NRL 2021: St George Illawarra halfback Adam Clune hoses down potential move to Nth Queensland

Rumoured to be a makeweight in the deal to land Josh McGuire, local boy Adam Clune reveals he has no desire to leave the in-form Dragons.

Josh McGuire has joined the Dragons. Picture: Alix Sweeney

As Josh McGuire heads south to join the Dragons, St George Illawarra’s Adam Clune has declared he doesn’t want to go the other way, with the halfback keen to stay in Wollongong.

Clune has been linked with a potential mid-season move to the Cowboys once Ben Hunt returns from injury, but the 25-year old has made it known he wants to stick with the Dragons for the time being.

“I haven’t given it any thought. A few articles have come out but I didn’t know about it and a few people have asked me about it, but I want to stay here in Wollongong,” Clune said.

Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Adam Clune wants to stay in Wollongong and cites unfinished business with the Dragons.

“I’m a local boy, I have my family and friends here and we’re building something special at the club. I’ve got some really close friends and it’s a really close group, my number one priority is to stay here.

“I’m not really focused on that at the moment, I’m under contract here for the next year so as far as I’m concerned, I’m staying at the Dragons.”

Clune had been rumoured to be the makeweight in a potential swap deal for McGuire, who was officially announced as a Dragon on Tuesday.

The Albion Park junior made his NRL debut last season and has helped steer the Dragons to a surprise top-four berth to start the year following Corey Norman’s suspension and Hunt’s injury.

“It’s good to have interest and options. That’s my focus, I want to be a starting half, I don’t just want to be a back up,” Clune said.

“I want to be able to build a long career and help the Dragons build some success. It’s good to have some interest but I have a lot of improvement in me, I still haven’t played 20 games yet.

“If I can keep building on that, adding little things each week, I can bring more and more stuff to the team.”

McGuire has been named on an extended bench for the club’s clash with the Warriors on Sunday and could be a late inclusion.

The Dragons forwards have set the platform for the clubs four-match winning streak and McGuire’s experience and rugged playing style would only add to their steel.

“I used to watch him on TV (for Queensland) and think ‘we’ve got Josh McGuire, so there’ll be a bit of mongrel in the pack’ so I think that’s why Hook’s got him,” said backrower Josh Kerr.

“He’s had him in the past, he knows what he can do, he’s going to bring that bit of mongrel to the team.

Clune had been rumoured to be the makeweight in a potential swap deal for Josh McGuire.

“Where he fits in I’m not too sure — we’re on a bit of a winning streak so Hook might have to have a tough conversation with someone or he’ll have to earn his way in.

“But I think he’s going to be a welcome addition to the team, he brings that experience.”

Veteran forward Trent Merrin, who has tangled with McGuire for years at club and representative level, echoed Kerr’s sentiments.

“He’s got the mongrel about him. He’s got the seniority, he’s played rep footy, he’s a great player to have in your team,” Merrin said.

“I haven’t been in a camp with him but to be able to play in those teams you have to be a good person. I’ve heard nothing but great things about him and I think he’s going to add a lot to this team.

“I loved playing against him, I always enjoyed our battles over the years. I know what sort of player we’re getting and I’m excited for it.”

On the move: McGuire plays last game with Cowboys

Josh McGuire has played his last game for the Cowboys with the veteran forward agreeing to join high-flying St George Illawarra immediately.

McGuire missed North Queensland’s first win of the season against the Tigers on Sunday with an infected elbow, however the issue is not expected to sideline him long-term. He spent 36 hours in hospital last week.

The Dragons confirmed the deal on Tuesday morning, announcing that McGuire had signed on until the end of 2022. The club is hopeful McGuire he could line-up for the club as early as Sunday against the Warriors.

The Dragons pursued McGuire during the pre-season but he opted to remain a Cowboy under new coach Todd Payten. But that has lasted just four games with the struggling Cowboys giving the former Queensland and Australian forward permission to negotiate with rival clubs. His favoured destination was always the Dragons where McGuire will reunite with former Broncos coach Anthony Griffin until at least the end of next year. He joins a long-list of players including Ben Hunt, Corey Norman and Andrew McCullough who had a prior association with Griffin before he joined the club. The trio have rejuvenated their careers under Griffin.

The Dragons also added Panthers back-rower Billy Burns in a player swap with Eddie Blacker last week.

St George Illawarra signed McGuire’s North Queensland teammate Francis Molo on a three-year deal.

The Cowboys originally inquired about a potential swap deal with Dragons No. 7 Adam Clune but that trade deal is not on the table at the moment. Clune has become vital for the Dragons given the absence of Ben Hunt. He is also the back-up option should hooker Andrew McCullough go down injured.

They will also likely learn the fate of Jack de Belin this month after the former NSW lock returned to court on Monday.