Dragons friendless in NRL premiership market despite strong start

ST George Illawarra’s capitulation in their top of the table clash against Melbourne has seen the Dragons drift to $26 at Sportsbet in the NRL premiership market.

It was billed as the match of the round prior to the ANZAC test, but the Storm blew their rivals away, winning the match 34-22.

Incredibly, despite sitting second on the ladder heading into the break, the big red V $26 quote in the premiership market puts them on the 12th line of betting.

You know, at the start of the season if you said we’d be in second spot after nine rounds, I’d have laughed in your face. #NRLDragonsStorm

— The Bear (@26bear) April 30, 2017

The loss to the Storm was compounded by the injury to superstar Josh Dugan in the ANZAC test.

The former Raider suffered a fractured cheekbone against New Zealand at GIO Stadium in Canberra and will miss the next three rounds of football.

I think the comment “@Josh_Dugan is made of glass” is a bit ridiculous.. you have a head clash with Russell Packer & see what happens! #nrl

— Rugby League News (@RugbyLeagueNews) May 6, 2017

The Dragons anticipate Dugan will only miss the next two matches given a bye falls between their matches against the Sharks and the Warriors.

Kieran Foran set to leave the Warriors at the end of 2017

The fairytale return of Kieran Foran to the New Zealand Warriors is set to last just one year after the talented 26-year-old declared he will return to Sydney to be closer to his family.

The halfback is set to join Canterbury in 2018.

All this business about Kieran Foran playing for the Dogs in 2018.

That’s old news.

I want to know who he’ll be playing for in 2019..

— Dragons Supporters (@M_B_D_S) May 10, 2017

Bulldogs’ coach Des Hasler fronted the media on Wednesday to announce the news.

The Bulldogs’ front man said getting Foran in a sound frame of mind trumps any on-field advantage his side will gain from the Kiwi’s inclusion.

“The priorities Kieran’s shown are typical of his character, the way he’s been able to come back and get things back on track is admirable of him,” Hasler said.

“(Welfare has) obviously been a real focus and that’s one thing about the rugby league community – which should be highlighted – it was able to reach out.

“Mental health issues are very private, but Kieran knows he can reach out for help. Rugby league is well-supported by a lot of institutions that have worked very hard in that field, especially males.”

The move reunites Foran with the man that coached him at Manly at the beginning of his NRL career.

2 great signings for our great club! @NRL_Bulldogs looking forward to see @aaronwoods11 and Kieran Foran in blue and white next year! ✊?✊??? pic.twitter.com/3pxc0A7uGG

— Jebus (@zaccotterill93) May 10, 2017

The Foran move follows on from the news that star forward Aaron Woods will make the switch from the Tigers to the Dogs at the completion of this season.