Reed determined to complete path from ballboy to Vegas
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Dragons rookie Kade Reed isn't shying away from the challenge of playing his way into the Las Vegas touring squad as he looks to complete his journey from ballboy to NRL debutant.
The local junior rocketed into contention for St George Illawarra's touring squad with a stunning performance in last week's Witzer Pre-Season Challenge victory over the Knights.
Coach Shane Flanagan has named starting halves Dan Atkinson and Kyle Flanagan for Saturday night's Charity Shield against the Rabbitohs, with Reed to come off the bench at WIN Stadium.
Kade Reed Try
The teenager's dreaming of playing for the Dragons was first formed during his years as a ballboy for the club's reserve grade side. There, he got to know current Dragons star Damien Cook and a host of other big names.
"It's pretty surreal to go from running out the tea to running out alongside those guys," Reed said.
"My old man was the assistant coach so my brothers and I were the ballboys. I started when I was six and kept going until I was 10.
"The goal is to play in the NRL and that will happen when [the coaches] think I'm ready. I'm going to put my best foot forward every day at training and hopefully play consistently good footy in NSW Cup and we'll see what happens."
Match: Dragons v Rabbitohs
Round 2 -
home Team
Dragons
4th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Cook headlines a list of stars preparing for their first appearance of the year on Saturday night as the Dragons ramp up preparations for their season opener against the Bulldogs in Las Vegas.
Clint Gutherson will start at fullback this weekend, with Valentine Holmes, Hamish Stewart and Jaydn Su'A among the players returning.
Cook grew up in Helensburgh and started his career at the Dragons before moving to the Bulldogs, South Sydney and eventually returning to St George Illawarra last season.
Damien Cook Try
The hooker has fond memories of a young Kade Reed and backed the emerging playmaker to make a successful transition to first-grade in the coming years.
"We've spoken about it a little bit," Cook said. "It's pretty funny, I wouldn't say it makes me feel old. I enjoy being able to still run around with the young boys.
"They're the cool memories that rugby league gives us, having him ballboy back in the day to now train alongside him. It's a special moment and I'm looking forward to hopefully being a small part of the bright future he's got ahead of him."
Saturday's clash marks St George Illawarra's final hit out before they travel to Las Vegas, with Flanagan hoping his players get through the clash unscathed.
South Sydney have rested most of their stars, but Wayne Bennett has named a number of former Dragons for the match.
Matt Dufty Try
Matt Dufty will start at fullback in his first game since returning to Australia, while Jonah Glover will make his first appearance in Rabbitohs colours after leaving St George Illawarra in the off-season. Ashton Ward, a Gerringong product, will combine with Glover in the halves.
Cook has had another reunion this off-season, with former Bulldogs teammate Michael Ennis joining the Dragons as an assistant coach.
The premiership winner has tweaked an attack that struggled at times in 2025, with Cook confident St George Illawarra will score plenty of points this season.
"There are still some things that are the same but Mick has come in and put his own touch on things," Cook said. "I've really enjoyed working alongside him again.
"It's been a while since we played together back in our Dogs days. He's a past hooker, so I've been able to lean on him and chat to him. I've really enjoyed that this pre-season."
