Morris majorBY MICHAEL CARAYANNIS
26/05/2009 4:00:00 AM
ST GEORGE Illawarra winger Brett Morris is set to reject a lucrative offer from Canterbury and two other NRL clubs to re-sign with the Dragons.
Discussions between Morris and the club are well underway with an announcement on his future expected before the end of next week.
Canterbury still loom as a possibility for the 22-year-old, who hopes to unite him with twin brother Josh.
"It's still up in the air,'' Brett said.
"Obviously I'm very happy at this club. It is the club I grew up in and followed as a kid.''
Coach Wayne Bennett was a lot more confident in securing Morris's signature. "The club is keen to keep him and I'm confident he wants to stay,'' Bennett said.
"It's just a matter of dotting the i's and crossing the t's.
"All the preliminarily work has been done.''
Morris's form has exploded this season. After missing selection in the first round loss to Melbourne, Morris forced his way into the side the next week and has since played in every first grade match.
He made his debut back in 2006 before an injury plagued 2007 season saw him play just two top flight matches. "I'm pretty happy with how I'm going at the moment,'' Morris said.
"Initially I was always looking over my shoulder, worried that someone was going to come and take my spot. But at the moment I'm feeling pretty safe. I'm not resting on my laurels.''
Having played most of last season at fullback, Morris has shifted to the wing to accommodate in-form Test player Darius Boyd.
Bennett said Morris had found his "position'' on the wing.
"He is a wonderful talent,'' Bennett said.
"He is one of the few players who is a pure winger.
"Every time he touches the ball he is dangerous. I enjoy watching him.''
Morris (10 tries) has soared to the top of the NRL try-scoring list.
After scoring four against North Queensland and three against Cronulla, Morris is in a rare vein of form as he joins Brisbane's Israel Folau at the top.
"If you're a winger and you're not scoring tries you start to get a bit filthy,'' Morris said.
"They seem to be getting me good ball in good spots. I'm pretty lucky at the moment.'' A slight calf strain saw Morris precautionarily replaced with less than 20 minutes remaining in the match, but he will be fit for Friday's clash against Penrith at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
