NRL news: Bookies install St George Illawarra at record-breaking odds to win 2022 premiership
Wests Tigers have big issues, but bookmakers have installed St George Illawarra at record-breaking odds to win the 2022 premiership. Are they the worst team in the NRL?
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St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin has hit out at claims his side is in for a long 2022 season after bookmakers installed the club at record odds to win the premiership.
Griffin will start his second season in charge of the Dragons under pressure to produce immediate results given he is off contract at the end of next year.
And the outlook looks grim, as least as far as the TAB are concerned.
The TAB have installed St George Illawarra at $51 to win the 2022 title – the rank outsider of the competition.
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It’s the first time in the club’s 22-year existence that St George Illawarra have opened at $51 and on the last line of betting.
The Dragons are a longer price than the bumbling Wests Tigers, 2021 wooden spooners Canterbury and hapless North Queensland.
It is a mark of how little expectation there is around the Dragons heading into next season, despite the club being among the most prolific roster movers during the off-season.
They have signed Jaydn Su’A, George Burgess, Moses Suli, Francis Molo, Aaron Woods, Tautau Moga and Jack Gosiewski.
Unsurprisingly, Griffin gave the oddsmakers short shrift as he discussed how they could learn from last season’s bitter disappointment.
“Nothing has changed,” he said.
“It was the same last year. Every interview I did they said you are favourites for the wooden spoon. That didn’t end up the way they tipped it so it doesn’t bother me the latest one.
“I don’t give it much value or thought. That is for the bookies, not me. We were in the top eight for three-quarters of the year – 17 or 18 out of the 24 weeks.
“We did it to ourselves.”
The TAB’s Rohan Welsh offered a reason for the joint-venture’s historic odds.
“The Dragons are a team TAB punters come out of the woodwork for when the going is good but can be unloved when they’re battling and all signs point to another year of struggle,” Welsh said.
“The way they ended 2021 wouldn’t have left punters with much optimism about 2022, especially if you then compare their signings to some of the other teams at the bottom of the ladder like Brisbane with Adam Reynolds and Kurt Capewell and the Bulldogs with Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr and co.
“Wests Tigers have had their issues but they did beat the Dragons twice this past season, so they’re $41 at this stage, with St George Illawarra the competition outsiders with TAB at $51.”
Griffin was an early contender for coach of the year last season after Saints won four of their first five matches.
But their season fell apart in mid-July when the players took part in an infamous team barbecue which violated not only team orders, but NRL biosecurity protocols and NSW health guidelines.
More than half the side was suspended over the breach of health protocols and the club never recovered, failing to win another match from their last eight games.
“There is a lot of stuff we can build on from last year,” Griffin said.
“Obviously there are a lot of circumstances we can learn from.”
Manly’s plan to keep DCE out of Dolphins’ reach
—Dean Ritchie
Relentless speculation about Daly Cherry-Evans joining the Dolphins has prompted Manly to reveal their long-term plans for the star halfback.
The Sea Eagles want Cherry-Evans to complete his current contract, probably secure a two-year extension and then shift into a coaching role at Brookvale.
Manly hope this should end the talk that Redcliffe-born Cherry-Evans will leave the club after next season to become the Dolphins’ inaugural captain in 2023.
Cherry-Evans, 32, plans to honour the remaining two years on his contract before discussing an extension. It could mean Cherry-Evans plays until the end of 2025, aged 36.
And News Corp can reveal Cherry-Evans is being earmarked to join Des Hasler’s coaching staff once he retires.
At this point, it would be a part-time advisory, consultancy and leadership role around the club’s halves, similar to the job Andrew Johns had at Parramatta and now at Newcastle.
There is also scope for Cherry-Evans to join Manly’s marketing and corporate team.
“Daly is contracted for two more years and, right now, he is keen to continue playing beyond that,” Manly chief executive Stephen Humphreys said.
“Who knows how long he will play? He is so professional the way he goes about everything – his preparation, rehab, the way he plays.
“He is very durable — he hardly misses a game — so who’s to say he couldn’t play for another two years beyond the two he is contracted.
“We definitely want Daly to be a one-club player and right now he is playing at the highest level. He finished inside the top five at the Dally M’s this year and is a fantastic leader. Right now it’s about continuing to support his playing career and to make sure he does that at Manly.
“Beyond that, I know Des is keen to have Daly joining his coaching staff. He would add tremendous value in that space, particularly for the halves but also for the leadership group.”
Cherry-Evans remains among the NRL’s elite.
This year, he guided Manly to a top-four finish and was nominated for the Dally M halfback of the year award. He also finished equal fourth in the Dally M Medal count alongside the Roosters star fullback James Tedesco.
His Manly teammates believe Cherry-Evans would enjoy a smooth and natural entry into a coaching role after he retires.
“And there are certainly lots of opportunities for him to get involved in the commercial areas of the club,” Humphreys said.
“He is so well spoken and presents himself very professionally so there are lots of areas where he could add value to the club beyond his playing days and we are keen to explore all of those at the right time. That’s his goal as well.”
Friends say Cherry-Evans has settled on Sydney’s northern beaches and has no plans to return to live in Queensland.
One friend said: “He’s not going anywhere. I hear the rumours too because he is from Redcliffe but his whole family – and all his mates – are down here in Sydney.”
Humphreys added: “Daly is well-established living on the northern beaches.”
Dolphins’ red V promise to fired up Dragons
– Chris Honnery
The Dolphins have assured Dragons fans there will be no red V on their home-and-away kit after revealing their heritage jersey and major new sponsor at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday.
St George Illawarra officials fired a warning shot this week urging the NRL’s newest franchise, telling it to steer away from their famous Red V jersey when designing its own.
The Redcliffe Dolphins, who also play in red and white, have a similar strip in their jersey cabinet. It has a white V on a red jersey.
However, Dolphins boss Terry Reader there would be no red V on their home-and-away jerseys when they join the NRL in 2023.
“We don’t play until 2023 and the kit we will put together will take into account our home-and-away and the differences from the traditional Redcliffe Dolphins jersey,” Reader said.
“The Dragons have nothing to worry about. There will be no red V on our jersey.
“We will be bringing the gold in to add to the red and white, which is important to differentiate ourselves from the Dragons as well.”
A gold trim has been added to the club’s heritage jersey, which was unveiled at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday. The Dolphins also announced their major new sponsor, Adventure Kings.
The Australian-owned 4WD, camping and outdoor company will have its logo front and centre on the club’s jersey.
Reader said the club wanted to have merchandise ready by Christmas.
“We’ve been really buoyed by the excitement,” he said.
“Whether that’s to be a member, to get merchandise, wanting to be a corporate partner – it’s a really good position for us and shows how ready Brisbane is for a second team.”
In the meantime, Reader and newly appointed head coach Wayne Bennett are gearing up for the November 1 contract deadline, when they can negotiate with players who come off contract at the end of 2022.
“The market opens next week and we’re really respectful of the rules,” Reader said.
“There’s a lot of work going on in the background.
“We’ll be ready and in a position to talk that’s for sure (by November 1).
“We’re very confident that we’re going to have a very competitive roster for the 2023 season.”
Dragons fire warning shot at new boys
– Dean Ritchie
St George Illawarra has issued a stern warning to the celebrating Dolphins — hands off our famous Red V.
The Dolphins, who play in the same red and white colours as the Dragons, will consider several jumper designs for entry in the 2023 NRL premiership, including a current playing strip strikingly similar to St George Illawarra.
While St George Illawarra predominantly play in a white jersey with a red V, Redcliffe has previously played in a red jumper with a white chevron.
The Dragons may even ask the NRL to step in and ensure their iconic jumper design isn’t copied by the Dolphins.
Redcliffe even wore the red jumper with white V during a 42-18 loss to Canterbury in the 2018 Intrust Super State Championship at ANZ Stadium, a curtain raiser to the NRL grand final. The same jumper was used this year by Redcliffe’s under 18 side.
“There’s only one team that will wear the Red V and that’s us,” Dragons legend and board member Craig Young said. “That red V started nearly 100 years ago.”
Asked what the Red V meant to him, Young said: “That’s a good question — it’s my life, really. It’s nearly the most iconic brand in world sport. You think of the Red V and you think of St George Illawarra.”
St George started wearing the iconic red V jumper in 1945 before it was adopted by the joint venture Dragons from 1998.
While the Dolphins claim they have not settled on any jersey proposals, Young and St George Illawarra chief executive Ryan Webb sent a quick and direct message to the 17th franchise – stay away from our jumper design.
Even if Dolphins ignore the jumper chevron, Saints officials will monitor their opponents’ playing strip possibilities to ensure any designs aren’t alarmingly alike.
Webb said his club’s Red V could never be replicated by a rival club. St George Illawarra refer to their members as Red V members.
“The Red V is quite iconic and our club has proudly worn it for years,” Webb said. “I don’t think a new club could carry something with such weight. We would be protective of the jersey for what it represents now and has for many years.
“Our jumper encapsulates the pride of the club and the history that comes with wearing it. Whenever you talk about the club, that Red V is something that is proudly spoken about and our fans are passionately protective of it because it has meant so much to them.
“If I chatted to the board about it they would be quite protective of it. You would assume commonsense would prevail and they (Dolphins) would have to do something with their design.
“In any decision, there has to be respect for what the Red V means to the game as a whole. That needs to be taken into account for any new club with a new jersey design. I’ve got no doubt this would be something Peter (V’landys, ARLC chairman) and Andrew (Abdo, NRL CEO) would work through.
“Even us as St George Illawarra, we are lucky to be wearing it because it was St George that laid the foundation. People are proud to be associated with it whether you’re a fan or a player.”
Young was passionate and honest when discussing what the Red V jumper has meant to him throughout his life.
“There’s only one red V and we’re the ones wearing it,” said Young, who played 234 games for Saints and coached the club in 1989 and 1990. “The Red V is tradition and that is what this game is built on – tradition. It means everything to a lot of people. They (Dolphins) are starting fresh and I’m sure they would want their own identity.”
Dolphins CEO Terry Reader said his club had multiple design options but would not release its home and away playing strips until next year. The new NRL club will unveil a Heritage Round jumper at a sponsorship launch in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Asked about their red V jumper, Reader said: “That’s a current Redcliffe Dolphins jersey. We will not have our home and away kit designed and released until next year.
“The Heritage jumper will take into account the heritage and history of our Redcliffe Dolphins jersey. Hopefully we have that in store for Christmas for fans and supporters.”
The potential stink has reminded footy fans about the much-publicised drama between Port Adelaide and Collingwood in the AFL during April.
Port Adelaide were angered by AFL decision refusing to allow the club to use a jersey similar to Collingwood’s ‘prison bars’ jumper.
“I know in the AFL, Port Adelaide entered the AFL and had to give up their ‘prison bars’ because Collingwood already had them. It’s a similar angle,” Webb said.
Dragons boosted by recruit’s astonishing recovery
– Paul Crawley
Anthony Griffin has opened up about George Burgess’s astonishing recovery from hip surgery, saying the giant St George Illawarra recruit is back running and determined to make 2022 his best year since South Sydney won the competition in 2014.
The court was told that Burgess said he felt provoked by the man, who had been filming him while Burgess was on his mobile phone trying to get directions to a chemist.
Burgess, 29, had hip surgery earlier this year and the court was told he had been suffering from debilitating pain at the time of the incident.
Those close to Burgess say it is incredible that he has been able to continue playing despite the chronic agony he has had to deal with for most of his career at South Sydney and later at Wigan. It made it virtually impossible for him to even run.
“That is what he said,” Griffin said. “He hasn’t been able to train since 2014.
“Peter Gentle (Dragons assistant coach) worked with him at Souths the last year he was there (in 2019) and he said he just used to ride a bike or do yoga or something in the gym all week. Then they would wheel him out for captain’s run and then play him. He said that’s all he could do.
“And when I first spoke to him when he was in England he said his biggest motivation was to do an off-season. He said, ‘I just want to train like everyone else trains’.
“That is what he was looking forward to the most, because he hadn’t been able to do it for five or six seasons.”
Griffin said Burgess had shown tremendous perseverance while recovering from the life-changing hip surgery, and was now at the stage where he was doing a lot of agility running over short distances and some hill climbs.
He said at this stage it was not about conditioning but to continue Burgess’s rehab to hopefully have him ready to join the main squad for pre-season training before Christmas.
“He has been back five or six weeks and he is going well,” Griffin said.
“I watched him train (on Tuesday) and, gee, he is moving really well.
“He is really motivated and positive. He said he has never felt better.”
Burgess, with 149 NRL games, is one of five forward recruits who will give the Dragons close to 2000 games of NRL experience between the 16 players fighting for a starting spot in the pack next season.
The Dragons have also secured Aaron Woods (233 games), Jaydn Su’A (83), Francis Molo (76) and Jack Gosiewski (52).
It should create some tremendous competition when you throw them in with the likes of Jack de Belin (165), Jack Bird (105), Josh McGuire (245), Blake Lawrie (79), Tariq Sims (204), Josh Kerr (47), Daniel Alvaro (114), Tyrell Fuimaono (60) and Poasa Faamausili (39), while Andrew McCullough (289) is the dummy half.
Utility Moses Mbye (157) is another recruit who gives great experience and can cover dummy half.
Griffin said there would be no guarantees for any of them heading into the pre-season, and every starting and bench spot was up for grabs.
“One hundred per cent. We need that,” Griffin said.
“I mean, where we are at the moment, not that you ever do, but we can’t be taking anything for granted.”
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