Dragons to trial Russell

The National Sports

By PARKER TAMBUA
PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls forward Dan Russell is eyeing a fulltime National Rugby League (NRL) contract with St George Illawarra Dragons in 2023 after the club signed him on a pre-season train-and-trial contract.
The 26-year-old has done pre-seasons with North Queensland Cowboys and Melbourne Storm in 2020 and 2021 but did not make it into the respective first grade sides.
After spending a couple of seasons with the Brisbane Tigers in the Hostplus Cup and with his impressive form for the Kumuls’ Pacific Test and Word Cup campaigns, the Dragons have reached out to Russell through former assistant coach Shane Flanagan, who is also the Kumuls coaching director.
Russell told The National yesterday that he knew what an NRL side would require in order to get a fulltime contract as he had been through the process before.
“I am very happy with another crack in the NRL system,” Russell said.
“It was my goal at the start of this season so to achieve that is very special.
“I was told a few weeks after our (Kumuls) mid-year test against FIJI. I got it through Shane Flanagan as he was a part of our coaching staff so I’m very grateful for the opportunity.
“Having done a few NRL preseasons before I definitely know what I need to do to put my best foot forward to stay at the Dragons. Definitely looking forward to grabbing this opportunity with both hands.
“My immediate goal now is to get signed up and stay with the Dragons. I have a review in February so that’s definitely the goal. It’s a huge opportunity and I can’t wait to get stuck in when getting back to Australia.”
Russell is still in the United Kingdom doing site seeing following the Kumuls World Cup exit with loss to England in the quarterfinal last week.
He said the World Cup experience would also help his performances at club level going forward.
“The World Cup with the Kumuls has made me realise that I can definitely play at that level week in, week out. I learned a lot from our four games and to prepare well with short turn arounds.
“I am still in UK doing some traveling at the moment but I will leave for Australia on Nov 17 and will head straight to preseason training soon after.”
Meanwhile Kumuls’ Pacific Test hooker Liam Horne has also been invited by Brisbane Broncos for a preseason train-and-trial deal.
Horne was instrumental in guiding the Norths Devils to a Hostplus Cup premiership this season. Horne also featured for the Devils in the Inter-State Championship this year.

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