Jayden Sullivan has received the race for the St George Illawarra No.6 jersey with Jack Chook confirming he’ll begin the season at lock.
The Dragons’ five-eighth function has change into the poisoned chalice of the NRL pre-season, with three gamers holding the rights to the place up to now three months.
Incumbent Tyrell Amone was set to start out the season at No.6, earlier than he was charged with assault and stood down underneath the NRL’s no-fault coverage.
Sullivan was anticipated to fill the void earlier than Chook emerged because the eventual front-runner, along with his expertise an enormous plus for coach Anthony Griffin.
Nonetheless, that scenario modified dramatically when each have been damage within the area of two weeks, with Sullivan sidelined by a hamstring harm and Chook a knee operation.
Sullivan returned for the Charity Defend the place he impressed for the Dragons coming off the bench, whereas he’s additionally recognized to have happy Griffin along with his coaching.
That has been sufficient for Griffin to determine to companion him with Hunt when the Dragons play Gold Coast after their round-one bye, with Chook on monitor to be match to play lock.
“I skilled at five-eighth, then I damage my knee and received dropped from there earlier than I even performed a recreation,” Chook quipped.
“I believe I will be in 13. Hopefully that is the place I am going to keep the entire season.
“I’m nice with that decision. I knew it was solely going to be non permanent at five-eighth. I did not anticipate to play there the entire season.
“I clearly need readability round what place I’ll play. I used to be saying to Hook (Griffin) I do not wish to go there for 3 weeks after which rapidly transfer again to lock.
“I might reasonably keep in a single place and try to be the very best in that one place I could be.”
Sullivan’s effort to shore up the No.6 jersey comes after he requested a launch from the membership on the finish of final season, earlier than being satisfied to remain.
On the time, and earlier than Amone’s off-field dramas, he informed AAP he had been offered a long-term path to a halves spot on the Dragons.
That door has now opened up far faster than anticipated for the 21-year-old.
It additionally means Hunt would be the solely surviving member of their backbone from final season, with Tyrell Sloan at fullback and Jacob Liddle hooker.
Regardless, Hunt insisted cohesion wouldn’t be a difficulty early and mentioned it was necessary the Dragons continued with the mixture long-term.
“If we are able to maintain that backbone collectively for so long as attainable, I believe will probably be actually good for us,” he mentioned.
