Nathan Brown re-signs with Saints
until end of 2006

St George Bank Dragons have re-signed coach Nathan Brown in a deal which will extend his coaching contract for two years until the end of the 2006 season.

The decision was finalised after the Club?s monthly Board meeting last Tuesday. Brown's current two-year contract was due to expire at the end of this season.

In announcing the decision, Dragons Chief Executive Officer Peter Doust said the Board wanted to have the Club?s coaching direction in place prior to the June 30 deadline for player negotiations.

?A detailed review of the on-field performance and an appraisal of the key performance indicators set across coaching management after the 2003 season have confirmed the Board?s acceptance in their direction,? Doust said.

?It?s obvious to most Dragons supporters that there has been a significant improvement in the attitude and style of play and the coach can take a considerable amount of credit for that. Both Nathan and the team have matured under his coaching.?

The re-signing indicates something of a turnaround for the 30-year-old coach who just last month was presiding over a struggling outfit. Since then, Saints have posted big wins over the Knights, Wests Tigers, Panthers and came within a whisker of defeating the Roosters last weekend.

Dragons coach Nathan Brown said: ?I am very pleased to extend my arrangement with the Dragons.

?Everyone knows I am passionate about the club. Everyone knows I want to be a career rugby league coach. To be able to put the two together makes me very happy. I am looking forward to paying everyone back for their faith in me.?

The Dragons currently boast the best points difference in the competition having conceded only 41 points while scoring 147 points in their last four matches.