Reliable winger Nightingale shows the skills for Dragons

Sharks and Dragons fans in St George and Sutherland Shire eagerly await the new season.

The Auckland Nines get under way on January 31 to February 1.

The Dragons tackle premiers Souths in the annual Charity Shield game on Saturday, February 7, at ANZ Stadium.

And speaking of the Dragons, Jason Nightingale is the man who should be anointed as the next man to skipper the St George Illawarra Dragons.

When incumbent leader Ben Creagh's career finishes and he hangs up the boots, to me Nightingale is the right man to become the next in charge.

The super-dependable winger, who bobs up all over the field, has crossed for 81 tries in 179 NRL games for the Dragons since his debut in 2007.

One of the most important qualities when a coach selects a leader is the player's ability to lead by example, set the right standard both on and off the field for their peers, a player who rarely, if at all will, get dropped and someone who gives 100 per cent.

Nightingale, a Renown United junior, is off contract at the Dragons at the end of 2015.

What better time for the Dragons' footy club management, headed by coach Paul McGregor, to get his signature on a good deal before a ball is kicked in 2015 with a plan in place to have the Kiwi international as the man to succeed Ben Creagh as skipper.

The players respect him. The fans love, the unique running style and things Nightingale does on the field.

You can count on one hand the number of below-par games Nightingale puts in.

He is 28, mature, well liked across the NRL, became married in the off-season and is settled in life.

Having the right balance in your career and life is essential when selecting a leader.

Nightingale is one of my favourite players to watch.

As a Dragons fan and as a footy lover, many people I know in footy, who follow other clubs, remark to me how much they admire Nightingale's skills, consistency and effort each and every week.

Should Jason Nightingale be the next Dragons captain?