Sharks sign seasoned prop

WHEN Caloundra captain Dom Mazzoleni told his coach he had a mate interested in playing for the Sharks this season, Taylor did not know what to expect.

Former Cronulla Shark and Bunnies signing Dale Newton will start with the Caloundra Sharks. Picture: BRETT WORTMAN

WHEN Caloundra captain Dom Mazzoleni told his coach, Kev Taylor, he had a mate interested in playing for the Sharks this season, Taylor did not know what to expect.

But his nerves were quickly quashed when Mazzoleni brought former NRL front-rower Dale Newton to Shark Park for a run.

Newton, who has played top-flight league for Cronulla and South Sydney, will lead the charge for the Sharks during the Caloundra RSL Cup season.

The Bribie Island product made his NRL debut with the Sharks in 2003 – playing a handful of games, and scoring a two-week suspension after his third match – before moving on to the Rabbitohs in 2005.

He turned out once for the Bunnies in what was a short but sharp NRL career and moved on to the Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup.

Newton, 28, has eventually landed on Caloundra’s doorstep and tonight in a trial against Kawana he will run on to Shark Park for the 2009 premier for the first time.

Newton said the lure of raising his young family on the Sunshine Coast was the main reason he move back to the region.

“I’ve got two little boys now so I thought it’d be a better spot to bring them up,” he said.

“It’s been good so far. I don’t know much about the club except for what Dom’s told me.

“I was a bit late for the pre-season because we were moving, but I’ve only heard good things.”

Taylor, who has taken over the coaching gig from Nick Paterson, said he was impressed with Newton’s training form.

“He’ll need a run this weekend, but he’s training good,” he said.

“He’s pretty strong and we’re a younger side this year, so someone like him has a lot of experience and can bring a lot to the club.

“We’re hoping for him to become a key part of the team.”

As part of the flood-relief matches today, Caloundra’s reserve grade and C-grade sides will play Blackbutt at 2pm and the Sharks under-18s will follow against Maroochydore at 4pm before the main event at 5.30pm.

Entry is a gold coin donation, with proceeds to go towards Queensland’s flood victims.

Originally published as Sharks sign seasoned prop