Dragons’ Su’A addresses rumours of mid-season switch
George Clarke |
Jaydn Su’A will not seek a mid-season switch to Parramatta as he returns from the three-game NRL ban that signalled the beginning of the end of Shane Flanagan’s St George Illawarra tenure.
Su’A has been named to play centre against the Warriors on Saturday in his first outing since being sent off for a shoulder charge on Cameron Murray in a 30-12 round-seven loss to South Sydney.
That dismissal – proved to be Flanagan’s final match at the helm of the Dragons – came soon after Su’A, 28, had agreed to join the Eels on a three-year deal starting next season.
As one of the Dragons’ more-established names, the loss of Su’A to fellow strugglers Parramatta was another blow to Flanagan’s hopes of turning around the Dragons’ fortunes.
There has been speculation the injury-hit Eels would look to bring Su’A in ahead of schedule, but the Samoan international insists he wants to see out the year at the bottom-placed Dragons.
“You know when your time is done and for myself it was time to look elsewhere and for another opportunity,” Su’A said.
“At the end of the day, I’m here for the rest of the year and just want to go out there, and put my best foot forward.
“There’s been conversations in house but I’m here for the rest of the year and I just want to play my best and do whatever I can to help this club get some wins.
“I’m coming to that age now where the next move I make is probably vital, but I know I still have some good footy left in me.”
The Red V (0-10) remain winless in their three games under interim coach Dean Young but there were green shoots of a turnaround in their Magic Round-loss to Penrith.
“It’s been hard, I’ve been through a lot of dark days with this club,” said Su’A, who has not played finals during his time with the Dragons.
“You can see the light at the end of the tunnel but I know I’m not going to be here.”
Su’A said he spoke with Flanagan to express his regret at his send-off, the first in the NRL in nearly two years.
“It was sad to see him go and I had a conversation with him to thank him for everything he had done for me,” Su’A said.
“We had to move on pretty fast, rugby league doesn’t stop for anyone.”
AAP