Host joins promising stable of Dragons young guns

While the drawn out negotiations that eventually saw NYC player of the year Luciano Leilua re-sign for three years drew most attention from Dragons fans, there are plenty at the club who believe Host is also a rep star of the future.

The deal will keep the 20-year-old in Wollongong and add his name to an exciting list of youngsters who have committed to the club long-term, including Leilua, Hame Sale and new acquisition Josh Kerr.

Renown United junior Host said the promise of the emerging group going forward made inking the new deal an easy move.

“I’m over the moon, it was very easy decision for me personally,” Host said.

“It’s great for the club that we have a lot of juniors coming up through the system that have re-signed as well.

“There’s a lot of young fellas that I’ve played with coming up through Matthews Cup, SG Ball and 20s, so we know each others’ game, how we play and what we expect from each other.

“I think there’s a great opportunity here at the Dragons for us young fellas coming through the club.

“I’m sure we’ll all get our opportunity and it’s just up to us now to take it with both hands and show everyone what we can to.”

Though he was still eligible for the NYC, Host managed eight top grade games in 2016 – including the last seven straight – largely on the back of his performances with the all-conquering Illawarra Cutters.

Host said the members of that squad have sought to ride that wave into what’s been a tough preseason.

“I definitely felt like I came in with a bit of a spring in my step personally,” Host said.

“We were still on a bit of a high from the double-championship we won with the Cutters.

“It was a great achievement for the boys coming back who played a bit of first grade throughout the year and it showed we were a quality side and what we are capable of. 

“Mary really told us to go back and try and dominate in that competition and from what we showed I think we did. There was a great vibe around the club especially after we won that first title against Mounties.

“If we can bring some of that up to first grade that’d be even better.”

With the likes of Tyson Frizell, Tariq Sims, Paul Vaughan, Jack de Belin, Joel Thompson and Russell Packer already vying for spots in the Dragons pack, Host is aware he has his work cut out to force into the 17 but it’s a challenge he’s embracing.

“It’s going to be tough to cement a spot that top 17 but I definitely think I’m capable of doing that,’ Host said.

“I think preseason’s really a blessing in disguise not just trying to get into the side but the chance to feed off the other senior players and all the experience they’ve had.

“It would be a wasted opportunity if I didn’t learn something new every day so personally that’s what I’m trying to do, use the chance to get into their heads because they’ve been around the game so long and been so successful.

“My goal is to play on an edge but I’m capable of playing in the middle as well if that’s the tactic we go with so I’m confident I can do a good job anywhere if needed.”