DevilDragon
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Bailey hoping to be back for finals
28 July 2004
Luke Bailey is poised to add some class to St George Illawarra's premiership campaign by returning before the finals.
Bailey has been sidelined since round nine with a torn pectoral muscle, an injury which cost him his NSW jersey and the better part of the season.
But the 24-year-old will see a specialist in five weeks and is optimistic he will be cleared to make his return in round 26 for St George Illawarra's Premier League side - the Dragons have the bye in first grade.
Provided he gets through that match unscathed, Bailey will waltz into Nathan Brown's side for the finals series.
"I still have to get a clearance," Bailey said today.
"He (The specialist) said I am looking alright. He's said he's thinking of letting me play.
"I have been out for so long. It's been quite frustrating.
"When we win comfortably it's not too bad but when we're in a tight game, that's when you think you could help the team.
"The two games against the (Sydney) Roosters, they were tight games."
Bailey said the specialist had indicated he would prefer to see the Kangaroos front rower wait until the first week of the finals to launch his comeback.
But Bailey is reticent to go into the finals without a game under his belt, preferring to get his toes wet in Premier League.
"I think it's a big step jumping in the pool when you can't swim, jumping into the semi-finals," he said.
There's only one potential snag in Bailey's grand plan - the Dragons are yet to book a place in the finals.
But the odds are certainly in their favour, with the club needing to win only two of its remaining five games.
The Dragons also have their second bye to come.
"I think this is the best position we have been in for the last couple of years," Bailey said.
"We have a bye up our sleeve and it's probably not a bad draw. If we get our full team on the park we're going to be pretty good."
Hoping all goes well and this isn't another Saints crystal ball prediction. A very exciting prospect back for the finals.
28 July 2004
Luke Bailey is poised to add some class to St George Illawarra's premiership campaign by returning before the finals.
Bailey has been sidelined since round nine with a torn pectoral muscle, an injury which cost him his NSW jersey and the better part of the season.
But the 24-year-old will see a specialist in five weeks and is optimistic he will be cleared to make his return in round 26 for St George Illawarra's Premier League side - the Dragons have the bye in first grade.
Provided he gets through that match unscathed, Bailey will waltz into Nathan Brown's side for the finals series.
"I still have to get a clearance," Bailey said today.
"He (The specialist) said I am looking alright. He's said he's thinking of letting me play.
"I have been out for so long. It's been quite frustrating.
"When we win comfortably it's not too bad but when we're in a tight game, that's when you think you could help the team.
"The two games against the (Sydney) Roosters, they were tight games."
Bailey said the specialist had indicated he would prefer to see the Kangaroos front rower wait until the first week of the finals to launch his comeback.
But Bailey is reticent to go into the finals without a game under his belt, preferring to get his toes wet in Premier League.
"I think it's a big step jumping in the pool when you can't swim, jumping into the semi-finals," he said.
There's only one potential snag in Bailey's grand plan - the Dragons are yet to book a place in the finals.
But the odds are certainly in their favour, with the club needing to win only two of its remaining five games.
The Dragons also have their second bye to come.
"I think this is the best position we have been in for the last couple of years," Bailey said.
"We have a bye up our sleeve and it's probably not a bad draw. If we get our full team on the park we're going to be pretty good."
Hoping all goes well and this isn't another Saints crystal ball prediction. A very exciting prospect back for the finals.
