St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor admits Dragons are likely to blood Tristan Sailor
Written By Liam O'Loughlin
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Their season is over and with
no chance of a finals appearance, the St George Illawarra Dragons are now hoping to debut a future superstar in the coming weeks in Tristan Sailor.
The 21-year old son of
dual-international Wendell Sailor has been plying his trade in NSW Cup this season and has been the Dragons 18th man in recent weeks.
McGregor admitted on Thursday that they are hoping to get some first grade football under Sailor's belt in the next month, as well as some other guys who are knocking on the door.
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"With Tristan, he's been that 18th man for the last three or four weeks and jumped a few players that have been in that position and have played first grade," he said.
"He needs to hold that form in reserve grade, he's certainly a guy that I feel has a bright future because of the way he approaches training each day.
"We're hoping to get some footy into Tristan before the end of the year if the position opens up.
"We've used a fair few this year. If their form warrants it in reserve grade than yes.
"Josh Kerr is probably the next forward to come back in, and we feel he's got a bright future."
The utility back has been a standout coming through the junior ranks, representing Queensland at the U20s level on two occasions and is gifted with raw speed and some of his father's natural footballing ability.
Sailor has scored 8 tries in reserve grade for the Red V this season to go along with 7 linebreaks and 6 try assists.
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McGregor also touched on the
local derby clash with the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday afternoon, and why the match against their fierce rivals will give his struggling side some extra motivation.
"Form goes out the window when these two teams clash," he said.
"It's important that we become the finals spoilers for the last month of footy. They'll need to win three of their next four.
"This one has a little bit more feel to it. Even the game we played here against them this year we were down to 14 men after half time and they got us at the back end.
"It's always a real, tough grind of a game. This weekend will be no different."
The Dragons sit in 14th position on the NRL ladder heading into Round 22, while the 9th-placed
Sharks are fighting hard for a finals berth in 2019.
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