Revenge isn’t a word being used in Melbourne this week ahead of the grand final rematch, but redemption will be a small motivating factor for centre Jack Howarth, who lasted less than 15 minutes against Brisbane before injuries cruelly ended his night.
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It came a year after he was denied a try in the 2024 decider in the most controversial moment of the night.
Howarth has endured a luckless start to his career with injuries costing him a potential State of Origin debut last year, while groin and biceps issues forced him from the field in the grand final.
Last year’s bout of appendicitis led to doctors finding a tumour that was thankfully detected early on and swiftly removed.
Howarth made that revelation to the NewsWire after the grand final defeat, with the Storm centre keen to move on from that night after speaking to media in the sheds following his side’s win over the Dragons.
“I came off and it was tough watching,” he recalled, devastated that he forced his side into a backline reshuffle that allowed Broncos fullback Reece Walsh to pick them apart on the edges.
“But I’m kind of trying to get past that point in that period. And I had a good pre-season and just trying to put myself in a good position for this year.
“It is a tough one because in the moment you get very emotional.
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“But I think over time when you do get that break away from footy, I just chose to completely switch off and not try to look back on any of that type of stuff because you can take it into the following year.
“I just wanted to go into a new year. I had a few surgeries, so I was focusing on myself and getting myself in a good position to be ready to play round 1.
“I just decided to switch off and spend time with family and friends and I think that helped me and put me in a good position.”
The Storm has bounced back from a torrid off-season to be 2-0 heading into Friday night’s blockbuster, with Howarth in fantastic form after switching from the left to the right side of the field.
“I grew up playing on the right my whole life, so I think when I was playing on the left, it was just an available spot there. And I just wanted to get into the team, so I was happy to play on the left,” he said after scoring a try in each of the first two games.
“But I don’t want to just say I’m a right-side player, so whenever, wherever the team needs me and needs someone to fill in, I’m happy to play either left or right.”
Howarth is feeling fully fit after years of setbacks, with all eyes now on the showdown with Brisbane who are winless through the opening two rounds.
Last year’s result still stings, but coach Craig Bellamy says a win on Friday won’t ease the pain.
“We can’t change that,” he said.
“We would have liked to have won, but we didn’t. At some stage you’ve got to park that. This is a new year.
“If we happen to win on Friday night, then they’re not going to give us last year’s premiership, so it’s a waste of time thinking about it.”
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DRAGONS GUN INKS LONG-TERM DEAL
The Dragons have received a boost on the eve of their Round 3 clash with the Eels with boom forward Dylan Egan inking a long-term extension with the club.
The 21-year-old has scored three tries in eight games for the Dragons since his debut last season and is due back from an ACL injury in Round 8.
“The Dragons have continued their commitment to building a squad around young local talent, extending the contract of second-rower Dylan Egan through the 2029 NRL season,” the club confirmed in a statement.
“Previously committed through 2027, Egan has put pen to paper to push his time at St George Illawarra into at least a fifth season, having made his debut in Round 4 last year.”
Egan, who is a local junior having supported the Dragons since their last title run in 2010 was excited to extend his stay at the proud club.
“I was over the moon to be able to secure my future with the club that I grew up supporting… it means the world,” Egan said.
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“Obviously, growing up with Hamish Stewart and Hayden Buchanan down at Gerringong, and coming through the grades with the Couchman’s and a lot of the other boys, it’s very motivating for us to try to get the club back to that form that I was watching when I was six years old on the hill.
“We were watching the Dragons in 2010 win the Grand Final, and I know not just me, but a lot of the other lads are very motivated to bring this great club back to where we reckon they belong.”
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Dragons coach Shane Flanagan was excited to have Egan at the club for a further two years and looks forward to him returning to the field in the coming months.
“Dylan is one of those young men who has shown impeccable character and work ethic from a young age, and this extension is truly earned,” Flanagan said.
“He faced the highs of an NRL debut followed by the lows of a season-ending injury in a relatively short period, but he never wavered from his commitment to excellence.
“We are all looking forward to his continued development as an NRL player.”
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