St George Illawarra has lost Trent Merrin to Penrith for three years from 2016, and now the No.1 priority is to keep veterans such as captain Ben Creagh and Jason Nightingale in the Dragons’ den.
Penrith, New Zealand Warriors and Sydney Roosters had chased Merrin, and in the end Panthers general manager Phil Gould got the man he wanted.
Skipper Creagh and Nightingale wanted to be one-club men.
Creagh, 30, made his NRL debut in 2003 and has played 246 games.
Nightingale, 28, debuted in 2007, and has played 179 games and 22 Tests for New Zealand.
‘‘I would be very disappointed if I wasn’t able to get another season at the club,’’ Creagh has told Fairfax Media.
‘‘In saying that, as long as I’m playing good footy at the start of the year hopefully I’ll get another opportunity for next year.
‘‘If not, that’s life. I would love to keep playing for a couple more years.’’
The Dragons have released internationals Brett Morris (Canterbury) and Gerard Beale (Cronulla), and are loath to let Creagh and Nightingale go.
The Leader understands premiers Souths have been keen to sign Nightingale, but his loyalty to the Dragons is cast in stone.
He recently married, and bought a home in Sutherland Shire.
Merrin, Creagh and Nightingale are the three remaining players from the Dragons 2010 grand final 17-man squad that played in the 32-8 win over Sydney Roosters.
Nightingale had scored two tries in the grand final win.
Dragons director of recruitment and retention Peter Mulholland is responsible for the club’s playing roster.
Cronulla Sharks are still waiting for a decision from Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans on their contract offer.
