The St George and Illawarra pathways squads linked up over the weekend at the University of Wollongong for the opening leg of their preseason training schedule.
The club's SG Ball Cup and Harold Matthews Cup train-on squads were on hand for a testing and conditioning session run by pathways coaches.
"It's about setting the tone and expectation of what needs to happen in preseason for the players to have a successful year," Dragons Performance / Football Operations Manager Travis Roache said.
"St George Illawarra is a huge development club and it's a great way to see where we're at and what we can work on most but also how we can set new standards in performance.
"There is mateship and camaraderie here and a good vibe around the club from both the St George and Illawarra ends. It's great to bring them all together and see them connect as they move further into the higher grades."
A larger group of players will undergo preseason training with the club's Jersey Flegg Cup squad this off-season with SG Ball standouts set to spend November and December with the older squad before reintegrating into their Under 19s sides in the new year.
"Our kids that we're going to get to go to Jersey Flegg after SG Ball will do the preseason with Jersey Flegg, so they'll know the standards," Recruitment & Pathways Manager Shane Millard said.
"They'll be comfortable in the environment alongside their teammates and staff. It's a big step up and we want to manage it properly."
Steelers SG Ball head coach Shaun Timmins is conscious of the importance of connection and sees these types of gatherings as key with the junior representative seasons approaching.
"To see the NRL boys and staff in and around is good; we're all one club, at the end of the day," Timmins said.
"To facilitate everything in the same area on the same day is good for the club. We've got some really good squads here, so we're looking forward to getting into it."
