SPORT llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ntnews.com.au Storm shocked as Widdop joins Dragons MELBOURNE Storm five- four-year deal with the things and I’m happy with and it’s going to be very hard eighth Gareth Widdop says Dragons, believed to be worth the decision.’’ to leave, and I’m sure they’re his shock move from the NRL $2.2 million. The announcement comes devastated that it’s come to premiers to St George Illa- ‘‘It’s been a tough time to just two days after Penrith this but it’s the opportunity warra is more about family make a decision but it’s a new snared Dragons’ five-eighth and the reward financially of than football. chapter in my life now,’’ the Jamie Soward on a four-year playing up there is going to The Storm saw the 24-year- father of two said. deal beginning next season. help,’’ he said. old as integral to the future of ‘‘I just feel for my young Widdop will be a key plank Widdop was part of the the club, with the looming re- family in terms of moving in the Dragons’ move to re- Storm’s premiership- tirements of big guns Ca- forward with them, it’s the vitalise a side which has loo- winning side in 2012 and will meron Smith, Billy Slater best move. ked lacklustre in attack so far be a key player in England’s and Cooper Cronk, who all ‘‘It’s going to be a bit of this season. World Cup campaign. turn 30 this year. challenge living in Sydney, in Widdop said it would be The Dragons are now un- But 2012 premiership win- a town that’s all about rugby tough to leave the Storm. ‘‘It’s likely to try to sign Cronul- ner Widdop has agreed to a league. It was a number of a great club and a great team la’s Todd Carney. Eve of Adam’s Origin as City’s slick half ADAM Reynolds’ meteoric rise from unknown South Sydney junior to top-class NRL halfback will reach an- other milestone tomorrow Tigers when he makes his represent- ative debut for City against Country in Coffs Harbour. Souths have made their PUB: finest start to a season since 1971, winning five of their opening six games to under- NT NEWS prowl line their credentials as genu- ine premiership contenders. Since making his debut in Round 1 last year, Reynolds appears to have none of the traits to suggest he’s likely to go off the rails. DATE: own turf He is the father of two daughters and shared a house with his parents and RUGBY LEAGUE Darley — who has repre- girlfriend before moving his 20-APR-2013 By GREGOR MACTAGGART sented the Australian Army young family to their own rugby league team — boasts a place just after Christmas. KATHERINE plays host to good pedigree, having been Having spent this week in unbeaten Palmerston in the leading tryscorer in camp with City team coach today’s NTRL A-grade match NSW’s Group 6 in 2011 when Brad Fittler, one of NSW’s of the round. playing for the Camden Rams. finest playmakers, the men- The Round 4 clash is the Evergreen forward David tor has been impressed with first opportunity for the Johansen returns to the what he’s seen. Tigers to show their wares team, but the Raiders do ‘‘He has a lot of class on and PAGE: on home soil since making have two other notable off the field,’’ Fittler said. the leap to the top grade, and absentees in playmaker Matt ‘‘He doesn’t say much but, coach Pat Kelly is expecting Bennett (away) and centre when he does, it makes a lot a strong turnout to add to Matt Johnson (injury). of sense.’’ 46 the occasion. Kick-off is at 7pm. Reynolds is competing ‘‘It’s a big game for us In other matches, Brothers with Mitchell Pearce, who COLOR: because Palmerston have are chasing their first win of was forced to pull out of the been a good side for the past the season against South City squad with a calf injury, couple of years and have Darwin at Richardson Park for the NSW No. 7 jersey. started this season very from 5.45pm. Fittler expects Pearce well,’’ Kelly said. The Brethren are in the to keep his spot for the State ‘‘We always enjoy the unfamiliar position of of Origin opener on June C chance to play at home in second-last after losses to 5, but knows a big perform- front our supporters. Palmerston and Katherine, ance for a depleted City side M ‘‘It’s going to be a big day so the likely return of key would put pressure on the Y for us with the under-18s as playmaker Rodney Barba Blues incumbent. the curtainraiser, followed will be welcome. ‘‘It’s a big responsibility for K by the A-grade game.’’ The Rabbitohs may boast a him, the hooker’s young, the Katherine welcomes back 1-2 win-loss record, but have fullback’s young, five-eighth talented centre Lawrence shown great signs of promise is young and, if he can con- Watego to a team coming off under new coach Billy trol the game, then he will a breakthrough win against Johnstone and will present have served his purpose. reigning premiers Brothers stern resistance. ‘‘I have all the confidence seven days ago. Litchfield will go in as in the world in him.’’ Palmerston have started favourites for their 7.30pm Ex-Souths skipper Craig season 2013 in bright fashion showdown with winless Uni- Coleman has known Reyn- under new coach Geoff versity at Richardson Park. olds since he was a child and Cregan, accounting for The Bears have gleaned coached him at SG Ball level. Litchfield and Brothers in three points (courtesy of a Coleman said his former their two matches so far. win and draw) in the past charge has seamlessly trans- Dynamic fullback Trenton two matches and should ac- ferred his lower-grade form Smith is suspended, meaning count for a Sharks side still into the NRL and expects him Mahn Darley shifts from trying to find its feet. to do likewise in the repre- wing to the No. 1 jersey. Teams in Update — P41 The rise and rise of Adam Reynolds continues as he lines up for City Picture: GETTY IMAGES sentative arena. Aussies take win FOOTROT FLATS 1080127v7 From Back Page KANGAROOS 32 The Kiwis’ only try af- KIWIS 12 ter the half-time siren AUSTRALIA: D Boyd C came from the unlikely Cronk J Hodges G Inglis playmaking source of L Lewis B Morris tries; C Pritchard. Smith 4 goals NEW ZEALAND: J He grubbered as Billy Hoffman F Pritchard Slater had an airswing tries; S Johnson 2 goals — and Hoffman was Venue: at Canberra much more eager to Stadium pounce on the ball than Referee: Ashley Klein he proved to be later in the night. 46 NT NEWS. Saturday, April 20, 2013. www.ntnews.com.au.