RUGBY LEAGUE
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Former Kiwi international Bronson Harrison has sung the praises of another soon-to-be ex-Raiders back-rower, endorsing Dragons-bound Joel Thompson as a perfect fit in Wollongong.
Thompson will follow Harrison when he arrives at St George Illawarra to start a three-year deal in 2014. The pair were team-mates for four years in Canberra before Harrison was lured to the Dragons in November.
"He's a great ambassador and a good kid," Harrison said.
"He's matured more and more and each year becoming more professional."
Thompson's impending arrival in Wollongong won't mean Harrison is the latest ex-Raider to find a home on the South Coast, with Michael Weyman, Daniel Vidot and Bronx Goodwin also on the Dragons' books.
But Harrison said there were no cliques in the Dragons squad despite all the Raiders heading for the coast.
"There's a few of the [former Canberra] boys down here, but we don't really feel like a little club," he said.The Dragons are also set to welcome Melbourne's British five-eighth Gareth Widdop to the club to replace another premiership-winning pivot, Penrith-bound Jamie Soward.
Dragons prop Dan Hunt admitted Soward's decision to link with the struggling Panthers came as a surprise, but wouldn't derail the Red V's quest to return to the finals this season.
"He's been at the club since 2007, he's won a comp, World Club Challenge, played Origin and he's done so much for our club," Hunt said.
"It is going to be sad to see him leave, but he had to make a decision on behalf of himself and his family.
"We've got Gareth Widdop and Joel Thompson and we're looking forward to them joining us next year, but for now we've still got 2013 to worry about."