ST GEORGE Illawarra Dragons winger Jason Nightingale has played 192 NRL games in the Big Red V.
He has rushed over 85 tries, and played 25 Tests for New Zealand.
Before entering first grade in 2007, the international was on the pathway to the NRL through St George junior league club Renown United.
It's a club that has produced many champions and mighty players over the years.
Reg Gasnier, one of the four League original Immortals played there. His nephew Mark Gasnier, also wore Renown's green and white colours, fellow internationals Billy Smith, Johnny Greaves, all played with the Dragons.
Nightingale said he played many years with the club and loves getting back to Renown Park.
"I have been to many clubs presentations and functions and invited to come along which is something I enjoy," Nightingale, now 28 said.
"I have many fond memories playing for the club. I played with Renown from under-eights to under-10s, then I moved to New Zealand and when I came back I played with the club from under-13s again for a few more years."
Nightingale said Renown was very much a part of his life.
He said the club gave him an opportunity to play football which led to an NRL career with the Dragons.
"I lived at Oatley and Mortdale for quite a while and would walk down to Renown Park for training and home games," he said.
Nightingale was at Renown Park on Tuesday along with two fellow Renown United juniors and Dragons: Nathan Green and Australian schoolboy and under-20s player Jacob Host.
It was part of the club's community visits in which they send players to junior clubs in St George, giving the youngsters a chance to meet their idols.
DRAGONS
Josh Dugan, Jason Nightingale, Euan Aitken, Peter Mata’utia, Justin Hunt, Gareth Widdop, Benji Marshall, Leeson Ah Mau, Mitch Rein, Ben Creagh (c), Tyson Frizell, Joel Thompson. Interchange: Jack de Belin, Jake Marketo, Heath L’Estrange, Will Matthews, Drew Hutchison, Mark Ioane (two to be omitted).
■ The Dragons head to Napier in New Zealand to play the Melbourne Storm on Saturday at McLean Park.
Kick-off will be 5.30pm AEST.
The Dragons are ninth on 20 points — now two points outside the top eight after six straight losses.
■ In other player news, the Dragons have granted an early release to winger/centre Charly Runciman to join Widnes Vikings in the British Super League.
The club have signed Warriors forward Siliva Havili.
