Widdop to walk out on Dragons to join Super League

St George Illawarra captain Gareth Widdop has opted to walk away from the final two years of his contract at the Dragons so he can return home and play in the UK Super League. The 29-year-old Englishman, who has played 24 Tests for his homeland, will play for the Dragons this year but then link up with the Warrington Wolves from 2020 on a three-year-deal after accepting a serious pay cut to leave the NRL. The Daily Telegraph broke the news late on Tuesday
night and was confirmed by the club on Wednesday morning. Widdop’s deal with the Dragons is believed to worth about $1.8 million, but he told St George Illawarra officials of his desire to return home and compete in the Super League while he is still at the peak of his powers before Christmas — and the two parties have since been in negotiations. In a statement released on Wednesday morning, the club confirmed Widdop has been released under the condition if he were to return to the NRL it would only be to the Dragons.

The Dragons have released a statement about recruit Corey Norman

NRL star Corey Norman and Wallabies veteran Kurtley Beale are pictured in an illicit video that emerged on Monday that shows a man snorting a white powdered substance. The St George Illawarra Dragons confirmed they had investigated a leaked video featuring star new recruit Norman. The video shows an elderly man snorting white powder off a plate before the camera pans to Norman, who says: “That’s the young blood right there baby. Get it baby, get it.” After Norman is pictured, the camera then shows star Wallaby Kurtley Beale sitting on a couch.

The Dragons then released a statement on Monday night, saying they’d been in touch with the league’s integrity unit earlier in the day. “The St George Illawarra Dragons have been made aware of a video circulating on social media of Corey Norman from several years ago,” the statement read “The Dragons informed the NRL Integrity Unit on Monday afternoon. The Integrity Unit have since confirmed they have previously been made aware of the footage and dealt with it accordingly at the time. “The club will make no further comment.” The Wallabies have yet to make a statement on Beale. Norman has been caught up in several off-field controversies in the past. Norman in December left Parramatta after 106 games for the club and signed a three-year deal with the Dragons.

Wishing both Blake Lawrie and Matt Dufty a very happy birthday

The local Dapto Canaries junior is a graduate of the Illawarra Steelers' SG Ball side and has since become a member of the Dragons' first grade squad. 2017 proved a huge season for Lawrie after he made his NRL debut for the Dragons in Round 17 against the Gold Coast Titans. Prior to his first grade debut, Lawrie also represented the New South Wales Under-20s team and the Junior Kangaroos. Lawrie agreed to terms to a two-year deal and will remain with the Dragons until at least the end of the 2019 season.

Proudly sponsored by Illawarra Mercury/St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. The local Penshurst RSL junior is a graduate of the St George Dragons SG Ball team and has previously been named in both the New South Wales' Under-20s (2016) and New South Wales' Under-18s (2014) squads. Dufty agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension that will see him remain at the Dragons until at least the end of the 2019 season.

Ben Hunt and Gareth Widdop will be under a spotlight in 2019

ST Geroge Dragons Squad: Euan Aitken, Mitchell Allgood, Jack de Belin, Matthew Dufty, Jai Field, Jackson Ford, Tyson Frizell, James Graham, Jacob Host, Ben Hunt, Josh Kerr, Tim Lafai, Jeremy Latimore, Blake Lawrie, Luciano Leilua, Hayden Lomax, Zac Lomax, Joe Lovodua, Steven Marsters, Cameron McInnes, Darren Nicholls, Corey Norman, Jonus Pearson, Jordan Pereira,
Mikaele Ravalawa, Reece Robson, Jason Saab, Tristan Sailor, Korbin Sims, Tariq Sims, Lachlan Timm, Paul Vaughan, Gareth Widdop. Coach: Paul McGregor

What needs work?: Throwing Corey Norman into a spine that already includes Gareth Widdop, Ben Hunt, Cameron McInnes and Matt Dufty will take some finessing.

Talking point: All eyes will be on Widdop and whether he remains focused despite revealing he would like to return to England.

St George Dragons: 2019 Round 1 predicted team

St George Illawarra Dragons: 2019 Round 1 predicted Team: Gareth Widdop, Zac Lomax, Euan Aitken, Tim Lafai, Jordan Pereira, Corey Norman, Ben Hunt, Paul Vaughan,
Cameron McInnes, James Graham, Tyson Frizell, Tariq Sims, Jack De Belin, Blake Lawrie, Jacob Host, Luciano Leilua, Korbin Sims

Two English clubs set to bid for Widdop

St George Illawarra Dragons star Gareth Widdop is at the centre of a bidding war between English clubs despite the playmaker being contracted for the 2019 NRL season. Widdop recently announced that he would play out next season for the Red V before departing for the English Super League.

Despite reports that the Warrington Wolves are set to announce a two-year deal for Widdop, the cashed up Huddersfield Giants are set to make a big play for the Englishman. And behind their billionaire owner Ken Davy, the Giants are confident of landing the 29-year old. Warrington are still considered the frontrunner to sign Widdop for 2020 behind their recently acquired coach and ex-Dragons mentor Steve Price.

Widdop centre of Super League tug of war

A tug of war over St George Illawarra playmaker Gareth Widdop is set to begin in the UK Super League despite the England international committing to the 2019 NRL season.The cashed up Huddersfield Giants are believed to still be interested in Widdop signing for 2020 despite speculation building that Super League rivals Warrington Wolves are set to announce a two-year deal for the Dragons X-factor.Newly re-signed Wolves coach and ex-Dragons mentor Steve Price is believed to be the major
bargaining chip for the Wolves in their bid to lure Widdop to the UK club in 2020.But the Giants - supported by millionaire owner Ken Davy - are still backing themselves in a bidding war over Widdop's signature.Huddersfield coach Simon Woolford last week sounded the Giants' intentions by declaring: "We can pay him what he is worth."We will be making a move at the appropriate time."Widdop last month moved quickly to shut down speculation he had asked for a 2019 release but made no guarantees he would see out the other two years of this Dragons contract.The 29-year-old has made no secret of his desire to return to England after eight NRL seasons.

Widdop delivers final nail for Dragons

Superstar Gareth Widdop is set to deliver the Dragons a crushing Christmas blow by signing a two-year deal with English club Warrington. Widdop is on a long-term deal with the Dragons and will play for the club next season before moving to Wolves in 2020 on a rich contract. The only good news for the Dragons is that Widdop, who turns 30 next March, may return to the NRL and the Big Red V after that.

Born in England but largely raised in Australia, Widdop has had a glittering career in the NRL but wants to make his mark on the English game before retiring. He has family in the UK and wants to play in front of them while he is still at the peak of his game. Widdop’s partnership with fellow Aussie Blake Austin will give Warrington one of the best halfback combinations in Super League. His departure will leave a massive hole in the Dragons’ ranks but is one of the major reasons the club splurged out on Eels playmaker Corey Norman last week.

Corey Norman to finally join Dragons after stalled negotiations

The Parramatta and Corey Norman financial dispute is understood to have been settled, with Norman set to be officially released to join the St George Illawarra Dragons immediately. Norman, 27, was contracted to the Eels until the end of the 2019, but had already farewelled his Eels teammates and was expected to sign with the Dragons last week. But a dispute in payments from the Eels nearly derailed the deal, with the five-eighth threatened to stay on at Parramatta until his next pay cycle on January 4 to claim the additional funds before moving on. The amount was believed to be worth $20,000.

It is understood the Dragons will pay Norman $500,000 next season with a top up salary from Parramatta believed to be around $300,000. Norman was expected to make $900,000 in 2019, therefore he is taking a $100,000 pay cut to join a club that want him. The Dragons will then pay Norman $800,000 over the final two years of his 3-year deal. The Saints will then fork out $1.6 million over the final two years of Norman’s deal. Norman played 107 matches for the Eels after arriving in 2014, leading them to the finals in 2017 before a hugely disappointing 2018 campaign.

Dragons set to complete jigsaw with Corey Norman signing

The final piece in St George Illawarra's 2019 team jigsaw will soon be in place with a Dragons deal believed to be imminent for Parramatta playmaker Corey Norman. St George Illawarra announced on Thursday they had re-signed NSW back-rower Tariq Sims for three more seasons and thrown an NRL lifeline to ex-Brisbane flyer Lachlan Maranta. But another coup
is set to be announced as early as Friday with Norman poised to link with the Dragons on a three-year deal. Norman, 28, is believed to have secured a release from the final year of his Eels contract on Thursday. Norman's manager Paul Sutton is overseas but is expected to finalise a Dragons deal by week's end. Eels five-eighth Norman is expected to move to fullback for St George Illawarra, throwing the future of Dragons No.1 Matt Dufty - who only recently re-signed until the end of 2019 - in limbo.

Dragons release Kurt Mann

St George Illawarra utility Kurt Mann has requested and been granted a release from the final year of his Dragons playing contract. Mann played 60 games for the Dragons after joining the club at the beginning of the 2016 season.
He has signed with another NRL team for the 2019 season and beyond. Mann thanked the Dragons as well as the club's members and fans for their support. "I want to thank the Dragons and its members and fans for all their support over the past three years – it has meant so much to have worn the Red V jumper," Mann said.

Widdop makes massive call on Dragons future

Gareth Widdop will stay at St George Illawarra in 2019 but says he still has a desire to one day head to the English Super League. Widdop met with Dragons officials on Wednesday, just hours after reports broke that he had requested a release from the club to head home to England. But the Dragons captain told management he had no plans of leaving Paul McGregor's team before the end of next season. "I want to put to bed that I haven't asked a release for 2019," Widdop said.

"To all the members, fans and the little kids out there, I understand my importance to this team and my position as the captain and leader of this club. "I will be here in 2019 and can't wait for the season to start." Instead, he said he planned to one day return to the country he grew up in later in his career - but no timeline would be set. "There's no secret I have aspirations of going over to the UK and playing," said Widdop, who is contracted with the Dragons for the next three years. "It's something I've always wanted to do. I have a good relationship with the club and so when the time is right we'll work together."

Dragons look at Hayne for 2019 NRL

St George Illawarra have reportedly expressed an interest in Jarryd Hayne joining the NRL club next season as the two-time Dally M Medal winner remains without a contract. Hayne will meet the Dragons to discuss his future, according to a NRL.com report, which says the club have been in discussion for a number of days with the star back. It comes after veteran Dragons winger Jason Nightingale's retirement at the end of last season and fellow flyer Nene Macdonald's move to North Queensland.

The Dragons' younger brigade returned to training on Monday along with coach Paul McGregor and recruitment manager Ian Millward, with senior players expected back in coming weeks. Hayne last week admitted he was resigned to not being able to stay at Parramatta in 2019, as the Eels juggled their salary cap for next year. However, Parramatta management at the time were hopeful he could stay and that a deal would be signed in coming weeks depending on their ability to offload players.

St George Dragons NRL 2019 Draw

Teams they play twice: Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Knights, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Roosters, Eels, Sharks, Titans.

Teams they play once: Broncos, Warriors, Storm, Raiders, Panthers, Wests Tigers.

Day-by-day breakdown: Thursday - Four, Friday - Three, Saturday - Six, Sunday - Ten, Monday – One.

Five-day turnarounds: 3 (Rd 2, Rd 7, Rd 18).

Kick-off: St George Illawarra will have their mettle tested in the opening month of the season with just one match at home against the Rabbitohs at Kogarah in round two. They also have a couple of trips to Queensland to face the Cowboys and Broncos plus a round-four assignment in Newcastle.