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 Morris may be fit for Bulldogs showdown 

Morris may be fit for Bulldogs showdown

16 Feb, 2010 03:00 AM
After lighting up WIN Stadium with his try-scoring brilliance last year, Australian representative winger Brett Morris could take his first tentative steps into the new season in Saturday's Mercury Challenge in Wollongong.

Recovering from a groin injury sustained in the triumphant Four Nations series in England, Morris was rested from St George Illawarra's opening trial game against Parramatta in Perth on Sunday.

But Dragons assistant coach Steve Price - who oversaw the team's 34-20 victory over the Eels while Wayne Bennett was with the NRL All Stars on the Gold Coast - yesterday revealed Morris was a chance of lining up against the Bulldogs.

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    "He's pretty close, there's a fair chance he will get some minutes," Price said.

    "Seeing as he went on the tour, his pre-season started a bit later, so it's just been about getting the volume of running in his legs.

    "But he's pretty close and we'll make a decision during the week."

    Morris scored 28 tries last year to win the NRL's award for the leading tryscorer.

    He was three tries ahead of his brother Josh, who was a standout for the Bulldogs last season.

    However, the injury ruled Morris out of contention to play in the All Stars game.

    It was in last year's Mercury Challenge that the Morris brothers faced off for the first time, after Josh announced his switch to Canterbury-Bankstown.

    While Brett may be fit, prop Michael Weyman, battling a groin problem, is unlikely to line up in Saturday night's trial.

    Jason Nightingale was a standout on the wing for the Dragons on Sunday, scoring a try and setting up another in the win over the Eels.

    Price was also impressed by the performances of several of his young stars: halfback Beau Henry, second-rower Jake Marketo and five-eighth Kyle Stanley.

    Marketo scored a try after receiving a pass from Henry, which was earlier created by Stanley's chip-and-chase.

    "Jake played 60 minutes and Beau and Kyle played more, they were great," Price said.

    "For our first hit-out the signs were all promising."

    Meanwhile, the under 20s lost their trial against Cairns-based Northern Pride on Saturday.

    The young Dragons led 18-8, but were eventually beaten 20-18.

    They will take on the Bulldogs in a trial before the NRL clash at WIN Stadium on Saturday.

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    Brett Morris may line up against the Bulldogs on Saturday despite a recent groin injury.
    Brett Morris may line up against the Bulldogs on Saturday despite a recent groin injury.

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