St George Illawarra Dragons confirm NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg coaches for 2023

Both Goodwin and Hertsch are Illawarra locals. The former was a Dragons player in the 2011-12 season. He said was eager to work with some of the region's junior stars.

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"Since retiring and even when I was playing with the Dragons I lived down here at Shell Cove so I've been in the region, watching the footy and seeing the young kids come through," Goodwin said in a statement following the announcement.

"A lot of those kids came through my area so I know them all quite well."

Hertsch began his coaching career in 2017 with Illawarra's Western Suburbs junior reserve grade before moving into first grade in 2018.

He was the Illawarra South Coast Dragons Andrew Johns Cup coach between 2021-22. He has lived in the Illawarra for 19 years and played over 200 games of Western Suburbs.

"My expectations are high and I'm just excited to get started," he said.

"I want to work pretty closely with the assistant coaches of the NRL side and help to implement the Dragons systems through all the grades."

The announcement comes after the Dragons announced Ben Woolf and Ryan Carr would be Anthony Griffin's NRL assistants for next season.

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The Mercury, in partnership with the Illawarra Academy Of Sport and presenting sponsor Illawarra Credit Union, is hosting the Illawarra Sports Awards, to be held on Thursday, November 10 at the Fraternity Club.

TICKETS: Purchase individual tickets or tables at https://events.humanitix.com/illawarra-sports-awards

NOMINATE: Get your nominations in for the Team Of The Year, Coach Of The Year and Local Hero Volunteer Of The Year

VOTE: Who will win the Mercury People's Choice Award? Read about their achievements HERE and vote.