Clubs hunting for a Fox

Dragons livewires face move down south

WESTERN Suburbs livewire William Fox is preparing to leave the Dragons at season’s end, with Brisbane Premier Grade rugby clubs scouting the emerging talent.

The exciting centre will cocaptain the teal outfit against Charters Towers this weekend in the injury-enforced absence of regular leaders Brandon Luta and Taylor Bail.

Fox will be supported by Cody Bell, Shaun Keogh and Jamaine Gillin — who is also in the mix for a move to southeast Queensland. Dragons coach David Whalan was full of praise for his young star but admitted it would be bittersweet to lose someone of his calibre.

He said that was the nature of the program he and the club were trying to develop, one in which regional athletes could make the jump to rugby union’s biggest stage.

“There’s various clubs having a look at the moment, I don’t think he wants to show his cards just yet. Jamaine is in that position as well, who has been a standout this year,” Whalan said.

“I can see those boys definitely in a bigger program, a more developed program, there’s no reason they can’t play at that premier level.

“I wouldn’t take it (professional rugby) off the table, Jamaine is a natural for the 7s format and Foxy definitely has his strengths in that 15.

“In light of the Queensland

Reds’ success last weekend, it just added fuel to the fire because it’s actually achievable to be at the top of their game, and the boys are pretty inspired.

“We all want the best for our players, sometimes it’s sad to move on our young guns but we could have the next big thing come out of Townsville and the Dragons.”

Fresh off his side’s first win of the season against Burdekin, Whalan said continuity in their line up had been the greatest obstacle thus far. Without team captain Luta and club captain Bail on the field, a leadership void has been created — particularly in the forward pack.

Whalan said tough, uncompromising football were terms synonymous with Charters Towers’ brand of play, making the loss of his key pairing all the more challenging.

However in 2020 when the Dragons established themselves as finals dark horses — finishing fourth in the campaign — it was their win against Burdekin that kickstarted proceedings.

Now Whalan hopes last week’s win has a similar impact, and instils the belief they are a force to be on alert for.

“It’ll be an interesting game, we’ve prepared well as a team and coming off getting that first win down at Burdekin that mindset is a little bit better,” Whalan said.

“I’m expecting just one of the most physical games the Dragons have had to this point.”