Confidence can take you a long way in the NRL.
Based on his first appearance as the new St. George Illawarra No.7, Kade Reed certainly has no shortage of belief heading into his NRL debut against the Roosters on ANZAC Day.
“It’s been an exciting 48 hours for me, definitely feeling good,” Reed told the media on Wednesday.
“The boys and Deano (Dean Young) have all got behind me.”
Having been held back to start 2026 by former Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, who seemed unsure Reed was quite ready for first-grade, the 20-year-old has been instantly thrust into the spotlight by interim coach Dean Young.
Asked if he had any reservations about making his debut in one of the biggest clashes of the NRL home and away season, particularly given the current 0-7 predicament the Dragons find themselves in, Reed couldn’t have been clearer.
“No, not at all, it’s just another game for me,” he declared.
“The boys have been so confident in me and Dean is so confident in me, it just releases (the pressure), they just want me to go out and play my game, it doesn’t both me.
“It’s always been a dream to play NRL, I’ve been waiting my turn and it’s my turn now.
“I had a goal coming into this year that I wanted to play NRL, whether it was early (in the season) or later it didn’t bother me, I just wanted to make sure that when I was called upon I was ready—I’m ready.”
Given his small stature, Reed was asked if he was truly ready to be targeted ruthlessly by the Roosters back rowers in defence?
“Tackling Luc (Luciano Leilua) and (Jaydn) Su’A every day for the last two years has probably helped,” he laughed.
“It doesn’t get a lot harder than those two.”
One thing that could have been very hard was his relationship with outgoing Dragons No.7 Kyle Flanagan, but again Reed said there hadn’t been any awkwardness between the pair, despite a tumultuous few days.
“It’s been fine, Kyle has always been really good to me and still is, he’s obviously disappointed but he’s happy for me at the same time,” Reed said.
“Nothing’s changed between me and Kyle, we’ve always had a good relationship and we still do.”
Reed and the Dragons face the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium in the annual ANZAC Day clash this Saturday afternoon. Kick-off at 4pm.
