Keep faith
By TIM BARROW
March 17, 2016, 2:29 p.m.
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UNDER fire fullback Kurt Mann could yet by a surprise inclusion for St George Illawarra in Sunday’s SCG showdown with South Sydney.
Amid heavy criticism of Mann’s form in the opening two games, the ex-Storm player was not named by coach Paul McGregor because of an ankle complaint. But in a video on the Dragons website, the head of medical and performance Tony Ayoub said Mann is likely to prove his fitness, after suffering a grade one ankle sprain.
“We’re fairly confident he’s going to take his place, where ever that may be,” Ayoub said.
“But we definitely think he’ll do a captain’s run on the weekend and follow it up with a game after that.”
The Dragons will have their captain’s run on Saturday morning at WIN Stadium, as Josh Dugan also needs to prove his fitness after suffering a hamstring strain against the Sharks.
However, the NSW Cup Illawarra Cutters team take on North Sydney in Wollongong on Saturday, meaning, if he trains, Mann would likely be in the NRL team to take the Rabbitohs on Sunday.
Dugan has backed Mann to prove himself.
“I dont think he played badly against Melbourne, but last week, that was one of those games,” Dugan said.
“Everyone has those games where nothing sticks and the bounce of the ball doesn’t go your way.
“People are quick to forget he hasn’t played fullback for three or four years.
“He’s got a lot of pressure, he’s under the spotlight there.
“He had a bit of a shocker, but but I’m expecting him to come back bigger and better.”
Scans revealed there was no tear for Dugan, meaning the NSW State of Origin star and Mann may both be fit.
“I’m probably lucky the physio did drag me off,” Dugan said. “I was telling him to leave me alone, but he just dragged me off.”
Mann felt the weight of Sunday’s loss on his shoulders, Dugan said, after making a couple of crucial errors.
“We all rallied around him after the game, because he felt like he let the team down,” he said.
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