St George Illawarra will maintain their trust in captain Ben Hornby as the man to lead them to an NRL premiership.After months of ongoing negotiations, Hornby is set to sign a new deal with the club which would see him stay a Dragon for life.An announcement on Hornby's contract, likely to be for a further two years, is expected soon, possibly as early as today.
Full coverage of the Dragons The 30-year-old Corrimal Cougars junior was appointed captain when coach Wayne Bennett took over last year and has played every game of the past two seasons.After claiming the minor premiership in 2009, the joint venture club's legion of fans are desperate to see Hornby lift the NRL trophy at ANZ Stadium on October 3.Retaining Hornby will virtually be the final piece in the recruitment puzzle for the Dragons this year, with New Zealand international Jeremy Smith likely to join the Cowboys or Sharks next year.Smith and Queensland State of Origin forward Neville Costigan have been forced out as part of salary cap pressure after the club signed former captain Mark Gasnier to a rich 4?-year deal.Talented under-20s winger Kalifa Fai Fai Loa is also likely to leave as he chases a regular place in the NRL.Last year's under-20 player of the year, Beau Henry, signed with Newcastle after being unable to break into the NRL behind Hornby and Jamie Soward.Hornby has played 218 games for the Dragons since his debut in 2000 and has formed a steady partnership with five-eighth Soward in the past two seasons.The halfback - who started his career at fullback - also played three games for NSW and made one appearance for Australia in 2006.
