Penrith Panthers veteran Luke Priddis has made a phone call to incoming St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett to secure a 2 year deal from 2009 with the Dragons.
The aging Priddis, 31, while an honest player – has struggled in the past 2 years to reach any heights for the Panthers with many feeling he lacks the speed and creativity of his younger rivals. From 2009 Priddis will reunite with his former Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett at the Dragons in what will be his 13th season in the NRL.
Priddis has now played 279 NRL games after starting his career in Canberra in 1997 and Bennett obviously believes he has something to offer the young Dragons.
“Luke is a mature and experienced player who will be a big plus to the Dragons both on and off the field,†said CEO Peter Doust.
“He has represented his country, won premierships and will be a great influence and role model for our younger players.â€
The move was a little baffling, the Dragons already having veteran rake Simon Woolford on their books who is more than capable and adds plenty of value from the hooking position.
The move takes the heat of Panthers officials who were keen to offload Priddis but wanted to do so in the most respectable fashion, with Priddis not keen to move anywhere initially.