Depth signings are crucial for any side and the St George Illawarra Dragons have acted swiftly, re-signing forward Will Matthews for the 2014 season.
Matthews, a Kyogle Turkeys junior, has played in ten games for the Dragons, after enjoying a successful stint with the Gold Coast Titans.
To date, Matthews has played in 43 NRL games and was an integral part of the Illawarra Cutters side this year, with the forward excited to stay at the club.
I am pleased to have come to terms and remain with the Dragons, I really enjoy being a part of the Club and in the Wollongong area so am really happy to know that I can stay for at least another season,” said Matthews.
“The Club has recruited strongly for next season and I look forward to working hard in the pre-season giving myself the best opportunity to push for a regular place in the NRL team next year”.
Additionally, the club has signed Wests Tigers prop Matt Groat, who has played in 17 NRL games to date but has had a tough run with injuries so far this year.
Groat, who is a two-time Australian Schoolboys representative, is originally from the Riverina area and has enjoyed representative honours for the young Kangaroos side and the NSW U20’s side.
Someone who knows Groat well is current Dragons prop Jack Stockwell, who was a classmate of Groat’s at St Gregory’s College.
“Matt is a great guy who will fit in really well at the Dragons,” said Dragons prop Jack Stockwell.
“We were at school together at St Greg’s and were lucky enough to play some representative football together in recent years so I’m really looking forward to playing with him again next year.
“He has had some back luck with injuries but I know that he is definitely keen to work hard and is looking forward to joining us in the pre-season.”
