Western Suburbs Red Devils junior and Dragons Academy graduate Kade Reed will become St George Illawarra Dragon No.295 when he makes his NRL debut this Anzac Day.
It was revealed on Tuesday afternoon that the 20-year-old has been named in the No.7 jersey for Saturday afternoon’s blockbuster at Allianz Stadium.
In what has proven an emotional and eventful period, the continual improvement and development of the club’s crop of rising stars has proven a proud beacon.
Atop the list of those deemed up next sat Reed – a studious and daring halfback bred in the club’s very own backyard.
Reed’s footballing journey began on the fields of Figtree with the Western Suburbs Red Devils – an Illawarra institution responsible for developing some of the sport’s royalty.
It’s a journey which has seen him spend time as a ballboy for the Illawarra Cutters, win a first-grade title with the Red Devils, lead the Illawarra Steelers to an SG Ball postseason and represent the NSWCHS side at the Australian Championships.
“Footy was everything we’ve ever done, so I was just born into it,” Reed said in an interview with the club in December of 2024.
“I’ve always been a massive footy fan, a massive Dragons fan.”
In three Knock-On Effect NSW Cup outings this year, he has scored two tries, assisted on five others, kicked 14 goals and run for 291 metres with nine tackle breaks.
Reed is set to become the seventh Dragons Academy graduate to debut for the club since the start of last year joining Hamish Stewart, Dylan Egan, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Nick Tsougranis, Hayden Buchanan and Jacob Halangahu.
