Jamie Soward says he’ll do anything to stay at St George Illawarra beyond this season.
The former NSW playmaker produced a fine performance for the Dragons, kicking two goals, a crucial field goal on the halftime siren and set up Jason Nightingale for a second-half try in his side’s 19-16 win over Newcastle on Sunday.
Soward moved to fullback for the last half-hour of the game after Gerard Beale injured his left knee trying to prevent a Darius Boyd try and didn’t look out of place at WIN Jubilee Oval.
The 28-year-old last played in the custodian role in 2006 for Sydney Roosters and said he’d have no problem doing it again against Wests Tigers next Sunday at the SCG having made the on-field decision to switch, allowing rookie half Josh Drinkwater to make his NRL debut.
“I enjoyed going back there and I’d play there again, I had to make less tackles,” Soward said.
“I can also play nine, front row, wherever, just to try and help the team out.
“When Gerard went down I said `get me back there, get Josh on’.
“It was easier to put me back there than switch everything around.
“I think Pricey was thinking it, but I sent the trainer back to ask him so not to cut him out of the loop.”
Soward’s current deal expires at the end of the year and he’s unsure if the club are willing to extend his six-year stint, with his manager Sam Ayoub still yet to thrash out an agreement.
“I am under no illusions, I am off contract and need to have a big year,” he said.
“Hopefully something is sorted sooner rather than later so I can sort out my future.
“But at the moment I am busy planning a wedding and that takes up most of my time at home.”
Soward also believes if he stays he can play a role in helping to nurture the Dragons up and coming stars.
“I’d love to stay, but I understand the club’s position,”
“They have Kyle Stanley coming back next season, Josh Drinkwater is an up and coming player.
“The club need to look after themselves and I know that. I’d love to stay and I think I offer good support for the young blokes.
“I like to think I can do a job.”
Beale is set to have scans on his knee this week and left the ground on crutches.
In Sunday’s early game in Auckland, a second-half George Burgess try earned South Sydney a thrilling 24-22 win over the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium.
It was the Rabbitohs’ fifth straight win and maintained their best start to a season since 1971 – which was the last time they won the premiership.
The performance of the Warriors was much improved but still consigned them to a fourth defeat in five games.
Soc the Dragon
Guest
You need to undersatnd what you are talking about before making points, did you even read the above article as listed below The 28-year-old last played in the custodian role in 2006 for Sydney Roosters and said he’d have no problem doing it again against Wests Tigers next Sunday at the SCG having made the on-field decision to switch, allowing rookie half Josh Drinkwater to make his NRL debut. “I enjoyed going back there and I’d play there again, I had to make less tackles,” Soward said. Reference to Goud and Sterlo relates to the fact they comment on how dangerous it is to let a ball bounce rather than catch it on the full in the face of oncoming opposition. I was hoping for more in your reply but since I completely understand now that facts are irrelevant to you this conversation is boring and over.
Bazzio
Roar Guru
More unadulterated nonsense 1. Soward is NOT a fullback, has NEVER played fullback, does not train or play as fullback. Therefore he cannot be judged as a fullback. 2. Soward was filling in for 30 minutes @ fullback ~ refer to last year's debacle with Morris or Nightingale @ fullback, Soward defending the wing = truck loads of points against, very few for. 3. Using Gould or Sterlo as a point of reference is a sure sign of ignorance 4. All of your years supposedly playing have obviously been in your dreams 5. An intelligent person would be inclined to know what they are talking about prior to accusations of grandiloquent self-referencing ~ http://www.theroar.com.au/author-levels-descriptions/
Soc the Dragon
Guest
Yeah Soward is a defensive genius that's why no one can get past him and he never lets tries through like the one in the Canberra match last year. You do watch other fullbacks don't you, have you noticed how they need to jump to catch the football to stop opposition players regathering and scoring especially when so close to the line. You do also understand that it is the fullbacks job first and foremost as the last line of defence to ensure opposition players are stopped and bombs difused? You might also understand that it is easier for a forward facing player to catch a bomb than someone coming in from the side or with their back to the play, but what would I know having played the game for years and watching two to three games per week. Your opening sentence says it all why the hell would you have the smallest guy on the field at fullback, Sandow should swap with Hayne because he can communicate with other players and that will work a treat. Pure genius you should be Prices assistant. It's funny I can't remember Sterlo or Gould saying the fullback should let the ball bounce because all the players are communicating and that's the best way to handle bombs. No emotion just factual. Give praise where praise is due or just shut the hell up and pretend that if nothing is said everything must be allright. I have always had reservations about anybody that refers to themselves as a Guru apart from Eric Grothe.
Bazzio
Roar Guru
Nonsense ~ the smallest guy on the field has no way of contesting a ball in the air, nor is the smallest guy on the field supposed to play anywhere near like a defensive back-row forward. I assume that you are aware that teams communicate in defence ~ In the instance of 'that bomb' ~ the call from the half dozen or so Dragons players around Soward in the drop area may well have been "leave it" or "we got it covered". Assumptions made from sheeple on lounge chairs are never factual, always emotional, invariably critical.
Soc the Dragon
Guest
Did anyone see Soward backing away when he was supposed to handle a bomb and what is with the comment "I like it back here because you don't have to tackle as much". Soward needs to move on, he might fire at another club. To much damage through too many poor performances at the Dragons for him to stay.
Planko
Guest
Great if it means Drinkwater getting on the field and keeping soward on for his kicking game. Price do it
Planko
Guest
Great if it means Drinkwater getting on the field and keeping soward on for his kicking game.
The Barry
Roar Guru
good place for him...
scott
Guest
+1 Hope he stays
Bazzio
Roar Guru
A rare and selfless move by Jamie Soward ~ well done mate! That's what team spirit is, and team spirit wins every time. Takes me back to the "good old days" when players cared about each other & the team more than the skimpy money.