NRL: St George Illawarra players welcome Jack de Belin’s potential contract extension

Dragons players believe Jack de Belin would “dominate” if he is given clearance to return to the NRL next season.

Jack De Belin is hopeful of playing in the NRL again after sitting out the past two seasons due to alleged sexual assault. Picture: AAP Image/Darren Pateman.

St George Illawarra players have welcomed Jack de Belin’s contract extension pending his court case, declaring he is still a world class player who would “dominate” if he returned to the NRL next season.

De Belin’s challenging career received a boost during the week when the Dragons announced that the former NSW Origin forward had agreed in principle to a new contract beyond the 2020 season.

The potential extension comes only a week after it was determined that his alleged aggravated sexual assault case would proceed to trial, set for November.

De Belin hasn’t played for two years after being stood down under the NRL’s ‘no fault’ stand down policy, but his teammates believe he would excel if given clearance to return.

Halfback Adam Clune has no doubts that the Cootamundra-born forward would star in the NRL again after seeing him perform strongly at training.

“Yeah, he (Jack) is going unreal,” Clune said.

“It is a credit to him the way he has been able to apply himself, not just the last 12 months, but the last two years.

“If we can get Jack back on the field next year, it would be unreal. He is a world class player and he would make a massive difference to the team.

“I have no doubt that he will be able to go out there and dominate.

“He is still one of the top players in the game if he was able to get out there and put some product on the field and I have total belief that he would be able to get the job done.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos Friday, August 28, 2020. Dragons rugby player Jack de Belin leaves Wollongong District Court. The case of rape will go to trial. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Bullard

Dragons fullback Matt Dufty is also keen to have de Belin back in the team.

“We’ve obviously missed him a lot this year,” Dufty said.

“He is one of those forwards who can force an error and change the momentum in a game.”

Originally published as NRL: St George Illawarra players welcome Jack de Belin’s potential contract extension