NRL’s new cult figure inks bumper deal, eyes new role

Cody Ramsey may change into a shock long-term alternative for Corey Norman at No. 6 after the rookie winger signed a $1 million Dragon’s deal.

Information Corp Australia can reveal Ramsey has been recognized as a future five-eighth and it was utility worth that helped seal a two-year extension that features a $150,000 a 12 months improve to his present deal

Already contracted to the membership till the tip of subsequent 12 months, Ramsey on Friday dedicated to the membership till the tip of 2024 on a deal that may common out to be price an estimated $250,000 a season.

Named to begin on the wing in Saturday’s trial towards the Sharks however anticipated to additionally play fullback, Ramsey was on a minimal wage deal earlier than the brand new contract was introduced.

He would have earned simply $150,000 over the subsequent two years.

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Ramsey refused to go to the open market and recommitted to the Dragons with out testing his price.

“I am stoked to stay a Dragon for the subsequent few years. I’ve had an incredible journey getting up to now in my profession and it means an entire lot to my entire household that I’ve managed to safe my future within the Pink V,” Ramsey mentioned.

“I nonetheless have much more enchancment and studying in me. That is one thing that has been drilled into me by all my coaches which I can admire. I can not wait to develop additional and higher myself over the approaching years.”

Dragons basic supervisor of soccer Ben Haran mentioned Ramsey was rewarded for his loyalty.

“Cody confirmed an incredible want to stay a Dragon, which is essential for a proud organisation reminiscent of St George Illawarra,” Haran mentioned.

“We recognized plenty of years in the past that Cody had nice potential and we’re beginning to see him ship on that now within the high squad.

“To see a top quality participant and particular person like Cody come via our junior consultant pathway is one other pleasing side to his retention.

“Cody’s means to play in quite a few positions will maintain him in good stead over the upcoming season and past.”

Ramsey may find yourself turning into the membership’s long run alternative for Norman with the previous Queensland star going through an unsure future.

MEET THE MOLONG MARVEL, NRL’S NEWEST CULT FIGURE

Cody Ramsey hails from the place of many rocks.

Or says a highway signal welcoming guests to his little bush city of Molong – inhabitants 1674 – the place this rising St George Illawarra rookie, each few weeks, disappears to fish, hunt pigs, even pour schooners on the Freemasons Lodge, run by mum Kim and stepdad Dave.

Every time time permits it, yow will discover Ramsey right here.

Frequently known as again to this village which, 30km north of Orange, and constructed on a limestone outcrop, derives its distinctive, if barely uninspiring identify from the native Wiradjuri folks.

“And you’ll Google it,” Ramsey says of the weird deal with.

“That is actually what Molong means, the place of many rocks.

“We even have a few huge ones proper within the centre of city.”

Which is not precisely the Large Banana, proper?

Nor Golden Guitar or Canine on the Tuckerbox.

However that is OK.

Particularly when the best pic alternative in Molong may quickly be, with apologies to the clump of stones sat downtown, this generally pub barman who doubles because the son of a pigeon racer and grandson of a gravedigger.

An unabashed nation boy who, nonetheless solely 21, boasts a scraggly mop of hair he refuses to chop, a Speedy Gonzales thigh tattoo, and the kind of athletic means which – regardless of falling greater than as soon as from his tinnie whereas fishing off Port Hacking – has seen him rating an NRL debut double, internet $56,000 for mates on the TAB window, and now head into Saturday’s Charity Shield as a real Subsequent Large Factor.

Which is well timed.

Not just for Dragons followers – who may definitely use one thing to cheer – but additionally these of us who frequently want on that subsequent incarnation of Ewan McGrady, Bubba Kennedy, even the Cleal boys.

Which is why you need to know that every time he will get consecutive days off, Ramsey heads west for a pub which, constructed within the 1850s, and providing 5 BBQ hen packs for that subsequent badge draw winner, mum Kim runs whereas additionally elevating daughters Alize and Jameson – named, splendidly, after the liqueur and Irish whiskey, respectively.

Know too that older brother Jesse, up north in Cairns, resides precisely as you’d anticipate a fella who, when approached in his teenagers by Penrith scouts, who spoke excitedly about an NRL trial, mentioned, sorry, however he was headed piggin’.

A solution little brother not solely understands, however respects.

In spite of everything, that is the cult NRL prospect whose left foot is tattooed with the phrases ‘I am Drained’. On the correct, ‘Me Too’.

“Identical as my grandfather,” the Dragons winger says.

Huh?

“My pop Jim has the identical tattoos on his toes,” he says, going once more. “They’re dodgy house jobs, however I have been wanting down at them my entire life.

“I at all times thought ‘who does that?’.

“However they had been simply so humorous … that is why I went and obtained ’em too.”

And as for Speedy Gonzalez?

“Apparently once I was actually little, coming down to go to my pop and uncle in Heathcote, I used to run round the home saying Speedy Gonzalez … or Tweety Gonzalez,” he laughs.

“Solely factor I mentioned for a 12 months.

“So I obtained it placed on.

“My household, they’ve helped me a lot.

“Like my pop, hilarious. He lives at Heathcote, works in a cemetery and has additionally bred pigeons.

“My dad (Jamie) does the identical.

“He is obtained trophies, goes to reveals in Abu Dhabi, even runs his personal enterprise – JR Pigeon Provides – promoting seed, feeders, stuff like that.”

Ramsey, nonetheless, prefers looking pigs.

Or when a spare afternoon presents, disappearing to fish alone in his tinnie all 15 horsepower motor.

“Though I did take a few the boys out as soon as,” he says, referencing two housemates. “However a pair of props on the entrance of a tinnie, the bow proper down … I am going full pelt and it is doing nothing however burn gas.

“That is why normally I’m going out on my own.”

All of which appears like a child residing his dream.

However solely since you weren’t there 18 months in the past when day-after-day was a chaotic 16-hour swirl of working as a mechanical plumber, representing Dragons U/20s and attempting to outlive his first 12 months of life “having by no means actually been wherever larger than Heathcote”.

Finally hit so dangerous by anxiousness and stress, Ramsey consulted counsellors whereas self-medicating on fixed caffeine.

“I used to be simply so wrecked,” he recollects.

“I used to be having espresso via the day at work after which, earlier than coaching, a Pink Bull plus a No Doze pill.”

What you needed to do?

“Most likely not, nevertheless it’s what I did,” he shrugs. “While you’re going through adversity, you simply attempt to get via.

“And I had quite a lot of anxiousness.

“Attempting to handle work, footy, residing bills, plus travelling from Sydney to Wollongong day-after-day, it actually affected me.

“Fortunately, I lived with pop and my aunty for some time which helped.

“However nonetheless, I used to be phoning my mother and father day-after-day on that drive from the town to coaching, talking with the identical tone in my voice.

“That is why, finally, they obtained me to see some folks.”

Importantly, Ramsey leaned not solely on counsellors, or household, but additionally St George legend Mark Coyne, whose family he turned near whereas taking part in additionally with Gymea.

Higher, the Molong Marvel survived – and has since thrived.

Not solely starring on the 2020 NRL Nines, or scoring a debut double towards Canberra in Spherical 18 – which included, together with his first contact, netting $56K for all these mates who backed him as first tryscorer – however even creating headlines for mum, who was interviewed by Fox Sports activities within the grandstand at halftime.

“And he or she’s rung me a dozen instances since saying there’s another person come into the pub who has recognised her,” he laughs. “She loves it.”

But what of her admission, throughout that very same interview, suggesting patrons had been streaming mentioned debut on iPhones given the Freemasons has no pay TV?

“I would wish to assume that modifications this 12 months,” he grins. “Though they will most likely simply hook the whole lot to a laptop computer, then run a HDMI cable to the TV.”

However what extra apt method to view the Molong Marvel?

This fella who hunts pigs, refuses to chop his hair and hails from the place of many rocks.

A possible Dragons cult determine who, after re-signing with the Pink V for an extra three years on Friday, already is aware of precisely the place all future contract bonuses will go.

“Larger boat,” he grins.

Initially revealed as NRL’s new cult figure inks bumper deal, eyes new role