Stars of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – twins Toby and Ryan Couchman – have signed new two-year extensions with St George Illawarra Dragons.
The pair are Thirroul Butchers juniors, who have progressed through the club's pathways system with Ryan earning an Australian Schoolboys jersey in 2021, while still at Bulli High.
Toby (pictured above) was named in the NSW Under 19s State of Origin side in 2022 with teammates, and now established NRL players, Paul Alamoti and Jack Bostock.
The brothers signed a two-year contract in March 2023 and today re-signed for another two years until the end of 2027.
Toby played nine NSW Cup games this year, alongside 11 NRL matches including 22 tackle-busts, eight offloads, and 97.4% tackle efficiency. He has 26 NRL games in total.
He made his NSW Cup debut in 2022 after playing 13 games in Jersey Flegg Cup and a whole season in UNE SG Ball Cup (Under 19s) for the Illawarra Steelers.
Toby made his NRL debut in Round Two 2023 winning the Dragons NRL Emerging Talent award (Geoff Selby Memorial Trophy).
Ryan has played 11 NRL games over the past two seasons. He played SLE Laurie Daley Cup (U18s) in 2021 for the Illawarra South Coast Dragons, before making his NSW Cup debut in 2023 and playing 14 games in 2024.
Ryan made his NRL debut in Round 23, 2023 and has played 11 games in total – six in 2024.
“This club means a lot to Ryan and I, so we're excited to have sorted out our future here,” Toby told dragons.com.au
“We grew up supporting the Dragons. It's such a special feeling playing here and I know that the best is yet to come.”
