While several players in the NRL have until June 30 to perhaps reverse their decision on where they are playing next season, Dragons fans shouldn’t expect Test forward Trent Merrin to do a U-turn.
Merrin has stated categorically in recent weeks he won’t do a ‘‘backlfip’’ and decide to stay at the Dragons.
Merrin signed with Penrith for the 2016-17-18 seasons on March 2.
The 25-year-old NSW State of Origin forward recently told Fairfax Media he will honour his Panthers deal.
Sources within the Dragons Den have told the Leader Merrin is a man of his word and will be wearing Penrith colours next season.
‘‘He’s gone, Trent is definitely headed to Penrith,’’ a Dragons insider told me.
The Leader reported on December 2 last year that Merrin and his manager Wayne Beavis had formally rejected the Dragons’ 1.8 million, three-year contract offer.
Brisbane were in the hunt for Merrin along with Penrith.
While Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans has signed with the Gold Coast Titans and rumours persist he might change his mind before June 30 and stay a Sea Eagle, this won’t be the case for Merrin.
Panthers general manager Phil Gould was keen to get Merrin to the western club not only because of his playing ability but to help mentor promising young forwards in their ranks.
Under NRL rules players coming off contract who sign with a rival club have until June 30 to change their mind.
With Merrin packing his bags at the end of the season the Dragons have made overtures to veteran forward Jeremy Smith.
Smith is prepared to leave Newcastle and return to the Dragons in 2016.
Smith, 35, played with the club in 2009-10 and left to join Cronulla in 2011-12 before following coach Wayne Bennett to the Knights in 2013.
Smith was instrumental in the Dragons’ 2010 grand final under coach Bennett. He brought the steel in defence and granite-like attitude to the club.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor believes Smith can act as a mentor to the crop of good young forwards in the club and help guide them on and off the field.
Under the 10 player interchange rule, Smith’s role on the field can be used in 20 or 30 minute bursts.
Moves are afoot to slash the interchange rule from 10 to six but don’t expect this to happen until season 2017 if the coaches have their way.
Newcastle are prepared to grant Smith a release from the final year of his contract. The Sydney Roosters are also keen to entice Smith for 2016 but I am reliably informed money they offered was ‘‘chicken feed’’ and he said ‘‘no thanks’’.
Should veteran forward Jeremy Smith be signed as replacement for Merrin?
