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Round 12 v Tigers

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
Beale back to boost badly-depleted Dragons
Fraser BartonAAP
Mon, 24 May 2021 3:38PM
8d0493b77d2c81f7e6cfb30b463c189eb7c2c3c0-16x9-x0y0w1280h720.jpg

Ex-Kiwis centre Gerard Beale is in line for a return to the NRL with St George Illawarra. Credit: AAP
After hanging up the boots in 2020, former New Zealand international Gerard Beale is back in the NRL fold amid an injury and suspension crisis at St George Illawarra.

The 30-year-old premiership winner with Cronulla has appeared six times for the Brisbane Tigers in the Intrust Super Cup this year, and returns to the NRL on a sign and train deal with the Dragons.

Some familiar faces welcomed the 12-year veteran to his sixth NRL club as he reunited with former teammates Jack Bird, Andrew Mcullough, Ben Hunt and coach Anthony Griffin.

After calling it quits in 2020 due to ongoing injuries following three season at the Warriors, a successful stint in the Queensland Cup has rewarded Beale with another shot at the highest level.

"Playing in the Queensland Cup really ignited that (desire)," said Beale, a premiership winner with Cronulla in 2016.

"I really did find it - the real love and passion for it (NRL) again.

"Just because at the Warriors, the past three years I did have a couple of big injuries which probably dented a bit of my confidence and all that but it has been really refreshing and I'm happy to be in the environment now, especially with some familiar faces.

Beale's inclusion is timely for a depleted Dragons outfit on the injury and suspension front.

Matt Dufty (shoulder) and Cameron McInnes (ACL) are out indefinitely, with fellow back Zac Lomax is expected to return in round 14 following a thumb injury.

Mikaele Ravalawa, Tyrell Fuimaono, Josh McGuire are all suspended, along with Josh Kerr who joins them this week after taking an early guilty plea for a shoulder charge in round 11.

Beale says morale remains high around the playing group.

"Coming in, knowing the challenges that they're having at the moment I thought (there) might be a bit of frustration here and there, but they've been really great I think Hook (Griffin) is really keeping the team focused on what's important," he said.

"(They're) definitely doing it tough at the moment.- the boys, so I'm happy to help wherever that is.

"Whatever Hook decides I'll be ready."


https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-league/beale-back-to-boost-badly-depleted-dragons-c-2919841
 

SGMax

Juniors
Messages
441
We need Ramsay to get through his HIA issue.
If Ramsay plays it will be
1 Ramsay
2 Pereira
3 Bird
4 Beale
5 Max
6 Norman
7 Hunt
13 Poasa
12 Sims
11 Burns
10 Vaughn
9 McCullough
8 Lawrie

Bench: Alvaro / Ellis / Ford / Williame
Reserves: Clune / Sullivan / Amone / J.Hunt (if fit)

Thats everyone except for Billy Brittain

If Ramsay is out, Amone is likely to be at centre or on the bench.
 

SGMax

Juniors
Messages
441
Good to see Jayden Hunt recovered from the HIA and good that he was preferred over Ellis.
Not sure what's happened to Max Feagai, out of the team completely.
Max has been Ok and it must be an injury.??
Dragons are close to the bone as far as troops. A couple should come back each week from here.
 

Smurf

Juniors
Messages
1,489
Good to see Jayden Hunt recovered from the HIA and good that he was preferred over Ellis.
Not sure what's happened to Max Feagai, out of the team completely.
Max has been Ok and it must be an injury.??
Dragons are close to the bone as far as troops. A couple should come back each week from here.
HIA I believe
 

Maddragon99

Juniors
Messages
2,075
Good to see Jayden Hunt recovered from the HIA and good that he was preferred over Ellis.
Not sure what's happened to Max Feagai, out of the team completely.
Max has been Ok and it must be an injury.??
Dragons are close to the bone as far as troops. A couple should come back each week from here.
Max has a calf strain
 

borat

Bench
Messages
3,511
Good to see Jayden Hunt recovered from the HIA and good that he was preferred over Ellis.
Not sure what's happened to Max Feagai, out of the team completely.
Max has been Ok and it must be an injury.??
Dragons are close to the bone as far as troops. A couple should come back each week from here.
Being named means nothing
 

Maddragon99

Juniors
Messages
2,075
It would be the slowest backline in the nrl.
On balance this would have to be one of the worst backlines we’ve ever fielded in the JV era. Ramsey, Bird & Hunt are obvious starters, but seriously? The rest wouldn’t make first grade anywhere else.

JP: honest player but not a finisher
Beale: signed from the scrap heap
Williame: not a first grade player
Norman: worst 5/8 in the comp

There is still Sloan & Sauni-Esau in reserve.

Overall I’ve been happy with Hook but he’s very conservative with team selections. That’s fine except we’ve lost 5 out 6 with his approach.

Why keep picking Norman? I don’t get it.

Why sign a washed up Beale?

Another loss this Friday surely there’s got to be a rethink, soon we’ll have blokes on Zimmer frames out there.

Blood the youth we’ve lost 5 out of 6 anyway what is there to lose?
 
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