The St George Illawarra Dragons have confirmed that prop Rory O’Brien has agreed to terms on a two-and-a-half year contract that will see him officially join the Club until at least the end of 2016.
The local Hurstville United junior is presently contracted with the Illawarra Cutters and was previously part of the Dragons inaugural National Youth Competition team in 2008
O’Brien, 25, was last season named NSW Country Rugby League ‘Player of the Year’ before later being selected in the NSW Country Firsts team that toured South Africa.
“I am very happy to have agreed to terms to re-join the Dragons for the next couple of seasons and am very thankful to the Club and my Manager Liam Pride of Insight Sports Management for giving me this opportunity,” said O’Brien.
“I am a local junior and always hoped to be able to play NRL for the Dragons one day and I am really determined to make the most of this opportunity to train full-time and give myself every chance to one day earn a place in the first-grade team.”
Dragons Head Coach Paul McGregor indicated that O’Brien had earned the Dragons contract and is looking forward to having him as part of the Dragons full-time squad.
“Rory is a local junior who previously played within the Club’s junior grade in his younger days and has since remained playing rugby league within the lllawarra League with Collegians,” said McGregor.
“This season he earned a spot with the Illawarra Cutters where he has been a strong performer and the full-time training will enable him to further develop as a player.
“He has a good skillset which will add to the overall playing group at the Dragons and he will be a welcomed addition to our squad.”
O’Brien will commence training with the first-grade squad on Monday, June 30.
