St George Illawarra have confirmed its pre-season training contract squad as the Dragons' preparations for the upcoming 2022 season continue.
The youthful and talented group include local juniors Josh Coric, Connor Muhleisen and Jackson Shereb in addition to long-term Dragons lower grader Bailey Antrobus and experienced front-rower Michael Molo.
Former Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks playmaker Jack Williams signed a Dragons training contract at the beginning of pre-season but has since concluded his time with the club.
"Collectively this group will gain an understanding of what it takes to train in a full-time environment which will help push them to the next level," Dragons general manager of football Ben Haran said.
"The local juniors have played a lot together and with some others already established in our NRL squad. To see that clear pathway to the NRL will only challenge them to improve.
"Molo is another who has created his own path and now has the opportunity to train full-time. He's a great prospect and comes well prepared to handle the demands of pre-season training."
Coric, Muhleisen and Shereb sees the number of players from the triumphant 2019 Illawarra Steelers SG Ball team currently training with the Dragons' NRL squad to eight.
Imposing forward Coric has been in the Dragons' list management planning for some time. The Albion Park junior participated in the club's 2021 NRL pre-season and is currently slated to progress into the development squad in 2023.
Shereb, a powerful back-rower, has been on the Dragons' radar for a number of years. The 19-year-old captained the Illawarra Steelers SG Ball side in 2021 and was rewarded with five appearances in the Knock Out Effect Cup. Like Coric, Shereb will join the Dragons' development squad in 2023.
Talented hooker Muhleisen participated in the club's 2021 pre-season before returning to the Jersey Flegg and KOE Cup competitions. The 20-year-old captained the Illawarra Steelers' SG ball side in parts throughout their successful 2019 campaign.
Antrobus and Molo round out the Dragons' training contract squad, each boasting experience in the state competitions.
Molo, brother of 2022 NRL recruit Francis, made 38 appearances in the Intrust Super Cup for the premiership-winning Norths Devils, where he was also named the 2021 Duncan Hall Medallist as the competition's best and fairest player.
At 21 years old, back-rower Antrobus has played eight KOE Cup matches despite also being eligible to play in the Jersey Flegg competition. Impressively, Antrobus is a member of Wales' train-on squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.
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