Twist in Dragons race as third contender emerges; Wayne’s big halves move — NRL DAILY

The St George Illawarra Dragons have moved one step closer to appointing the full-time head coach for the 2027 season.

Yet to make a call on who will lead them next season, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the club has finished the final rounds of interviews with potential candidates and will present the options to the board on Monday.

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It is understood that a committee, led by CEO Tim Watsford, interviewed interim coach Dean Young, South Sydney Rabbitohs assistant coach and 2010 premiership winner Ben Hornby, and at least one other contender for the role. The third candidate remains anonymous.

The decision now rests with a representative from the St George District Rugby League Football Club and Bruce Gordon’s shareholding.

The two parties must come to an agreement.

Speaking to the NewsWire last week, new signing Scott Drinkwater revealed that he would love to be coached by Young when he joins the club next season.

“I do watch a little bit closely now,” the Cowboys fullback, who is seen to be a member of the Dragons roster told the NewsWire.

“Youngy’s picking players who are defensive effort-based players and who go after the game that way. They’re in games a lot now and it’s much tighter than what they have been.

“He’s a great coach and I hope he gets the job. The way he’s able to talk to his players is great and he has a good relationship with players.

“He understands different players and how they need to be approached or brought up in video sessions or even just one-on-one with him.

“He’s a good dude, hard, and a good communicator, so he’s got every trait. He’s from Wollongong, loves the club, so it’s great to have people who have a really big love for something.

“Fingers crossed he gets it. But if not, I can’t dwell on it. Whoever comes in to coach, I can’t be sulking about that. We’ll see what happens, but fingers crossed Youngy gets it.”

RABBITOHS EXTEND YOUNGSTER

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have officially confirmed that Ashton Ward will remain at the club beyond this season after agreeing to a contract upgrade and extension.

Upgraded to a top 30 contract for the remainder of the season, the exciting young playmaker will remain at the Cardinal and Myrtle until at least the end of 2028.

The decision from the Rabbitohs comes after Ward was the only first-choice halfback in the NRL who remained unsigned for next year.

Debuting in Round 21 last year against the Sharks, the 22-year-old has since featured in 15 NRL matches and formed a lethal combination with Cody Walker in the halves.

“I could not be happier to be staying here at Souths. They showed faith in me and gave me my shot in the NRL and I want to repay the Club for that,” Ward said.

“I love my teammates and learning under Wayne (Bennett) and the other coaches, and everyone around the Club has been very supportive.

“I also love playing for our fans and our Members. We see how passionate they are about this club every week and I love going out on the field and playing for them.

“There is a bright future here at Souths and I can’t wait to be part of it.”

MANLY LAND EELS FORWARD

The Manly Sea Eagles have announced the signing of middle forward Toni Mataele on a two-year contract for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

Spending the past few years at the Parramatta Eels, Mataele will return to the club eight years after helping the Sea Eagles win their first Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup title.

Coming up through the ranks as a centre, he has since transitioned to the forward pack will he add further depth to Kieran Foran’s side over the next couple of years.

“Toni is a young, athletic prop who will add quality, depth and aggression to our pack,” Foran said.

“We look forward to welcoming Toni and his family back to the Sea Eagles at the end of this season.”

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