''
If it wasn't for a lengthy injury to Kiwi Test player Nathan Fien, Priddis would have been plying his trade for Dragons' feeder club Shellharbour.
Now having played 11 matches- already one more than last year - Priddis is happy that he didn't retire at the end of last season as per the request of coach Wayne Bennett.
"[Wayne] is probably thinking that,'' Priddis said of his decision not to retire. "I'm really enjoying starting.
"I think Wayne said that it was a mistake last year not starting me. I'm not a guy that's going to come off the bench and electrify the game and I'm really enjoying the opportunity at the moment.''
Part of the plan to keep Priddis on the park is an altered training schedule.
The veteran rake doesn't take part in every session.
In the lead-up to the comprehensive 30-0 win against Parramatta at Jubilee Oval on Friday night, Priddis only took part in one session - ball work on Thursday.
Dragons' high performance manager Jeremy Hickmans said it was important to monitor individuals and devise a training schedule to suit their needs.
"The main thing with Luke is not about fitness, it is about keeping him fresh and healthy,'' Hickmans said.
"At times he might only do half the sessions or we might do different drills where we increase his sharpness.
"Wayne is pretty good in that he understands that sometimes he might not have his key players out there training, but it is good in the long-term.''
With his body feeling fresh and having returned to his crafty best Priddis is not discounting playing on next season.
But first he wants to retain his place in the top grade when Fien makes his return from an ankle injury about eight weeks time.
"Hopefully we can both play a role in the team,'' Priddis said. "Nothing is in the pipeline for next year yet. I don't think the Dragons are an option with Fiensy and (young injured hooker) Cameron King there. They pretty much cover the hooker position.''
http://www.theleader.com.au/news/lo...rl-grand-final-says-veteran-rake/1845020.aspx
Dragons can win the NRL grand final says veteran rake
BY MICHAEL CARAYANNIS
01 Jun, 2010 04:00 AM
VETERAN Dragons' rake Luke Priddis reckons he can grab a third NRL premiership with this year's St George Illawarra side in what could be his last season with the red and whites.
Two premierships, Tests, Origins and more than 300 first grade games later, Priddis is in a good position to judge the Dragons' premiership aspirations.
After fearing his career was over at the end of last year, Priddis has bounced back to defy the test of time and produce the form which saw him win the Clive Churchill Medal for man of the match in the 2003 Penrith Panthers grand final victory.
"We are up there,'' Priddis, 33, said.
"It's only early in the season but we can build on that.
"What happened last year was that we got to a peak and couldn't go any further. But this year Darius Boyd has improved 100 per cent and a few of the other boys have improved.''
If it wasn't for a lengthy injury to Kiwi Test player Nathan Fien, Priddis would have been plying his trade for Dragons' feeder club Shellharbour.
Now having played 11 matches- already one more than last year - Priddis is happy that he didn't retire at the end of last season as per the request of coach Wayne Bennett.
"[Wayne] is probably thinking that,'' Priddis said of his decision not to retire. "I'm really enjoying starting.
"I think Wayne said that it was a mistake last year not starting me. I'm not a guy that's going to come off the bench and electrify the game and I'm really enjoying the opportunity at the moment.''
Part of the plan to keep Priddis on the park is an altered training schedule.
The veteran rake doesn't take part in every session.
In the lead-up to the comprehensive 30-0 win against Parramatta at Jubilee Oval on Friday night, Priddis only took part in one session - ball work on Thursday.
Dragons' high performance manager Jeremy Hickmans said it was important to monitor individuals and devise a training schedule to suit their needs.
"The main thing with Luke is not about fitness, it is about keeping him fresh and healthy,'' Hickmans said.
"At times he might only do half the sessions or we might do different drills where we increase his sharpness.
"Wayne is pretty good in that he understands that sometimes he might not have his key players out there training, but it is good in the long-term.''
With his body feeling fresh and having returned to his crafty best Priddis is not discounting playing on next season.
But first he wants to retain his place in the top grade when Fien makes his return from an ankle injury about eight weeks time.
"Hopefully we can both play a role in the team,'' Priddis said. "Nothing is in the pipeline for next year yet. I don't think the Dragons are an option with Fiensy and (young injured hooker) Cameron King there. They pretty much cover the hooker position.''
