Three season-ending injuries forces Dragons to recruit ex-NRL player 

RUGBY LEAGUE

He was labelled as the next Sonny Bill Williams, had a con- tract worth $600,000 with Cronulla Sharks but instead Karl Filiga will run out onto Glen Willow for the first time to play for the Mudgee Dragons against Orange CYMS on Sunday.

It’s another big signing made by the Dragons who are desper- ate to revive their 2013 Group 10 season following their 36-0 loss to Lithgow last week.

Filiga played 11 minutes for the Sharks in 2008 but left the club and his three-year deal worth $200,000 a season on compassionate grounds. He has been playing in the NSW Cup for Wentworthville Magpies.

The Dragons managed to get the centre with the help of another of their mid-season signings, Brent Rae-Millar.

Rae-Millar and Filiga are mates from their playing days at Wentworthville.

The pair join former NRL player Jack Afamasaga, Fijian inter- national Iowane Divavesi, Sam Crabb, Brendan Carter and Robbie Clarkson as the new additions to the Dragons in 2013.

Captain-coach Mat Stott said it was two season-ending injuries to Corin Smith and Matt Kurtz that forced the Dragons to look outside the district. “Matt Kurtz dislocated his

shoulder in the game against Panthers and is out for the sea- son. We have just found out Corin Smith is out for the season. Reserve grade are struggling for numbers too. We just had to do something to replace a top centre,” Stott said.

Kurtz and Smith’s season-end- ing injuries add to Tom Lewsley’s broken leg he suffered in the first 10 minutes of the season. All three were playing in the centres at the time.

But Filiga’s signing is a welcome addition.

The 24-year-old played last week against Lithgow and gave a glimpse of his potential.

“He had limited preparation and it was sort of last minute stuff,” Stott said.

“He was a full-time NRL player so there is no doubt he can play.

“He is going to be a big help for Robbo [ Jared Robinson] and Brendan Carter at the back, also Andy and myself in the halves.”

Each time the Dragons lose a match from here on in, the deep- er the nails are hammered into their coffin.

It doesn’t get any easier for the red and whites as they host fourth-placed Orange CYMS on Sunday.

They then play leaders Orange Hawks, third-placed Bathurst St Pat’s and fifth-placed Oberon.

“We have to take responsibility as players [for the losses],” Stott said.

“It was 10-nil at half-time against Lithgow; we were within striking distance. We came out in the second and gave the ball away and penalties away, and if you do that you have no chance.

“CYMS are a quality side, Mick Sullivan does a good job with those guys.

“We have to be competitive against the top five sides, we have to beat those top teams.

“The good sides lift and this [Sunday’s match] will be a sign of how we can bounce back.”

Under 18s kick-off at 11am fol- lowed by first division and pre- mier league at 1.45pm.