St George Illawarra Dragons flyers Kiti Glymin and Kalifa Faifai Loa are ready to “rip in” and are excited for the 2016 season with both players eager to impress in the pre-season to earn a place in the team when the season kicks off.
Glymin, 22, earned his NRL debut in round 17 against the North Queensland Cowboys at WIN Stadium last season but was unable to finish the game when he suffered a severe hamstring tear that ruled him out for just about the rest of the season.
The local junior from Arncliffe Scots had dreamed of the day he would make his NRL debut but never thought that it would end in injury.
“As you grow up you always dream of playing in the NRL and it was awesome to get that chance, just so disappointing and frustrating for it to end the way it did,” said Glymin.
“I am really determined to work hard in the pre-season and try and earn another opportunity to play NRL and hopefully get to wear this jersey on the field, not just for photos!”
Another to debut in the NRL at the Dragons is the returning outside back, Faifai Loa. The New Zealand Junior joined the Dragons in 2009 at 19 years of age and made his NRL debut against Canberra in Round 11 of the 2010 Premiership winning season.
Now 25, Faifai Loa returns to the Dragons having been at the North Queensland Cowboys (2011-2013) and the Gold Coast Titans (2014-15).
“I am really excited to be back at the Dragons, I have great memories from my time here previously and am really looking to forward to meeting all the boys and learning from all the Coaching Staff,” said Fai Fai Loa.
Pictured in the Dragons Auckland Nines jersey, the New Zealand native is hopeful that he will get the chance to play in the Auckland Nines in 2016.
“I had the chance to play in the Nines with the Titans and it was an awesome experience,” said Fai Fai Loa. “The decision will be up to the Coaching Staff, but I will be working hard in the pre-season and hope to get the opportunity to take part in this great event and it is always nice to play back home in New Zealand”.
The new look jersey range comes as the Dragons Team Store launch a revamped online shop that for the first time will carry the exact same range as the store in Kogarah.
The entire ISC range will be revealed in the coming weeks and the first shipment of 2016 ISC gear is due in store and online from the 15th of November.
Click Here To See The 2016 Alternate Jersey
Click Here To See The New Look Online Store
Click Here To Purchase Your Red V Membership And March With Us In 2016!