Bennett: Bring Back Barrett!

let's hope we see this image again in 2009

As a St George Illawarra Dragons fan I am excited about the arrival of the League’s most successful coach in the modern era, Wayne Bennett.

With his signature I hope that Trent Barrett follows and does not sign with arch enemies, The Sharks. Barrett was the Dragons and a foundation member of the merged club whose homecoming would lift the spirits of the depleted club.

Barrett was a loyal custodian for the Dragons and in turn they allowed him to walk prematurely to a play in the UK Super League. Since his departure in 2006 the Dragons have struggled but his experience around the halves is needed and under the guidance of Bennett the Dragons could deliver the premiership by 2010.

Rumours are rife since Bennett was signed to the Dragons linking most quality players with the Dragons. Darius Boyd, Ben Hannett, Michael Ennis and David Stagg have been mentioned as possible Broncos that may make the move to the Dragons with their coach.

Luke Rooney, Michael Weyman, David Shillington, Brett Kimmorley, Jeremy Smith have all been reported as possible Dragons recruits for 2009. It is positive and it is necessary because the current roster is not delivering and there are weak links that will be exposed and deposited with before Bennett arrives.

I don’t believe the Dragons need a ‘Brian Smith’ Newcastle job done to the squad but a shake up is required. It is a shame that a young star like Josh Morris has been lost to the Bulldogs at the possible expense of keeping Matt Cooper.

Jason Ryles has been rumoured to be leaving the Red V whom he co-captained in 2007 whilst the futures of Jamie Soward and Rangi Chase don’t look certain.

Simon Wooldford looks certain to get the axe and the chances of retaining Jarrod Saffy, Kirk Reynoldson and Beau Scott do not look promising.

Bennett will look to rebuild the halves which he hopes will be lead by Barrett and Ben Hornby and the forwards will be directed by Ben Creagh and Dean Young should Ryles leave the club.

With all the rumours it does not look like the Dragons will sign all the players off contract listed above but a lot will depend on whether they sign Trent Barrett and re-sign Matt Cooper. Should that occur then a lot of the Dragons funds will be tied up forcing players to be released from contracts or inexperience in the forwards.

I for one would prefer to see Barrett signed over Cooper and then the Dragons could sign a Darius Boyd or Luke Rooney for the centres or even keep Jamie Soward in the halves and move Ben Hornby to full back with Brett Morris, Mark Gasnier, Chase Stanley and Jason Nightingale in the backs.

Saving money on Cooper’s contract would allow the Dragons to sign some much needed forward power should they lose Jason Ryles then their ability to sign Michael Ennis, Ben Hannatt and Michael Weyman who would be my picks could be made possible.

So what would I like to see at the Wayne Bennett coached Dragons?

1. Brett Morris
2. Jason Nightingale
3. Mark Gasnier
4. Chase Stanley
5. Darius Boyd*
6. Trent Barrett*
7. Ben Hornby
8. Michael Weyman*
9. Michael Ennis*
10.Ben Hannatt*
11.Ben Creagh
12.Dean Young
13.Lagi Setu

14.Wendell Sailor
15.Jamie Soward
16.Dan Hunt
17.Justin Poore

AXED:
Jason Ryles
Beau Scott
Ben Ellis
Simon Woolford
Kirk Reynoldson
Jarrod Saffy