NRL signing news: St George Illawarra lock in rising talents Max and Mat Feagai
It isn’t all doom and gloom at St George Illawarra, with two of their brightest young stars committing to emulate club greats in a huge signing coup.
Dragons
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St George Illawarra has extended the futures of two of the club’s most promising young talents with Mat and Max Feagai revealing how their dream to carve out an NRL career together has been inspired by the remarkable journeys of the Morris twins.
The 20-year-old brothers have agreed to a new two-year extension that will keep them in Wollongong until at least the end of 2024.
The Dragons now have seven players who were a part of the 2019 SG Ball premiership winning team in Anthony Griffin’s top squad for the pre-season.
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Along with the Feagai boys there is also Jayden Sullivan, Junior Amone and Tyrell Sloan in the top 30, while Jackson Shereb and Josh Coric will be on development contracts in 2022.
Mat and Max played their juniors for the Leeton Raiders before joining the Dragons on scholarships when just 13.
They have now played eight and six NRL games respectively (only one together), but make no secret of their intentions to forge out a career together.
“It obviously means a lot,” Mat said.
“Our whole lives have been playing next to each other and being on the same journey.
“We knew from when we were very young that we wanted to do it and do it together.
“It means the world to us.”
They also know they could be fighting each other for same spot next season.
But watching how far dedication and hard work took Brett and Josh Morris, who also started out at the Dragons, has really given them a dream to chase together.
“Growing up and watching them, they are obviously twin brothers as Max and I are,” Mat added.
“We just thought it was really cool watching them do their thing, and even the last couple of seasons they have been outstanding.
“It is definitely something that has played a big part in both Mathew and I, and our journeys.”
Max added that seeing how hard Brett and Josh worked to fulfil their talent was key.
“They played at such a high level for such a long time and there is obviously a reason for that,” Max said.
“It is because of their hard work and I guess determination as well.”
Max was initially considered the most advanced of the two but while his season was cut short by a worrying concussion injury, Mat went from strength to strength when the team moved to Queensland and his brother was left behind.
But Max said he had now fully recovered and was ready to mount his case during pre-season.
“I find it hard to not think about what could have been,” Max conceded.
“But it is what it is.
“I was actually kind of happy staying behind and getting my body right again, especially my head, getting it 100 per cent.
“After the concussion I had it was kind of hard feeling normal again.
“But we are already back (training). I am happy I get to train with the team again.”
They both are fully aware that next year there is going to be plenty of competition for spots with the addition of Moses Suli who is considered the obvious centre partner for Zac Lomax, while Mikaele Ravalawa and Cody Ramsey are the main rivals for the wing spots.
“It makes it fun if anything,” Mat said.
“At the end of the day it healthy competition. There is no spite or any dramas or bad energy.
“We both obviously want to make the team together but we do see each other as rivals I guess.”
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST JOINS RED V
By Chris Honnery
The Dragons have bolstered their NRLW squad with an Olympic gold medallist ahead of the postponed women’s competition next year.
Australian Rugby 7s star Emma Tonegato has linked up with the Red V for the 2022 season in what will be a return to the sport for the Wollongong junior.
The 26-year-old played league for the Helensburgh Tiger Lillies and represented the Australian Jillaroos before going on to enjoy a successful career at the top level of women’s rugby.
As recently as this year, Tonegato represented Australia at the Tokyo Olympics as part of the women’s Rugby 7s side and was a member of the gold medal-winning side at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
The try scoring machine said she was eager to try her hand in the national women’s rugby league competition.
“I‘m super excited to be a part of the Dragons,” Tonegato said.
“It‘s a great club and has a strong history in Wollongong.
“My career started in rugby league here in Wollongong, I played for the Helensburgh Tiger Lillies and ended up being selected for the Jillaroos from there.
“I‘ve always wanted to see how I’d go playing in the NRLW especially since it wasn’t around when I started playing.
“I‘m looking forward to seeing how I stack up against the other girls.“
It’s the first Dragons signing since the postponement of the 2021 NRLW competition – set to be played in February 2022 – and Tonegato becomes the 17th player to be added to their squad.
More signings are set to be announced as the competition draws closer, with the club already securing the services of star forward Kezie Apps and youngster Keeley Davis.
Tonegato also shapes as a handy replacement for Dragons star fullback Sam Bremner (pregnancy) next year.
“The opportunity to bring someone with (Tonegato’s) experience across both codes is a big addition to our NRLW squad,” Dragons general manager of football Ben Haran said.
“To secure a player of her quality and experience with ties to the region is certainly a positive and the club will only benefit from the arrival of Emma.”
Young reveals his vision for the Dragons
- Michael Carayannis
Craig Young says you cannot hide from the fact that it has been a few lean years for St George Illawarra.
Young steps into the role as chairman of the Dragons on Monday taking on one of the few positions he has yet to hold at the club. The premiership winning captain turned coach, recruitment officer and board member replaces Andrew Gordon as part of the three year rotating tenure ship between WIN and the St George side of the joint venture.
Gordon remains part of the Dragons board.
In his first interview ahead of officially taking the position Young discusses the Dragons lean period, Anthony Griffin’s future and St George Illawarra’s long-term plans.
HOT SEAT
Young jokes that he was “was a water boy once too” so there are not too many roles within the organisation during his four decade association with St George that he has not held. He ended his career as one of the club’s most decorated players before turning his hand to coaching. Young was also part of Wayne Bennett’s staff during the 2010 premiership win and has most recently been chairman of the St George District Rugby League Club.
“The advantage is I started at the bottom and I know how it all works,” Young said. “How passionate people like the gear stewards are. It’s not all the top end. It’s a great honour. You think of the history of the place. I’m very enthusiastic and I want to help the club.
“From the football side of things, it’s important for me. I have a keen eye on the footy and I have confidence in the coach.”
ON-FIELD WOES
The Dragons have won just two finals games since Bennett’s departure at the end of 2011 – and have made the top eight just once in the past six years. Young knows results need to shift dramatically.
“I’m not saying we are going to win the competition or finish in the top four – we just need to get into the semi finals,” Young said. “The fans are sick and tired of not (featuring). It’s as simple as that. You can’t hide from the fact.
“We are at a transition phase. We rotated the roster around. There’s 16 players who have been taken out of the club and we brought some experience in.
“We have to get the culture right. That’s the first thing and discipline to make it a success. There’s no hiding from the fact that it there was ill-discipline and poor decisions. The players understand that now. They understand the mistake.
“(The lean period has) a lot to do with roster management. At times you lose focus and you look at players individually. You have to look at them collectively. It’s a team environment.
“We have to get the culture right. I’m confident the players we bought in are strike players. We had trouble scoring points last season. We just need some consistency with the same team on the field for longer periods of time and will be OK. We had to let local juniors go like Matt Dufty which wasn’t ideal but it’s a professional business.
“Players like George Burgess, he is confident in his rehab. He has only played like eight games in the last two years. He is keen. (Son) Dean said Francis Molo is very coachable and wants to get better which is good.”
COACHING FUTURE
Coach Anthony Griffin heads into the final year of his two year deal. The club have an option in their favour to retain him for another 12 months. Griffin presented his review to the board which identified the culture and discipline of the club needed to improve.
“He has done well with the roster for next year,” Young said. “We have some players who want success who haven’t had success. That’s important. He has made a few changes to his staff. We will make a decision on the coach earlier than later. We have to.”
THE PLAN FORWARD
Young said the path was clear off the field.
“Our priority is getting a performance centre,” Young said. “We’ve put a submission into the government and we should have an indication by December. It’s a big project on Wollongong University campus. That’s the big step. The facilities aren’t great at WIN Stadium but that’s not everything.”
The Dragons will also celebrate St George’s centenary after Covid-19 plagued plans this year. A team of the century will be announced plus more legends will be added to the walk of fame outside Netstrata Jubilee Oval.
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