The St George Illawarra Dragons will host the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in their hundredth first-grade fixture at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Saturday.
Head Coach Paul McGregor has named an 18-man squad for the match which sees prop George Rose, who was omitted last round due to the birth of his first child, named on a five-man interchange.
McGregor was Dragons co-captain for the inaugural fixture at the venue against the North Sydney Bears in round 5 of the 1999 campaign and is expecting a tough encounter come game day.
“The entire team are excited to be able to return and play in front of our home supporters in Wollongong,” said McGregor.
“There have been some memorable matches played at WIN Stadium over the years and to have both captained the team for our inaugural game here and now serve as coach for this milestone is something special.
“The focus though is preparing for the Sea Eagles which is always a tough challenge but one that the entire playing group is looking forward to.”
1. Josh Dugan
2. Eto Nabuli
3. Euan Aitken
4. Dylan Farrell
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Benji Marshall
8. Leeson Ah Mau
9. Mitch Rein
10. Mike Cooper
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Joel Thompson
13. Trent Merrin
14. Rory O’Brien
15. Jack de Belin
16. Jake Marketo
17. Heath L’Estrange
20. George Rose
Unavailable: Ben Creagh (Back - Round 7); Dan Hunt (Knee - TBC); Will Matthews (Suspension - Round 5).
Furthermore, Dane Nielsen has not been named in any team this week due to a breach of the Club's Code of Conduct and the NRL Integrity Unit has been informed.
The Dragons will also be holding a special Community Open Day at WIN Stadium, Wollongong this Wednesday!
Red V Members and supporters alike are invited to watch the Dragons train on their home turf between 5.00pm-7.00pm ahead of clash against the Sea Eagles on Saturday.
The Dragons NRL squad will take on the Illawarra Cutters in an opposed training session with all the players to meet and mingle with Red V Members and supporters alike after the session is complete.
