RUGBY LEAGUE
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State of Origin forward Trent Merrin has dismissed the possibility of a stunning mid-season move to Penrith, declaring his commitment to St George Illawarra as the Dragons found their fire on Saturday night.
Merrin has signed a three-year contract with the Panthers but has committed to playing out 2015 with St George Illawarra.
Whispers began circulating when the Dragons fell to a 0-2 start to the season that the NSW representative was toying with the idea of walking out on the club.
Merrin was quick to deny the Panthers had made any suggestion of him joining them prematurely.
"That's the first I've heard of it," Merrin said following Saturday night's win over Manly at WIN Stadium.
"I don't know anything about that, I'm just happy doing my job here for the boys."
Merrin knocked back an offer from St George Illawarra to extend his contract with the club, before signing the lucrative deal with Penrith in early March.
He subsequently started the opening three games of the season on the bench but coach Paul McGregor repeatedly denied the demotion was punishment for leaving the Dragons.
Merrin returned to a starting role on Saturday and the Dragons went on to beat the Sea Eagles 12-4 in front of 12,000 spectators at home.
He led the team in metres and hit-ups as the Red V's big men laid the platform for a second consecutive victory.
Merrin never complained when relegated to the bench the previous three weeks but admitted it felt good to finally get back to wearing guernsey 13.
"It was great to put that jersey on and be out there straight away," he said.
"But in saying that my role as a player is to do what's best for the team and the last few weeks my role has been to come off the bench, this week it was to start.
"Whatever role I've got to do I'll do it for the boys.
"I think every professional player would want to start, so of course it's great to start.
"But like I said, I'm here to win and whatever it takes I'll do it."
Merrin said the mood among the playing group had lifted significantly over the past fortnight.
The Dragons broke a winning drought by beating the Raiders in Canberra, then backed it up with Saturday's victory.
"It builds a lot of confidence and the boys are smiling, which helps a lot too," Merrin said.
"We'll build confidence from that, go back to training and we've got a job to do next week."