2017 Auckland 9s - New Faces - St George Illawarra Dragons

Like Trent Barrett at Manly, St George Illawarra Dragons mentor-in-chief Paul McGregor has left some established first graders at home giving new players and rising stars a chance to show their ability on the bigger stage.   

26 year old Illawarra Cutters' outside back Levi Dodd was added to the St George NRL squad for 2017 after his outstanding year as a member of the Premiership winning Illawarra Cutters Team.  In the first month of 2016 he started on the bench but by Round 7 he had become a permanent member of the backline and over the next 20 weeks he scored 16 tries and kicked 21 goals as back up kicker for the team.  At 90kg Levi Dodd is a line breaker and dominant right hand centre / winger who will pressure the Dragon incumbents.

Shaun Nona is a tough defensive 5/8 with great lateral vision. He is a first class goal kicker and a real asset to any backline.  Along with Drew Hutchison he combined to create the most potent halves pair in the Intrust Super Premiership.  At 26 he has already played professionally in Cairns, Melbourne and the Illawarra.  St George added him to their 2017 NRL Squad after he had already agreed to go home to Nth Queensland.   Auckland is a chance to show management that he has the ability to leap-frog Benji Marshall and the unlucky Hutchison in the race to partner Ben Hunt in 2018.   

Matt Dufty played fullback in last years' Dragons U-20s team. He scored 23 tries and carried the ball for an amazing 3300 metres in 22 matches.  He also played 2 matches as custodian for the Cutters Intrust Premiership Team.   He has pace and a step and his numbers speak for themselves. Nona and Dodd have a wealth of experience. Dufty has youth and a no fear attitude that gives fans the excitement and unpredictability in attack, that drives up the numbers at home and away.

NRL Auckland Nines squads

NRL Auckland Nines schedule (AEDT)