Jack Chicken expects to be at St George Illawarra subsequent season, regardless of being granted permission to talk with rival golf equipment.
Chicken performed simply his second NRL recreation in shut to a few months on Sunday, filling in at five-eighth within the Dragons’ essential 32-16 win over Gold Coast.
A mainstay of the Dragons’ backline over the opening phases of the season, the 29-year-old has struggled to get again into first grade after a minor ankle damage.
That prompted the previous Dally M Rookie of the 12 months to hunt permission to look elsewhere, with a yr nonetheless to run on his contract on the Dragons.
However, talking for the primary time since being granted approval to take action, Chicken mentioned he anticipated to be on the Dragons in 2025.
“I’ll extra possible be right here subsequent yr. Clearly in soccer rather a lot can occur in per week. However I’m specializing in this staff and me being right here subsequent yr,” Chicken mentioned.
“I’ve bought one other contract right here subsequent yr.
“Clearly they’ve given me permission, however nothing is completed. I’m nonetheless right here subsequent yr, my focus remains to be on the membership.
“I haven’t spoken to another golf equipment, that was simply to get an excellent really feel to see who’s on the market. However I’m nonetheless 100 per cent dedicated to this staff and membership.”
Chicken can also be adamant he isn’t nearing the tip of his profession after 10 seasons within the NRL.
“I’m solely 29, so I nonetheless assume I’ve one other 4 good years in me if the physique holds up. And it’s going properly in the mean time,” Chicken mentioned.
“Clearly it’s all the time arduous not enjoying in first grade (for the previous few months). However that’s footy, that’s the enterprise.
“It’s a must to prepare arduous, you must play good and attempt to make your approach again in. No place is given to you.
“The previous couple of weeks I’ve been enjoying NSW Cup, we’ve had a number of wins and I’ve actually loved it again there. It’s step-by-step, nothing wanting too far forward.”
Jack Chicken was match and firing for the Dragons in Mudgee. (Photograph by Mark Evans/Getty Pictures)
Chicken will possible have the possibility to stay within the NRL for the ultimate three weeks of the common season, deputising for the suspended Kyle Flanagan at five-eighth.
The Dragons play Cronulla on Sunday in Wollongong, and have their future in their very own palms whereas again in eighth spot on the ladder.
Chicken has not performed No.6 since early 2022, however mentioned he had been given a command to not overplay his hand whereas within the halves.
“If I’m there once more, it’ll simply be about retaining it easy, doing what I have to do and never attempt an excessive amount of,” Chicken mentioned.
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Atkinson takes blame for blocker bungle
Daniel Atkinson has personally taken the blame for Cronulla being denied a probably match-winning area aim towards Newcastle, saying referees have been proper to penalise the Sharks for unlawful blockers.
Each Atkinson and Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga had profitable area targets rubbed out in the course of the closing minutes of the Sharks’ win on Sunday after their teammates have been dominated to have prevented the defence from making a transparent run in the direction of the ball.
Referee Gerard Sutton cited Newcastle’s Mat Croker and Adam Elliott, after which Sharks forwards Cam McInnes and Royce Hunt, as obstructing the defence within the lead-up to the would-be one-pointers.
Throughout the pre-season, the NRL despatched golf equipment a memorandum that reiterated this rule, which states: “A penalty could also be awarded if a participant(s) takes up a place close to the play-the-ball … (or) stands within the defensive position, or in entrance of the play-the-ball, and within the opinion of the referee, obstructs a defender(s), no matter whether or not there’s bodily contact.”
Atkinson slotted a area aim in further time to win the sport and certain finish Newcastle’s finals hopes, however Knights coach Adam O’Brien believed his staff’s area aim ought to have been awarded earlier.
“I assumed their’s (Atkinson’s) was a area aim as properly,” O’Brien mentioned after the 19-18 loss at Shark Park.
“However Graham (Annesley, NRL head of soccer) will discover a technique to gown it up.”
Ponga shared O’Brien’s frustrations after a loss which leaves the Knights unable to complete the season with a successful report, and counting on a slew of different outcomes to make the highest eight.
“I agree with ‘Adsie’ (O’Brien). I don’t have many phrases, I’m fairly dissatisfied with the outcome,” the captain mentioned.
However Atkinson may perceive the choice to disclaim the Sharks their area aim, admitting he had known as for the ball on the improper time.
After having one other area aim try charged down moments earlier, Atkinson mentioned he had turn out to be set off completely happy and forgot to make sure his teammates had cleared his path for a area aim.
“It was simply dumb by me, to be trustworthy,” he mentioned.
“I had blockers there, I simply bought excited as a result of it was a fast play-the-ball. It was a good name (from the referee).
“It didn’t rattle me. It was in all probability simply extra, ‘I shouldn’t have taken that’.”
The following match-winner was the most recent triumph for Atkinson in a breakout season on the injury-hit Sharks.
Atkinson had performed just one recreation from the bench – for Melbourne in 2022 – previous to rising as understudy for Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes throughout 14 video games this yr.
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Cronulla have gained 9 of 12 video games when Atkinson has began within the halves.
AAP understands the Sharks have put aside funds to re-sign Atkinson past his present contract however are presently prioritising negotiations with in-form ahead Jack Williams.
Williams is and not using a deal past 2024 however Atkinson holds a contract for one more season, although may possible command larger cash elsewhere.
“I haven’t even considered (my future) to be trustworthy. I’m nonetheless attempting to remain on this staff week in, week out,” Atkinson mentioned. “I really like being right here, love the Sharks.”
with AAP
