Aladinsane
New member
**Wayne Bennett's new boys in great shape**
By Tyson Otto From: The Daily Telegraph January 20, 2010 12:00AM
TUCKED underneath the old western stand as the sun hammers down on WIN Stadium, the nearby Pacific ocean an attractive proposition, three hulking men stand shoulder to shoulder in the red and white of the Dragons.
They all tell of the exhausting fitness training they've faced since joining coach Wayne Bennett's ranks, but the black thongs worn by all three suggests they're comfortable with their new lives in Wollongong.
Bennett has a knack for transforming unknown players into class performers and he is already at work moulding new recruits Michael Greenfield, Junior Paulo and Peni Tagive.
While former Tigers utility back Tagive, 21, was the only one to play first-grade matches last season, ex-Souths forward Greenfield, 24, and former Eel Paulo, 26, said they were happy with where they were at after the most intense pre-season of their lives.
"I've made a big improvement from when I first came here," Greenfield said. "I'm definitely fitter and I've learnt a lot of things from Wayne, especially in defence. Across the board he's been giving me pointers which has improved how I play."
The Dragons mentor has a proven record with developing players as he did in his first year at St George-Illawarra, with playmaker Jamie Soward and State of Origin second-rower Ben Creagh among the form players of the competition. While his latest signings are not quite household names, Bennett's simple tips and clear instructions have the three new Dragons hopeful of returning to first grade.
"I'd be happy to work my way in there," said Greenfield, who has played 24 top-grade games, most with the Rabbitohs. "The Dragon boys went well last year, so I'm going to have to be playing my best footy to get in the team."
Knee and neck injuries kept Greenfield out for the entire 2009 season. But countless hours in the WIN Stadium gym have the 110kg forward near full fitness and he looms as a formidable addition to the Dragons pack this season.
There is tight competition for starting spots in the Dragons line-up but Greenfield and Paulo are among a group of "four or five" players, including Jarrod Saffy and Jake Marketo, who could slot in for Parramatta signing Justin Poore.
**Tagive, who played eight first-grade games with the Tigers, faces a tough duel with Beau Scott to replace Melbourne Storm recruit Chase Stanley in the centres.\
\
The former Australian schoolboy prolific try-scorer said he was also near full fitness after suffering a shoulder injury last year.**
Despite the loss of Poore, the Dragons remain a powerful squad, with Tagive adamant the club is building toward a premiership to go with their 2009 minor title. "I have no doubt this club can win a title - Wayne said it himself," Tagive said.
And who is about to doubt the supercoach?
By Tyson Otto From: The Daily Telegraph January 20, 2010 12:00AM
TUCKED underneath the old western stand as the sun hammers down on WIN Stadium, the nearby Pacific ocean an attractive proposition, three hulking men stand shoulder to shoulder in the red and white of the Dragons.
They all tell of the exhausting fitness training they've faced since joining coach Wayne Bennett's ranks, but the black thongs worn by all three suggests they're comfortable with their new lives in Wollongong.
Bennett has a knack for transforming unknown players into class performers and he is already at work moulding new recruits Michael Greenfield, Junior Paulo and Peni Tagive.
While former Tigers utility back Tagive, 21, was the only one to play first-grade matches last season, ex-Souths forward Greenfield, 24, and former Eel Paulo, 26, said they were happy with where they were at after the most intense pre-season of their lives.
"I've made a big improvement from when I first came here," Greenfield said. "I'm definitely fitter and I've learnt a lot of things from Wayne, especially in defence. Across the board he's been giving me pointers which has improved how I play."
The Dragons mentor has a proven record with developing players as he did in his first year at St George-Illawarra, with playmaker Jamie Soward and State of Origin second-rower Ben Creagh among the form players of the competition. While his latest signings are not quite household names, Bennett's simple tips and clear instructions have the three new Dragons hopeful of returning to first grade.
"I'd be happy to work my way in there," said Greenfield, who has played 24 top-grade games, most with the Rabbitohs. "The Dragon boys went well last year, so I'm going to have to be playing my best footy to get in the team."
Knee and neck injuries kept Greenfield out for the entire 2009 season. But countless hours in the WIN Stadium gym have the 110kg forward near full fitness and he looms as a formidable addition to the Dragons pack this season.
There is tight competition for starting spots in the Dragons line-up but Greenfield and Paulo are among a group of "four or five" players, including Jarrod Saffy and Jake Marketo, who could slot in for Parramatta signing Justin Poore.
**Tagive, who played eight first-grade games with the Tigers, faces a tough duel with Beau Scott to replace Melbourne Storm recruit Chase Stanley in the centres.\
\
The former Australian schoolboy prolific try-scorer said he was also near full fitness after suffering a shoulder injury last year.**
Despite the loss of Poore, the Dragons remain a powerful squad, with Tagive adamant the club is building toward a premiership to go with their 2009 minor title. "I have no doubt this club can win a title - Wayne said it himself," Tagive said.
And who is about to doubt the supercoach?
