Manly Sea Eagles snare Joel Thompson from St George-Illawarra Dragons on two-year deal
THE on-again, off-again saga of Joel Thompson joining the Sea Eagles is finally over with the veteran backrower gaining a release from the Dragons and heading to Brookvale on a two-year contract.
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THE on-again, off-again saga of Joel Thompson joining the Sea Eagles is finally over with the veteran backrower gaining a release from the Dragons and heading to Brookvale on a two-year deal.
Thompson admitted in a video released by the club that it was an “emotional day” moving on after four years with the Dragons.
“It is going to be really tough leaving such a great club. The staff, the players, the fans, have been unbelievable to me and I can’t thank them enough,” he said.
“It was a tough decision but with three little girls, a young family, I had to make that decision.”
The backrower revealed in a message to Dragons fans that another factor played a role in his decision.
“They’ve got some great young players coming through with some big potential who are going to play some really good football.
“I believe that the young guys coming through will now step up and take the role and make it their own and take this club to where it deserves and be up the top of the table.”
Manly head Coach Trent Barrett welcomed Thompson, who has played 174 NRL games for the Canberra Raiders and St George-Illawarra Dragons, to the club.
“Joel is a player I have admired for a long time. I coached him in the Country team a couple of years ago,’’ Barrett said.
“Not only is Joel a terrific bloke and a terrific leader but he is extremely competitive and very tough. He is a professional.
“Joel has played plenty of first grade and his experience is something I thought our squad needed. Not only will the team benefit from it but also a lot of our young individuals will benefit too from having someone like Joel around.”
Sea Eagles CEO Lyall Gorman said Thompson brings a lot to the club both on and off the field.
“Joel brings a strong passion and commitment through not just his on-field performances but also his off-field contribution in the community,” said Gorman.
“His dedication to adding value across the community is an area to which our club is genuinely committed and one for which Joel was recently recognised through being the well-deserved recipient of the NRL Ken Stephen Medal for Community Service.”
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Off contract to end 2018: Leeson Ah Mau, Matt Dufty, Reuben Garrick, Patrick Herbert, Josh Kerr, Jeremy Latimore, Cameron McInnes, Jason Nightingale, Jordan Pereira, Hame Sele.
2018 Gains: James Graham (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2020), Ben Hunt (Brisbane Broncos, 2023), Jeremy Latimore (Cronulla Sharks, 2018), Darren Nicholls (Penrith Panthers, 2019), Mitchell Allgood (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, 2018).
2018 Losses: Joel Thompson (Manly Sea Eagles), Josh Dugan (Cronulla Sharks), Drew Hutchison (Leigh Centurions), Chris Lewis (released), Mose Masoe (Hull Kingston Rovers), Will Matthews (Widnes Vikings), Tyrone McCarthy (Salford Red Devils), Josh McCrone (Toronto Wolfpack), Taane Milne (Wests Tigers), Shaun Nona (released), Russell Packer (Wests Tigers), Siliva Havili (Canberra Raiders)