The tricky dilemma facing the Dragons over the future of Jason Nightingale
It’s not just about
Ben Hunt. Nor is it just about
James Graham.
The Dragons’ sudden conversion into a genuine premiership contender is also the tale of two wingers,
Nene Macdonald and veteran
Jason Nightingale, who on Friday night, against South Sydney at Jubilee Oval, plays his 250th match for his beloved club.
Milestone man: Jason Nightingale plays his 250th NRL game on Friday night. Photo: Quinn Rooney
During the pre-season, coach
Paul McGregor approached Macdonald and asked him which side of the field he wanted to play: stay on the right side, where he was playing last year, or move over to his preferred side on the left.
Nightingale — who has always put team first, player second — did not utter a word of disapproval even though he would’ve known all the glory was out there on the left edge of the attack.
Wonder try: Dragons winger Nene Macdonald scores against the Sharks. Photo: NRL Photos
In the first month of the season, Macdonald has realised the potential that's always been there: a 110-kilogram Papua New Guinean Mack Truck with the touch and aerobatic finish of a winger half his size.
He’s scored four tries thus far and two of them — one against the Sharks and then last Sunday against the Knights where he had three blades of grass to work with — were pieces of art.
A former Australian schoolboy, Macdonald has long been capable of this type of play. His problem has been his lack of discipline off the field, so much so that other clubs have shied away from him in the past.
So much so that he's not secured long-term at the Dragons. They want him to remain hungry. And he is.
More controversy: Israel Folau. Photo: Dion Georgopoulos
Others believe
the tragic death of his Kumuls teammate, Kato Ottio, who passed away after collapsing from severe heatstroke at training, has had a profound influence.
Macdonald, 23, was the only NRL player to attend the funeral in Port Moresby and since returning has focused on making the most of his career.
Nightingale, 31, has always been that sort of player since securing a regular starting position following
Wendell Sailor's decision to retire in 2009.
They were “big shorts to fill” — Del’s words, not this column’s — but Nightingale made the most of it with his slightly smaller frame.
Here’s the stat they’ve been talking about at Dragons training this week: only four players have notched up 250 matches, played more than 30 internationals, scored more than a hundred tries and won a premiership.
Billy Slater,
Darren Lockyer,
Brad Fittler … and the little Renown United junior affectionately known as "Gypsy", a nickname given to him by former coach
Wayne Bennett because "I'm not always where I'm meant to be and when he first came I didn't have a home!"
A tricky situation is brewing, though, because Nightingale’s career is coming to a close and nudging one-club legends towards the exit is never easy.
Dragons head of recruitment
Ian Millward has beautifully crafted the club’s salary cap to have all of its big guns secured long-term, something that adds stability. The only leading players in the top 30 coming off contract this season are
Leeson Ah Mau,
Jeremy Latimore ... and Nightingale.
While a round-eight deadline was agreed to in the off-season about his future, later in the season now seems more likely.
"I feel great now," he says. "But it might be different later in the season. I would never want to stand in a young player's way, or if the club wanted to go after someone else.
"I remember when Wendell retired. He called me when I was touring in England with the New Zealand side, and he said that he was retiring and wished me all the best.
"I would do the same thing."
Then Nightingale adds this: "I could never play for another club. It just wouldn’t feel right."
Would you expect him to think any other way, putting the club first, himself second?
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