Dragons, Arncliffe Scots junior Nicholas Tsougranis desperate to join former teammates in NRL
He’s the 18-year-old rising backrower from Arncliffe Scots who continues to tick every box on the pathway to representing his beloved St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL. Here’s the latest.
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The son of a Dragons tragic, for Nicholas Tsougranis the only colours he sees when it comes to footy are red and white.
Turning 19 in July, the powerfully built Arncliffe Scots junior has been rising through the Saints system since he was 13. With two seasons of SG Ball under his belt, the aggressive backrower was going about his business in Jersey Flegg last week until he got the surprise of his life.
“I’d just finished playing and was taking my strapping off to go home. Then out of the blue the NSW Cup coach asked me to sit with the side as 18th man,” said Tsougranis.
While he didn’t see any game time, it was another feather in the cap for the youngster who has thrived with the arrival of former Kiwi international Willie Talau.
“Willie joined the club this year and pretty much runs the pathway system,” said Tsougranis.
“He’s been a real mentor for me, and a massive help in developing my game. We’ve had some really honest conversations about the things I really need to work on both on and off the field.
“He was the SG Ball coach. We lost the first four games but once we started to jell, Willie taught us how to close games out and we really started putting some strong performances together.”
With the Dragons accessing juniors from both St George and the Illawarra, Tsougranis doesn't have to look far for inspiration.
Just under 12 months ago he was packing down alongside Toby Couchman in the Jersey Flegg. Fast forward to 2023, and the 19-year-old Couchman has played nine NRL games since making his debut in round two.
“What Toby has done this year is pretty inspiring. I played against him last year when he was in the Steelers SG Ball side, then we played Flegg together and now he’s playing NRL,” he said.
“I’m sure this time last year Toby would never have pictured himself playing first grade.
“But he works really hard, and if I do the same then down the track I might get there too.”
A fan of the aggressive style of Jaydn Su‘A and the damaging lines run by Cronulla’s Briton Nikora, Tsougranis’ development is set to continue next season in Flegg, while he hopes to win an off-season training contract alongside the NRL squad.
While he admits to not being the biggest boy on the books, his confidence comes from aggression and line speed. And with red and white pumping through his veins, he has only one vision in mind.
“I have loved the Red V since I was born, and I want nothing more than to wear an NRL jumper for the Dragons.”
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