Taking up the mantle of the lock position in light of some departures, Jack de Belin has enjoyed a sound start to his 2017 season and in a move that will have the fans cheering, he has re-signed for a further three seasons.
A Cootamundra Bulldogs junior, De Belin made his debut in 2011 and has so far played in 108 NRL games, a tally that will continue to rise over the next few years.
2016 saw him make his representative debut with the Country Origin side as well as taking out the Dragons Immortals Trophy.
In the end, it was an easy decision for de Belin.
“I’m stoked to be staying at the club. I’ve always seen myself staying here,” de Belin said.
“It’s the only club I’ve ever been at and I love it here. I love the direction we’re going in so it was an easy decision for me.
“I feel I have a lot of potential that I haven’t tapped into yet.”
Knowing how crucial and valuable he is to the side, the club are equally pleased to have retained the lock forward.
“With Jack, he’s come through our junior setup and been at the club for a long period of time, and he’s really blossomed as a player,” said Dragons Director of Rugby League Pathways, Ian Millward.
“He’s one of the fittest at the club and it’s not very often you get players like him to play 80 minutes and be as lethal in defence as he is.
“His better years are ahead of him.”