By Rachael Price
St George Illawarra Dragons winger Dane Nielsen confesses learning off Head Coach Paul McGregor was one factor behind joining the Red V ahead of next season.
The Indigenous All-Star, who joined the Dragons one a two-year contract, is excited to be linking-up with his new teammates as well as being educated by a former Australia international centre.
The 29-year-old is loving the change of scenery his childhoold Club has to offer and is looking forward to finding the best local fishing spots during his time off.
“It’s been awesome to finally get pen to paper and get the contract with the Dragons,” said Nielsen.
“I’ve been training here for a bit; the boys have been really welcoming and the staff have been supportive.
“I was a Dragons supporter when I was a kid so I’m really excited to play here, but my family is probably more excited about it than me.
“My goal is to have a good preseason, it’s been delayed a little bit but I want to make up for the last few weeks that I’ve missed and learn as much as I can.
“It’ll be great to learn from Mary who was a former centre and work with him on my form, I’m going to work hard for a spot in the seventeen for round one.
“Mary as Head Coach here at the Dragons was a big factor in my decision to come here; he’s played at the top level and played for state.
“I want to get back to playing my best footy and I believe I can do that training under Mary.
“The pre-season is a hard slog; we have the best job in the world but the preseason is the main test in football.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge and hopefully I can stay fit and healthy and get selected first game next season.
“Outside of footy I like to go fishing and be around the water, it’s a bit hard to do that during preseason but whenever I get a spare chance I like to go.
“I’m looking forward to playing alongside Gareth Widdop; he’s had a great season in his first year with the Dragons and I played a number of years outside Gareth at the Storm.”
