Blacklock re-signs with Dragons for
two years

Try-scoring machine Nathan Blacklock has today re-signed with the Dragons for 2004 and 2005 on the eve of his record-equalling 100th NRL game for St George Illawarra.

Blacklock, who has scored 13 tries in 10 games since returning to rugby league, turned down a larger offer from Parramatta because he is “happy” at the Dragons.

Blacklock's manager Shaun Martyn said: “Nathan considered only one other offer - from Parramatta - which was more than the Dragons offer.

“He weighed it up but the number one priority is that he's going to play best where he's happiest,” Martyn said.

“Obviously he would have liked the Dragons to have offered what Parramatta did … but we can make that up in other ways.”

Blacklock said his return to the Dragons three months ago was the best decision he had made.

“I love being back here,” Blacklock said. “I'm very happy and I couldn't imagine being this happy anywhere else.

“I like where the club is heading and I like playing under Brownie (coach Nathan Brown). His coaching suits my style of play.”

Dragons Chief Executive Officer Peter Doust said he was thrilled to have extended Blacklock's relationship with the club, just three weeks after signing Mark Gasnier, Shaun Timmins and Lance Thompson until 2006.

“Tries, tries, tries … we will enjoy them all,” Doust said in congratulating and thanking Blacklock for his commitment to the Dragons for the right reasons.

Blacklock will become the second player behind injured captain Trent Barrett to play 100 NRL games for St George Illawarra when they play the Storm at WIN Stadium tomorrow night.

As Barrett has not played since his 100th game, Blacklock will become the most capped Dragons player next week against the Knights at Oki Jubilee Stadium where he will be presented a 9 carat gold dipped boot for joining the “century club”.

In his 99 appearances for the Dragons, Blacklock has crossed for 92 tries. Overall, Blacklock's career record stands at 113 tries from 127 first grade appearances.