Kade Reed’s Debut and the Challenges of NRL
Kade Reed made his debut for St George Illawarra in a 62-16 loss to the Roosters on Anzac Day. It was the first time many fans saw the club’s promising halfback, and it quickly became clear that he wasn’t carrying the same weight as most players in the NRL. When asked about his weight, Reed said, “Seventy-eight kilos, 79.” He acknowledged that he needs to work on gaining weight and improving his defensive techniques to keep up with the competition.
Reed’s debut came at a challenging time, as the Dragons suffered a record defeat on Anzac Day. Despite this, interim coach Dean Young has already named Reed as the starting halfback for the next match against Newcastle. Reed expressed confidence in his performance, saying that he felt he belonged at the NRL level after his first 80 minutes. However, he admitted there were areas he needed to improve on both sides of the ball.
One of Reed’s standout moments came early in the game when he delivered a 30-metre double cut-out pass to Matt Feagai, which would have resulted in a try if not for a minor knock-on by teammate Tyrell Sloan. Reed admitted he didn’t see the mistake at the time, but he remained focused on his overall performance.
Reed’s debut also meant that Kyle Flanagan was dropped from the team. The two had a good relationship, and Reed said there were no hard feelings between them. “Me and Kyle have always had a really good relationship, and we still do,” he said.
Scott Drinkwater’s Decision to Join the Dragons
Scott Drinkwater, a fullback for the North Queensland Cowboys, recently signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons. His decision was influenced by his relationship with interim coach Dean Young, whom he worked with during his time in Townsville. Drinkwater said, “He was very important, I spoke to him a couple of times.”
He also mentioned that the opportunity to reunite with former teammate Valentine Holmes and conversations with Dragons chief executive Tim Watsford played a role in his decision. Despite the Dragons’ recent struggles, Drinkwater remains focused on his future with the Cowboys.
Jacob Preston’s Painful Journey
Canterbury’s Jacob Preston has been playing with painkilling injections in both AC shoulder joints since the start of the season. He is preparing to shift to the left side of the field to cover injured teammate Viliame Kikau. Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton praised Preston’s toughness, noting that he had been needling both shoulders before games.
Crichton said, “A lot of people talk about my AC, but ‘Presto’ is really tough. He’s got two ACs, two guards, two needles before games. I think he did the first one in round one, then the second one in round two, and ever since he’s been [needling] both. It’s a credit to him how tough he is.”
Valentine Holmes’ Performance and Reflection
Valentine Holmes, the Dragons’ highest-paid player, admitted there were “no excuses” for his poor performance in a recent game against Latrell Mitchell. He acknowledged that he needs to repay the faith shown by interim coach Dean Young. Holmes said, “It was very poor, obviously I’m very grateful I got the opportunity to redeem myself as much as I could.”
Despite some improvements in his performance, the Dragons continued their losing streak, which has extended to 12 games. Holmes admitted he wasn’t perfect and recognized the need to improve his form.
Melbourne Storm’s Struggles and Hope for Recovery
Melbourne Storm faced a heavy 48-6 loss to South Sydney, marking their worst defeat at AAMI Park. Coach Craig Bellamy expressed frustration, and the team is now looking to recover from a poor start to the season. Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp said the Panthers’ turnaround last season provided inspiration.
“We can take heart from what Penrith did, but at the same time there’s a lot of hard work ahead of us if we want to follow the same trajectory,” Tripp said. He emphasized the importance of hard work and unity within the club.
