Rookie St George Illawarra forwards Dylan Egan and Hamish Stewart have been making headlines as they prepare to face Manly centre Reuben Garrick in Thursday night’s NRL clash at 4 Pines Park. The duo trained alongside Garrick during their off-season break, and now aim to secure a victory against him and the Sea Eagles, similar to their triumph over Storm utility Tyran Wishart three weeks ago.
Egan and Stewart are the latest talents from Gerringong to rise to the NRL ranks, joining the likes of Garrick, Wishart, Warriors forward Jackson Ford, and Knights winger Kyle McCarthy, who debuted last season. Stewart made his NRL debut in the opening round against the Bulldogs, with Egan joining him in Round 4 against the Storm.
The Gerringong Connection
The small town of Gerringong on the NSW South Coast has a rich history of producing elite rugby league players. This tradition includes legends like Mick Cronin, Peter Ford, Ron Quinn, and Rod Wishart, as well as the Sims brothers and sister Ruan. Despite playing for different teams, these athletes return to Gerringong during the off-season to train together, setting aside rivalries for the sake of improvement.
“Reuben comes down and trains with us in the off-season,” Egan shared. “Scotty Stewart, Hamish’s dad, runs some sessions and they are pretty tough, but we get a lot of lads there.”
“Scotty’s sessions in the off-season, coming into the pre-season, are very tough. It’s just up at the footy field and I don’t think there is much science behind it – it’s just running, and keep running.”
Training Pays Off
Egan’s off-season training has already yielded results. He scored a try and made a game-high 47 tackles in his first start in the second row against the Titans at WIN Stadium last Friday. At just 20 years old, he is recognized as one of the fittest players at the Dragons, finishing third in a challenging pre-season road run up Mt Keira.
“I have just always tried to do the best I can, train hard and compete,” Egan said. His dedication is rooted in the teachings of his early coaches, David Ward and John Ford, who emphasized hard work and integrity.
Facing Familiar Faces
Playing against Garrick, who recently became a father, adds a personal dimension to the upcoming match. Egan is eager to replicate the success he had against Wishart, another familiar face from Gerringong.
“The Wisharts are legends down south,” Egan said. “I remember playing in the Rod Wishart Cup in primary school, so for Wishy to wish me luck that week and to get the win on them in my debut was very exciting.”
Despite a minor elbow injury in the Dragons’ victory over the Titans, Egan attended Mick Cronin Oval last Saturday to support the Gerringong Lions, showcasing the tight-knit community spirit that fuels these players.
Looking Ahead
The culture of Gerringong continues to inspire young athletes. “Gerringong has a real good culture, there are always kids out kicking a ball, so to come through and live out our dreams, with Hamish and the other juniors in the NRL, just means a lot to our family and friends,” Egan reflected.
As Egan and Stewart prepare for their next challenge, their journey underscores the importance of community and hard work in achieving success at the highest levels of rugby league. The support from their hometown and the rigorous off-season training have set a solid foundation for their burgeoning careers.
