Barrett, Head return early
By PAUL SUTTOR
February 8, 2005
DRAGONS skipper Trent Barrett and halves partner Mathew Head will make early comebacks in next weekend's Charity Shield showdown with South Sydney.
St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown yesterday selected the duo in his 20-man squad to battle the Bunnies at Aussie Stadium on February 19, along with four rookies yet to play first grade.
Balmain recruit Brett Kelly is the selection bolter in the centres, while hooker Wade Humphreys and back rowers Corey Payne and Lee Te Maari will start from the bench.
Head had a turbulent off-season after contracting pneumonia late last year, while Barrett's availability for the trials was in doubt due to shoulder and knee operations.
Brown said having his first-choice halves on board from the opening whistle was an unexpected boost on the eve of the 2005 campaign.
"They've both been doing all the ball-work sessions and defensive sessions the last few weeks," he said.
Kelly gets his chance due to the absence of centres Mark Gasnier (wrist), Wes Naiqama (foot) and Albert Torrens (suspension) and Brown thought he would handle his first taste at NRL level.
"We bought Kel as a centre or a back rower and we've got three centres down at the moment so he gets a run," he said.
"He's been training really well. It'll be interesting to see him run around in the top grade."
Barrett and a group of senior players pushed Te Maari's selection case after they were impressed with the skill the former North Sydney Bear had shown while training over the summer.
Apart from prop Jason Ryles (shoulder - round three), Gasnier (round 4-5), Naiqama and Torrens (round two), all hands should be on deck by the opening round against the Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium on March 11.
New hooker Michael Ennis (shoulder), winger Reece Simmonds (shoulder), forwards Ben Creagh (thigh), Michael Henderson (shoulder) and Aaron Wheatley (groin and shoulder) are aiming to be fit for the trial against Manly at Albion Park on February 26.
Brown believed Aaron Gorrell, making a return to first grade after two years dogged by knee injuries, looked like he had finally recovered full fitness and would give Ennis stiff competition for the hooking role.
20-man squad: Ben Hornby, Colin Best, Brett Kelly, Matt Cooper, Nick Youngquest, Trent Barrett (c), Mathew Head, Luke Bailey, Aaron Gorrell, Justin Poore, Dean Young, Lance Thompson, Shaun Timmins. Interchange: Ashton Sims, Bryan Norrie, Willie Manu, Corey Payne, Lee Te Maari, Wade Humphreys, Daniel Holdsworth.1. Ben Hornby
Good to see Humphreys still with the team. Only sour note on this side is no place for Greenshields was found. Unlike last year only the 20 players named can take the field, can't wait, should be a good game.
By PAUL SUTTOR
February 8, 2005
DRAGONS skipper Trent Barrett and halves partner Mathew Head will make early comebacks in next weekend's Charity Shield showdown with South Sydney.
St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown yesterday selected the duo in his 20-man squad to battle the Bunnies at Aussie Stadium on February 19, along with four rookies yet to play first grade.
Balmain recruit Brett Kelly is the selection bolter in the centres, while hooker Wade Humphreys and back rowers Corey Payne and Lee Te Maari will start from the bench.
Head had a turbulent off-season after contracting pneumonia late last year, while Barrett's availability for the trials was in doubt due to shoulder and knee operations.
Brown said having his first-choice halves on board from the opening whistle was an unexpected boost on the eve of the 2005 campaign.
"They've both been doing all the ball-work sessions and defensive sessions the last few weeks," he said.
Kelly gets his chance due to the absence of centres Mark Gasnier (wrist), Wes Naiqama (foot) and Albert Torrens (suspension) and Brown thought he would handle his first taste at NRL level.
"We bought Kel as a centre or a back rower and we've got three centres down at the moment so he gets a run," he said.
"He's been training really well. It'll be interesting to see him run around in the top grade."
Barrett and a group of senior players pushed Te Maari's selection case after they were impressed with the skill the former North Sydney Bear had shown while training over the summer.
Apart from prop Jason Ryles (shoulder - round three), Gasnier (round 4-5), Naiqama and Torrens (round two), all hands should be on deck by the opening round against the Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium on March 11.
New hooker Michael Ennis (shoulder), winger Reece Simmonds (shoulder), forwards Ben Creagh (thigh), Michael Henderson (shoulder) and Aaron Wheatley (groin and shoulder) are aiming to be fit for the trial against Manly at Albion Park on February 26.
Brown believed Aaron Gorrell, making a return to first grade after two years dogged by knee injuries, looked like he had finally recovered full fitness and would give Ennis stiff competition for the hooking role.
20-man squad: Ben Hornby, Colin Best, Brett Kelly, Matt Cooper, Nick Youngquest, Trent Barrett (c), Mathew Head, Luke Bailey, Aaron Gorrell, Justin Poore, Dean Young, Lance Thompson, Shaun Timmins. Interchange: Ashton Sims, Bryan Norrie, Willie Manu, Corey Payne, Lee Te Maari, Wade Humphreys, Daniel Holdsworth.1. Ben Hornby
Good to see Humphreys still with the team. Only sour note on this side is no place for Greenshields was found. Unlike last year only the 20 players named can take the field, can't wait, should be a good game.
