St George Illawarra captain Ben Hornby refuses to believe the Dragons are set for an easy path to a preliminary final against battered and banned Manly on Sunday.
Perhaps guarded because of the failures of previous finals, Hornby said he expected a torrid time against the Sea Eagles at yesterday's gathering of finals captains.
That's despite centre Steve Matai facing a seven-week ban for a late and high hit on Bulldogs hooker Michael Ennis and a packed casualty ward.
Full coverage of the Dragons In contrast, Hornby confirmed that the five rested players - including himself - from Sunday night's victory over South Sydney would be fit and firing for the one versus eight showdown at Kogarah's WIN Jubilee Oval.
While the Dragons took out the JJ Giltinan Shield for a second successive season, Manly's play-off place was only secured after the Dragons beat the Bunnies.
But Hornby claims the late reprieve could work in the Sea Eagles' favour.
"I think they've got nothing to lose now," Hornby said.
"They thought they could have been out, now they're going in with the mindset that they're in the finals and will do their best."
With Matai certain to miss the game, Manly could also be without prop Jason King, who faces a one-week ban for a careless high shot.
King's prior record counted against him, while cleanskin Chris Bailey will be free to play if he accepts the early plea for his own high-tackle charge out of Sunday's loss to the Bulldogs.
But their fate rests in the hands of medical and condition staff as well as at the judiciary this week, with a cast of star players struggling with injury.
Test back-rower Anthony Watmough (ankle), Matt Ballin (concussion), Brent Kite (collarbone), Joe Galuvao (groin), Keiran Foran (shoulder) and captain Jamie Lyon (ankle) are all in doubt.
And the Sea Eagles are already without Glenn Stewart (suspension), Shane Rodney and Brett Stewart, who won't play again this year due to knee injuries. Lyon admitted he would not know who is available for some time.
"We have got a few out and it's going to be a really big challenge for us, but we're confident in the players we have still available," Lyon said.
Dragons second-rower Beau Scott was yesterday cleared over a charge at Souths halfback Chris Sandow.
Hornby - who is expected to overcome a hand injury to play on Sunday - cast Manly's woes aside, instead recalling the round 23 clash at Kogarah, which the halfback claimed was the toughest of their season.
The Dragons won 32-10, but only after withstanding a fearsome Manly surge in the first half.
"When we played them during the year, it was probably the toughest game we've played," he said.
"We've got to prepare like it will be again."
Hornby said the Sea Eagles' recent finals record, including winning the 2008 premiership, meant they would be a handful, regardless of who takes the field.
"They've made plenty of finals, so they know how to play in big games," he said in Sydney yesterday.
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