SOUTH SYDNEY have taken another step in their campaign to build a dynasty at the club, with star winger Nathan Merritt re-signing for four years.
Merritt, the NRL's leading tryscorer in 2006, joins skipper Roy Asotasi, halfback Craig Wing, lock John Sutton and second-rower David Fa'alogo as Rabbitohs players under contract until at least the end of the 2011 season.
"Part of the strategy that Russell [Crowe] and Peter [Holmes a Court] have for the club is to sign our players long-term, and we want to get a nucleus of 15 or so tied up," Souths director of football Shane Richardson said.
A major plank of the Rabbitohs recruitment plan is retaining Souths juniors, and it is hoped that Merritt's signing will soon be followed by similar announcements concerning the futures of fullback Fetuli Talanoa and halfback Eddie Paea.
"I'm a very proud South Sydney man so I never really considered going anywhere else," Merritt said. "Hopefully, I'll finish my career here."
The 24-year-old father of twins has left before, though - having spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons at Cronulla. Since returning, he has noticed a dramatic change at the club under Crowe and Holmes a Court.
"When I began playing for Souths we couldn't win a game," Merritt said. "It was a struggle every week. But now we're really competitive and there is a great feeling at the club. We're a pretty tight unit, all the guys get along well and we feel that we have got a strong team."
Merritt has changed in that time, too, and he wants to follow the lead of Rabbitohs teammate Dean Widders and retired fullback David Peachey by working more closely with the indigenous community through the Souths Cares program.
But as the Herald yesterday joined Merritt on a visit to the site of his former high school, now Alexandria Park Primary School, it was obvious that he is a role model for all children in the South Sydney area. "It's great how all the kids look up to you, just like I used to look up to the South Sydney players when I went to school there," he said. "I was once one of those kids."
After missing Souths' first finals appearance in 18 years due to a leg injury he sustained two weeks earlier, Merritt is racing the clock to be fit for next Friday night's season opener against Sydney Roosters but is resigned to the fact that even if he does play it will be on the wing and not at fullback. "I just want to cement a spot in the side because with the depth we've got this year it's going to be really competitive for positions," he said.
¡ Cronulla last night announced the re-signing of NSW pivot Greg Bird and centre Ben Pomeroy. Bird signed for four years, and Pomeroy three. The Sharks also announced they will donate $500 for each try they score this season to the McGrath Foundation.
