Dragons coach Steve Price's decision to stock up on heavy artillery could prove a masterstroke after it was revealed star prop Dan Hunt will miss the start of the NRL season.
Hunt suffered rib damage in the trial loss to North Queensland in Perth and it was confirmed yesterday he will be out for at least six weeks.
Price copped a further blow with Melbourne recruit Atelea Vea set to be sidelined for a month with a medial knee strain.
In his vision for the post-Wayne Bennett era, 34-year-old Price identified the need to sign a group of big and mobile forwards to back up Hunt and NSW duo Michael Weyman and Trent Merrin.
Vea had shown immense potential during the preseason slog and hit-outs against the Cowboys and Bulldogs.
Full coverage of the DragonsBut Price's move to also secure Jeremy Latimore from the Warriors, Will Matthews from the Gold Coast, Leeson Ah Mau (Cowboys), Josh Miller (Canberra) and veteran Ray Cashmere (Cowboys) means St George Illawarra can handle significant casualties.
Suddenly, the Charity Shield has new significance for the fresh faces as the door opens for a place in the Dragons team to take on Bennett's Newcastle Knights for the first time on March 3.
Hunt won't be available until at least round four against premiers Manly.
His omission allows Merrin to take the step up as a regular starter after a stunning season last year which included NSW State of Origin selection.
The Dragons are expected to name captain Ben Hornby and experienced lock and hooker Dean Young in the Charity Shield squad.
Hornby is yet to play this year as he nurses a thigh strain while Young will test his troublesome knee for the first time at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
Price is also hoping Chase Stanley will play for the first time in almost 12 months as he tests his right-sided combinations for the NRL season.
Stanley is a contender for the centre position left vacant by Mark Gasnier's retirement.
The versatile Matt Prior and tough-tackling second-rower Beau Scott will battle for that spot in round one if Stanley fails to prove his fitness.
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