‘Bite you in the arse’: Why Sami signed with Dragons
Joel Gould |
Gold Coast try scoring whiz Phillip Sami said he had “no second thoughts” about joining St George Illawarra next year despite the recent sacking of coach Shane Flanagan.
The 28-year-old signed a three-year deal to join the Red V from next year and his contract had no clauses linked to the future of former coach Flanagan, who he met with in the off-season before agreeing to terms .
He will join a Dragons squad already boosted by the recruitment of South Sydney prop Keaon Koloamatangi and North Queensland fullback Scott Drinkwater from next season.
Sami will play his 150th NRL match, all of which have been for the Titans, in Saturday afternoon’s home clash with Canberra.
The Titans rate Sami highly but the $1.25 million deal at the Dragons over three years was too good to refuse. Sami said the Titans “weren’t in a position” to match it but he was not bitter.
“I have a family to look after at home with three kids that I need to provide for. They (the Dragons) have given me security,” Sami said.
“I didn’t want to pass up an opportunity. You know what this game is like. You can get hurt and may not have anything. It can come back and bite you in the arse so I had to put my family first and that is what I did.
“I definitely thought I would be a one-club player here … but the change will be good for me and I am looking forward to getting to the Dragons and starting a new journey.”
Gold Coast recruited Sami out of Ipswich State High and he has been a regular and valued contributor.
“The Titans have given me everything,” he said.
“I have been here for 10 years and I’m very grateful they have given me a home to play NRL. It is sad that it is coming to an end but that is life.
“I am going to play my 100th home game here at CBUS (Stadium) and to do it in my 150th is pretty cool. I cant wait.”
Sami has scored 74 NRL tries for the Titans and is just 11 away from the club’s all-time mark set by cult hero Anthony Don.
“It is not my main priority but it would be pretty cool to get The Don,” Sami said of the record.
“My focus is on the 2026 season. I want to go out on a good note.”
AAP