If in-demand representative forward Trent Merrin does decide to move on from St George Illawarra, he will do so with the blessing of club captain Ben Creagh.

Merrin, who has a year to run on his current Dragons deal, is being courted by numerous NRL rivals as he looks to cash in as one of the hardest-working forwards in rugby league.

The Dragons are loathe to see Merrin, a local junior who has only known the red and white, walk away – especially having lost star winger, and local product, Brett Morris in the off-season.

However they feel they can’t improve on a reported $1.65 million offer over three years, and recent talk has been about ways to find the talented 25-year-old a new home – including an option to offer him as part of a trade deal.

The 30-year-old Creagh, who debuted for the Dragons in 2003 and is close to Merrin, has his sights set on retiring as a one-club player and has urged Merrin to follow his lead – but he won’t stand in his way if the NSW representative does decide to leave.

“He knows where I stand and how valuable he is to the team but I’ve never preached to him,” Creagh told AAP ahead of the Dragons’ World Club Series showdown with Warrington on Saturday morning AEDT.

“I’ve told him I hope he does stay and what a huge honour it is to play for one team your whole career.

“I know he does want to do that. It seems right for him to stay, and it would be a shame for him to move on.

“But if he does make that decision there’ll be no hard feelings, I’ll totally understand.”

Having seen dynamic winger Morris join twin brother Josh at Canterbury in the off-season, Creagh is familiar with the scenario unfolding before him.

“Brett Morris left at the end of last year and I still speak to him all the time,” Creagh said.

“He lives over my back fence pretty much. I’m still really good mates with him, and I understand that it’s a decision for him and his family how can you hold a grudge over that?”