Josh McCrone is set to win the race for the Dragons No.7 jersey, but it's not all bad news for youngster Jai Field.

Gareth Widdop, the other half of what was one of the game's most maligned halves pairings, knows it's time to lift.

The sheer size of the contract the halfback has signed at St George Illawarra has guaranteed he will be under intense scrutiny this season even before he joins the Dragons.

Robbie Farah is expected to be South Sydney's starting hooker for the much-anticipated round-one clash with his alma mater Wests Tigers on Friday week, but Damien Cook has rammed home the Rabbitohs' resources at No.9 with an eye-catching role in the club's Charity Shield romp.

Former Rabbitohs hooker Cameron McInnes knows how it feels to play behind a dominant forward pack.

The race for the Dragons No.7 jumper remains wide open with all four contenders for the spot alongside Gareth Widdop come round one turning in mixed performances in the Dragons 20-10 trial win over Wests Tigers at WIN Stadium on Saturday.

With 17 days remaining until the start of the 2017 NRL season, Michael Chammas looks at pre-season form and the big questions confronting your club.

Billionaire WIN Television boss Bruce Gordon has thrown his support behind an A-League team for Wollongong, indicating he would be prepared to invest in the expansion club.

Paul McGregor is fully aware he may not be employed at St George Illawarra long enough to coach Ben Hunt.

​St George Illawarra are embracing the heat on them and coach Paul McGregor, declaring they deserve any criticism that's coming their way.

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett will stand by Ben Hunt despite the halfback's rich five-year deal with NRL rivals St George Illawarra.

Premiership-winning halfback Brent Sherwin reckons Ben Hunt will take St George Illawarra to an NRL title, if he can handle the intense pressure of being the club's new marquee man.

St George Illawarra have confirmed the signing of Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt for the 2018 NRL season.

Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt has reportedly agreed to a big-money six-year NRL deal to join St George Illawarra for the 2018 season.

The Wests Tigers need to lock up their four biggest names who are off-contract at the end of 2017. And they've made a significant addition which could help them keep Aaron Woods, James Tedesco, Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks at the club.

In the absence of their Kangaroos stars, Jack de Belin had hoped to lead by example at St George Illawarra pre-season training.

St George-Illawarra will look internally before considering whether to make a play for Todd Carney, Chris Sandow or Jackson Hastings following young halfback Drew Hutchison's long-term knee injury.

St George Illawarra have been left reeling by a season-ending ACL injury to young halfback Drew Hutchison less than a week before the club breaks up for Christmas.

• EXCLUSIVE

Young gun Luciano Leilua has knocked back interest from rival clubs to re-commit to St George Illawarra on a lucrative two-year deal.