WIN TV: Price and Nightingale

WIN TV Cairns checked in with Head Coach Steve Price and winger Jason Nightingale this morning as the Dragons prepare to take to the field on Saturday at Barlow Park, Cairns, against the North Queensland Cowboys.

As part of their week-long camp in the far north Queensland city, the Dragons have been training daily to help condition themselves for the warmer climate and honing their skills ahead of the fixture.

Price admits it will be the first opportunity for him to observe his players in a competitive fixture leading into the 2013 season.

One off-season signing expected to take to the field for the first time in the famous Red V this week is fullback Gerard Beale.

“It’s a great opportunity for all 25-players who travelled up here to get an opportunity to show what they’ve been working on during the pre-season.

“It’s important that we go out there and compete very hard and show the skills that we’ve been working on to carry out on to the field.

“Beale’s an exciting talent and works extremely hard on his game.

“He brings a certain element that we sort of lacked at different stages last year including great special awareness of the football.”

Joining Beale in pushing for an opportunity to impress the Coach are new recruits Bronson Harrison and Josh Drinkwater, while NYC graduates Charly Runciman and Adam Quinlan will be eager to perform in a first-grade trial.

Since arriving in Cairns on Monday, Price says he's been impressed by the level of support for the Dragons from local St George Illawarra fans leading up to the match.

“The guys are excited to be playing the Cowboys so hopefully we can get a big crowd turn out for a good spectacle," said Price.

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