Clune eager to stick with the Red V

AS JOSH McGuire heads south to join the Dragons, St George Illawarra halfback Adam Clune has declared he wants to stay in Wollongong.

Clune has been linked with a potential mid-season move to the Cowboys once Ben Hunt returns from injury but the 25year-old has made it known he wants to stick with the Dragons for the time being.

“I haven’t given thought,” Clune said.

“A few articles have come out but I didn’t know about it and a few people have asked me about it, but I want to stay here in Wollongong.

“I’m a local boy, I have my family and friends here and we’re building something special at the club.

“I’ve got some really close friends and it’s a really close group. My number one priority is to stay here.

“I’m not really focused on that at the moment. I’m under contract here for the next year so as far as I’m concerned, I’m staying at the Dragons.”

Clune had been rumoured to be the makeweight in a potential swap deal for McGuire, who was officially announced as a Dragon on Tuesday.

The Albion Park junior made his NRL debut last season and has helped steer the Dragons to a surprise top-four berth to start the year following Corey Norman’s suspension and Hunt’s injury.

“It’s good to have interest and options. That’s my focus, I want to be a starting half, I don’t just want to be a backup,” Clune said.

“I want to be able to build a long career and help the Dragons build some success.

“It’s good to have some interest but I have a lot of improvement in me, I still haven’t played 20 games yet.

“If I can keep building on that, adding little things each week, I can bring more and more stuff to the team.”

McGuire was named on an extended bench for Sunday’s clash with the Warriors and could be a late inclusion.

The Dragons forwards have set the platform for the club’s four-match winning streak and McGuire’s experience and rugged playing style would only add to their steel. it any