Canberra has poached five young guns from Dragons

Canberra has pulled off a shock attack on St George Illawarra, pinching five of the best up-and-coming players from the Dragons' ranks. In an audacious move, the Raiders have lived up to their name by snaring five rising stars in a move that has infuriated the Dragons. The five 18-year-olds were seen as part of the future plans of the Dragons - and at least six more quality youngsters have been signed by other clubs, as well. The players who have made the move to the ACT are Country under-18s and Dapto fullback Jack Piccirilli, hooker Jaxon Lavender, the Dragons' under-18 player of the year from the Dapto Canaries, utility back Sean Trindall (Shellharbour Stingrays), fullback Judd Stevenson (Corrimal Cougars) and centre James Walsh (Albion Park). Local officials in the Illawarra area are dismayed at the ambush by the Raiders, blaming the Dragons for failing to move on the talented youngsters. "It's very disappointing and you can't blame the kids," one local league coach told "We have put 10 years of hard work into some of these guys. "They are all massive talents but the Dragons just let them go." News of the departures will be seen as another body blow by disappointed Dragons fans. Only a few days ago, it was revealed that just three of the club's top-30 players turned up to the annual awards presentation night in a clear sign of the disharmony in the ranks.