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Off-contract Raiders halfback Sam Williams says speculation linking him to St George Illawarra is off the mark, and he "never really looked into it too seriously".
The 22-year-old Cooma product remains without a club for next season, despite constant suggestions of a link with the Dragons.
The forgotten Canberra playmaker is stuck playing for Mounties in the NSW Cup, with Raiders coach David Furner opting for Terry Campese and Josh McCrone as his halves.
Williams made his representative debut this year and has earned a place in a NSW Cup representative side to play a Queensland Residents side in the Origin III curtain-raiser on Wednesday night.
But he is becoming frustrated at the fact that he remains clubless for this year and beyond.
"We've had talks with a couple of people and I guess it's getting a bit closer," Williams said.
"It's dragged out a bit longer than what I would have liked, but in saying that, I'm still confident we'll get something sorted for next year."
Williams had been linked to the Dragons more than any other club, though reports suggest they withdrew their offer after the Raiders refused to release him before the June 30 deadline.
"There was a bit of speculation about it, but we never really looked into it too seriously," Williams said.
"I think it was just the position [the Dragons] were in and the way they were travelling, and I guess I wasn't playing first-grade and people may have seen a fit there.
"My aim always this year was to work my way back into the [NRL] side, and be a part of a premiership-winning Raiders side.
"If the opportunity arises and something comes up where you can play regular first grade, you'd be mad not to take it.
"But in saying that, it would have to be a pretty good deal to get me away from Canberra."
Williams said he would give the Raiders the final chance to keep him at the club, but they probably are unlikely to be able to afford him in their salary cap.
Williams has played 40 games since making his first-grade debut with the Raiders in 2011. He has also captained the club's under-20s team.
He has made his debut for Country Origin this year.
And he will have his parents in the stands when he dons the sky blue jersey for the first time, on Wednesday.
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1630084/sam-williams-dismisses-dragons-rumours/?cs=2382
* update - Williams has now signed for 2014:
http://www.dragons.com.au/news-display/Dragons-Sign-Sam-Williams/79195
The 22-year-old Cooma product remains without a club for next season, despite constant suggestions of a link with the Dragons.
The forgotten Canberra playmaker is stuck playing for Mounties in the NSW Cup, with Raiders coach David Furner opting for Terry Campese and Josh McCrone as his halves.
Williams made his representative debut this year and has earned a place in a NSW Cup representative side to play a Queensland Residents side in the Origin III curtain-raiser on Wednesday night.
But he is becoming frustrated at the fact that he remains clubless for this year and beyond.
"We've had talks with a couple of people and I guess it's getting a bit closer," Williams said.
"It's dragged out a bit longer than what I would have liked, but in saying that, I'm still confident we'll get something sorted for next year."
Williams had been linked to the Dragons more than any other club, though reports suggest they withdrew their offer after the Raiders refused to release him before the June 30 deadline.
"There was a bit of speculation about it, but we never really looked into it too seriously," Williams said.
"I think it was just the position [the Dragons] were in and the way they were travelling, and I guess I wasn't playing first-grade and people may have seen a fit there.
"My aim always this year was to work my way back into the [NRL] side, and be a part of a premiership-winning Raiders side.
"If the opportunity arises and something comes up where you can play regular first grade, you'd be mad not to take it.
"But in saying that, it would have to be a pretty good deal to get me away from Canberra."
Williams said he would give the Raiders the final chance to keep him at the club, but they probably are unlikely to be able to afford him in their salary cap.
Williams has played 40 games since making his first-grade debut with the Raiders in 2011. He has also captained the club's under-20s team.
He has made his debut for Country Origin this year.
And he will have his parents in the stands when he dons the sky blue jersey for the first time, on Wednesday.
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1630084/sam-williams-dismisses-dragons-rumours/?cs=2382
* update - Williams has now signed for 2014:
http://www.dragons.com.au/news-display/Dragons-Sign-Sam-Williams/79195
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