Dragons coach Steve Price will thrust firebrand Jack de Belin into starting lock against the Tigers tonight in what could be one of several changes to the named team.
De Belin, who played opening minutes at lock against the Knights and the Bulldogs, will run out onto WIN Jubilee in place of veteran Dean Young, who will start from the bench.
The starting backline for tonights clash remains a mystery, with Beau Scott (corked thigh) and Matt Cooper (ankle) both struggling to train during the week.
Neither participated in yesterdays final session in Wollongong, leaving Daniel Vidot or Josh Miller - both of whom trained yesterday - in line to make their Dragons debut.
The 20-year-old de Belin has been a standout for the Dragons defensively, topping the tackle count for minutes played in the season so far, and proving he is better suited to starting matches than Young because of his size.
Young has also credited the move for prolonging his fitness, after several seasons hindered with a chronic knee injury.
Im feeling good and Im enjoying coming off the bench, Young said.
Im enjoying playing lock and not having to play hooker, and were going to go with that again.
Jacks a lot bigger than what I am and its good to start big. Hopefully when I come on I can use the ball a bit more.
Me and Pricey have both spoken about it and were happy to go that way.
Price has called up several last-minute replacements for injured centres Cooper and Scott.
Nathan Green is an expected replacement for Cooper if the 32-year-old cannot overcome a niggling ankle injury. Scotts right centre replacement is more complex.
The man billed early in the season as a full-time contender for his position, Chase Stanley, hasnt played since suffering a heavy concussion during the Dragons Charity Shield win in February. Stanley will instead travel to Leichhardt tomorrow to line up for the Illawarra Cutters.
That leaves the door open to Canberra recruit Vidot making his debut.
Alternatively, Price could shift Matt Prior out of the second row and into centre, bringing Miller into the starting side to fill his position.
Young was adamant that injury concerns havent affected the Dragons preparations heading into their first home game.
Its not about winning or losing, its about going out there and playing the way the Dragons play, he said.
Both sides dont really like each I other and certainly the fans like getting into it.
For some reason, we always put on a cracker and I know the boys are going to be up for it, especially after last week.
Young revealed that Price was so disappointed in last weeks performance against the Bulldogs that he had rubbished any video evidence.
Pricey chucked out the video the other night and we havent looked at that, he said.
Weve just moved on and worrying about ourselves and worrying about our start.The Dragons have a strong record against the Tigers at Kogarah, winning four out of five games.
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