RUGBY LEAGUE - DRAGONS
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Dragons captain Ben Creagh has seen plenty of players come and go in his 11 seasons with the club but he's never considered joining the exodus.
Creagh debuted in 2003 and has seen many of the joint venture's finest leave the club. He was there when the likes of Trent Barrett, Jason Ryles, Mark Gasnier and Luke Bailey left the club before Wayne Bennett's arrival in 2009.
He watched Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith, Neville Costigan and Darius Boyd depart following the 2010 premiership and most recently he watched long-time teammate and good friend Brett Morris leave the club to link with brother Josh at Bulldogs.
Last week Trent Merrin rejected a reported three-year $1.6 million offer to remain with Dragons to test his value on the open market where there is already big interest in his services.
One of the game's premier back-rowers at the peak of the Bennett era, Creagh would have attracted similar interest but - though he says players are entitled to test their value - he's never contemplated donning another jersey.
"I've never really looked around, to tell you the truth," Creagh said.
"For me, when I first started out it's been important for me to stay a one-club player.
"I've always looked up to guys like Dean Young, Benny Hornby and Matt Cooper and I've always wanted to start and finish my career at one club. They've looked after me since I was a kid and I've tried to repay that loyalty over the years by staying.
"It happens a fair bit over the years, different players putting themselves on the market to test their value so it's nothing new. But I don't regret never testing the market one bit."
Creagh repaid the club in spades during a difficult 2014, providing strong leadership as the club endured a change of coach and going on to claim the Dragons Player of the Year award; a record fourth time for the club. He said it was an enjoyable season despite the turmoil.
"Personally I really enjoyed 2014," Creagh said.
"I enjoyed the change to the front row. I might not be a 120-kilo guy but I try and do everything I can to pull my own weight in the middle there and I'm looking to build on that for 2015."
Creagh took some time out from the pre-season along with teammates Euan Aitken and Beau Henry to spread Christmas cheer at Wollongong Hospital this week as part of the club's Secret Santa initiative in conjunction with Destination Wollongong.
"It's been great to help not only the kids in hospital who are doing it tough at the moment but some of the other patients in different wards who are going to be in hospital over Christmas which is very tough for themselves and their families," Creagh said.
"They're really excited to see us and really appreciative of the gifts we've been giving them, which is what Christmas is all about."