Merrin carries Dragons finals torch
By MITCH JENNINGS
Aug. 18, 2015, 7:53 p.m.
RUGBY LEAGUE
Ben Creagh and Trent Merrin will be the only two fit remaining players from the 2010 premiership team when the Panthers-bound prop makes an emotional Dragons farewell on home turf in Wollongong on Thursday night.
It will be the last time Merrin wears the Red V at WIN Stadium and it comes as a battered St George Illawarra walk the tightrope to the NRL finals.
With winger Jason Nightingale injured, Creagh is the only remaining teammate of Merrin's left from the famous night St George Illawarra broke their premiership drought with a grand final triumph over the Roosters five years ago.
Creagh has since watched the likes of Matt Cooper, Mark Gasnier, Ben Hornby and Dean Young finish their careers to tears and cheers at WIN Stadium.
But Creagh concedes Merrin's impending exit marks the close of an era for the Dragons.
As if to script, the Test back-rower will play his final game in Wollongong against the team he will join next year in the Dragons' final game at WIN Stadium for the year.
Creagh admits it will be tough to watch him walk off the WIN Stadium turf for the last time in a St George Illawarra jumper.
"It's going to be really sad to see him go," Creagh said.
"I'm pretty good mates with Mez and I've known him a long time.
"It's happened a few times now while I've been playing here and it's never nice seeing one of your mates move on.
"It's probably going to be a pretty emotional night for him on Thursday night playing his last game at WIN Stadium.
"Being a local junior I know how special this place is.
"We played here in grand finals when we were kids and that's all you wanted to do, was try and play first grade on this ground.
"It's going to be a pretty special night for him and hopefully we can send him off with a victory."
Merrin was powerful in his return from a four-week suspension against the Warriors two weeks ago running 197 metres from his 19 carries in a 54-minute stint from the bench that included 34 tackles.
He was equally industrious in the Dragons' last-start loss to the Broncos with 14 runs for 148m and 42 tackles on a tough night for his side.
Merrin will have a big role to play if the Dragons can reach the finals and Creagh said his long-time teammate has made good on a pre-season promise to give his all in his final year with the club.
"He's been in career-best form this year," Creagh said.
"I know he got suspended for a little while there so he's been out of the game for a few weeks, but we all saw what he did in Origin.
"He played great when he was given an opportunity there and he's been playing outstanding for us as well.
"The work he does in attack and defence has been first class, so he's kept his promise to the boys.
"No-one ever questioned what Mez was going to bring to the table.
"He's given his all this season and I know he's going to do everything he can for this team to make sure we're playing finals at the end of the year."
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3288294/merrin-carries-dragons-finals-torch/?cs=302
