More bargain buys for the Dragons - George Rose & Beau Henry have already been minted, but they look likely to be confirmed when pre-season training starts ( plus Heath L'Estrange )
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...e-and-beau-henry/story-fni3g9a3-1227102088763
St George Illawarra Dragons eye George Rose, Heath L’Estrange and Beau Henry
DAVID RICCIO CHIEF SPORTS WRITER THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH OCTOBER 26, 2014 12:00AM
ST GEORGE Illawarra’s back-up plan of George Rose could become their permanent solution with the club’s intention to sign jailed forward Russell Packer at least six months away from being realised.
The Dragons are keen to pick up Rose on a base-salary contract, believing the former Manly and Melbourne prop can plug a hole in their pack until Packer’s future is *determined by the NRL.
The loss of Test winger Brett Morris to Canterbury isn’t the only change for a club whose legion of fans are demanding success after failing to make the finals since 2011. Several new faces could join the Dragons on Monday under coach Paul McGregor, when they become one of the first clubs to return to pre-season training. While Rose’s deal is yet to be signed off, the Dragons are close to announcing the signatures of former Sydney Roosters hooker Heath L’Estrange and Gold Titans utility Beau Henry — the same club to which Dragons outside back Gerard Beale has been linked.
And in a move that will ease salary-cap pressure and could enhance the club’s chances of keeping Test forward Trent Merrin beyond 2015, local junior Jack Stockwell is also expected to be granted a release to join Newcastle. Stockwell was on a deal worth more than $200,000 at the Dragons.
But securing Packer will become the club’s greatest issue over summer, with the former Warriors prop behind bars after being found guilty of a drunken assault on a night out in Sydney almost 12 months ago. Dragons officials have met repeatedly with Packer and while they are confident they have secured his signature, officially they are unable to spruik the deal until the NRL registers his contract.
That process could take a minimum of six months, with Packer’s alcohol issues expected to result in the NRL ordering he undergo a course with Alcoholics Anonymous and several other rehabilitation courses that prove he is worthy of a second chance. Packer has been lured to the Dragons on a deal worth more than $200,000 while he is also a close friend of current forward Leeson Ah Mau.
The Dragons’ decision to sign journeyman L’Estrange is designed to assist the *development of current dummy-halves Mitch Rein and Craig Garvey.
