How Luke Bailey's Dragon reunion fell over

[DIEHARD]

How Luke Bailey's Dragon reunion fell over

TITANS pack leader Luke Bailey has revealed he sounded out the Dragons about a possible return to St George Illawarra earlier this year.

The former NSW and Test representative will spearhead the Titans' forward battle tonight against the Broncos at Skilled Park.

But while Bailey is now 100 per cent committed to the Titans and the premiership cause, he admits homesickness and being separated from his extended family has been difficult to deal with.

During the All Stars camp at the start of this season, Bailey reunited with former Dragons teammate and childhood friend Matt Cooper.

What started as a joke soon gained momentum as Bailey spoke with Cooper about how great it would be to return home to Illawarra after three years on the Gold Coast.

"I didn't think too much of it until I went home and told the missus and saw her eyes light up," said the married father of three.

"It was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

"So I spoke to my manager and I tossed it up.

"He asked me if I wanted to make a formal approach and I said, 'no, I'm just asking a few of the boys to see what they think'.

"I got guys like Ben Hornby and Coops to ask Wayne Bennett what he thought.

"They got back to me and said it would be good but it wouldn't be the money you want when you are coming to the end of your career.

"I still had another year up here and I was more than happy to stay but I just had to do the right thing by my family and inquire about it.

"Once I told the missus it wasn't going to happen it was all sweet."

Bailey has since exercised an option in his contract to continue playing at the Titans in 2011.

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au

[Cowboy Titan]

Good news that Bull will stay with the Titans. He's one player that I'd never doubt would give 100% even though he might want to move south one day.