Trent Merrin

Trent Merrin returns to Dragons

Merrin, 30, spent this year with the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League, but is back with the club he started his career at in 2009.

The former Australia and New South Wales representative played 133 NRL games for the Dragons, including the 2010 Grand Final win, before joining the Penrith Panthers in 2016.

Merrin replaces Luciano Leilua, who was released from the final year of his contract, in the Dragons squad.

Trent Merrin denies Panthers player unrest claims

Merrin defended the club's decisions to let both Cartwright and Matt Moylan go over the summer break, indicating they were not on the same page with the rest of the squad.

Cartwright's exit at the Panthers was considered months in the making, and Merrin said modern day rugby league players were professional enough to adjust to sudden departures and arrivals regardless of when it occurs.

"Within the playing group there is a lot of clarity there," Merrin said ahead of the club's trial with the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night.