St George Illawarra’s All Star winger Jason Nightingale admits having no idea who will form the Dragons’ right-sided strike force when the NRL season kicks off next month.
Coach Steve Price is sweating on Chase Stanley being fit for next week’s Charity Shield to gain valuable game time before the round one blockbuster against Wayne Bennett’s Newcastle.
Stanley is on the comeback trail from a knee reconstruction and may be forced to play in the NSW Cup if he fails to take the field against South Sydney on Saturday week.
Full coverage of the DragonsThe Dragons squad arrived in Perth yesterday afternoon to prepare for Saturday’s trial against North Queensland, with NSW representative Beau Scott, the versatile Matt Prior and young gun Nathan Green auditioning for the centre role.
Nightingale has been rested for the Cowboys game, but will return in the Charity Shield expecting to know more about who will fill Mark Gasnier’s shoes.
‘‘There’s not really any expectations,’’ Nightingale said.
‘‘We’ve spent a bit of time training together, but obviously with people still in rehab and people off their feet at different times during the week, it’s hard to know the exact combinations.
‘‘I think the Charity Shield and Perth trial will give them an opportunity to get a few more formations right.
‘‘I’d say we’ll go out with a fair idea of what we’re doing for round one [in the Charity Shield].’’
Price yesterday said he was yet to make a decision.
‘‘It’s a good question,’’ the coach replied when asked who would partner Matt Cooper in the centres.
‘‘A number of guys in Nick Emmett and Beau Scott will get an opportunity.
‘‘We’ll make that [final] decision after the Charity Shield leading into round one.’’
Stanley has not played in almost 12 months, after injuring his knee during Melbourne’s round one game in 2011.
Scott has spent much of his career in the second row, but was picked as a centre for NSW and could make the permanent shift.
Prior has already revealed he will play on the edge this season after being at lock under Bennett.
Nightingale said Prior was versatile enough to make the switch into the centres.
The Kiwi international said the new combinations would take time to develop.
‘‘They’ll be different after losing Darius [Boyd], Gaz and a couple of other people,’’ he said.
‘‘Bronx [Goodwin] is coming back from his knee, Chase coming back from his knee, they’re getting close, but hopefully they get a trial.’’
Goodwin, who has overcome a knee reconstruction, said he would be fit to return to the NSW Cup for round one after Kyle Stanley was made Price’s first choice fullback.
‘‘I’ve come back to training and I’m one of the fittest in the club now,’’ Goodwin said.
‘‘ ... I’m probably going to make a comeback round one and come back through NSW Cup.
‘‘I’m ready to go.’'
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