The St George Illawarra Dragons have announced the promotion and contract extension of outside backs Max and Mat Feagai.
The Feagais will be promoted to the Dragons' top squad ahead of the 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership season after signing a one-year extension that will see them now remain at the club until at least the end of 2022.
The Leeton natives have been with the Dragons since Harold Matthews (Under-16s) and have already achieved plenty of success with the Illawarra Steelers' 2019 premiership-winning SG Ball team, New South Wales Under-18s Origin and Australia Schoolboys.
"We are very happy with the decision to extend our stay at the Dragons. We were pretty surprised when we were told that the club were keen to do so. I'm pleased that we can stay here and continue to grow as players," Max said.
"We have come along a way since we first moved to Wollongong with our dad. I'm pretty happy now to see that it was all worthwhile.
"We have always been told the Dragons are a development club so the fact we are continuing to work our way through is very special."
Mat described the faith the Dragons have shown in he and his brother as "a great feeling" given the lack of game time the wider squad have faced in 2020.
"We haven't really had the chance to show what we can do on the field this year with no football available [other than first grade]," Mat said.
"We have always challenged each other and to be able to continue our rugby league careers together is great. It's helpful too because we will always push each other to compete and do our best which makes our journey all the more special."
Director of rugby league pathways and list management Ian Millward expressed his pleasure in the Feagais' commitment to the Dragons.
"Mat and Max were always part of our succession plan for when players like (former Dragon) Tim Lafai were off contract," Millward said.
"They're capable of playing centre and wing, and have been a great addition to our squad over the past 12 months as development players.
"With no lower grade football available, it has provided the elite young players across the NRL to show how they motivate themselves to be the best they possibly can be for when they can play; the Feagais have really done that which is really exciting.
"They have stood out with their attitude and application and have been rewarded accordingly. They have stepped up to the mark every time. Hopefully, we'll see them achieve their first grade debuts and both become permanent fixtures in due time."
The retention of the Feagais follows the re-signings of Josh Kerr, Jackson Ford, Mikaele Ravalawa, Zac Lomax and Adam Clune so far throughout the Dragons' 2020 campaign.
