Dragons in Packer bid

ST George Illawarra has made a desperate lastditch bid to have exiled prop Russell Packer cleared to play in the NRL for the remainder of the season.

The Dragons lodged a signed contract from Packer with the league just before the June 30 registration deadline and remain hopeful the NRL will soften its stance on a possible NRL comeback date.

Packer, who was released from jail last January after serving 12 months for assault, has been playing for the Dragons feeder team Illawarra Cutters in the NSW Cup since early May.

While he was given the green light to play in the second tier competition, the NRL indicated it would be 2016 before the governing body considered an application for a return to the NRL.