The St George Illawarra Dragons have been forced to reshuffle their line-up for the final fixture of the season against the Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium, Newcastle on Sunday.
Dragons Head Coach Paul McGregor has named prop Mike Cooper in the starting forward-pack and replaces captain Ben Creagh who will undergo surgery on an ankle injury sustained last round.
Dragons winger Brett Morris has been named captain for the encounter following Creagh's omission.
Furthermore, Kyle Stanley has been named hooker for the away trip after Mitch Rein was charged with a one game suspension by the NRL Match Review Committee.
Fellow Dragons hooker Shane Pumipi has also been named on the interchange alongside Leeson Ah Mau following Jack de Belin’s shift to the second-row.
1. Gerard Beale
2. Brett Morris (c)
3. Josh Dugan
4. Peter Mata’utia
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Benji Marshall
8. Mike Cooper
9. Kyle Stanley
10. Tyson Frizell
11. Jack de Belin
12. Joel Thompson
13. Trent Merrin
14. Shane Pumipi
15. Will Matthews
16. Bronson Harrison
17. Leeson Ah Mau
Unavailable: Ben Creagh (Ankle-Season); Dylan Farrell (Pectoral Muscle-Season); Dan Hunt (Back-Under Observation); Charly Runciman (Thumb-Under Observation); Michael Witt (Knee-Season).
