Dragons coach Wayne Bennett has handed retiring hooker Luke Priddis a farewell game in the final-round showdown with South Sydney at Kogarah on Sunday night.
Priddis, who confirmed his retirement yesterday after 14 seasons at the top, originally was named on an extended eight-man bench to play Souths.
But the Mercury understands the 33-year-old will be in the line-up for what could be a life-or-death battle for the Bunnies.
Full coverage of the Dragons Priddis declared yesterday he would use the selection to press his claims to be part of St George Illawarra's premiership charge - not just as a farewell game.
"It would be nice [to play]," Priddis said about the prospect of his selection. "It's been disappointing to be missing out in the last few weeks.
"Obviously, Wayne's had his own thoughts on that and he's the coach ... that's what he's paid to do.
"But I've still been training hard and hanging in there. Maybe we've got one or two injuries this week, so I'll get a final game.
"I've still got four weeks through the semi-finals and, hopefully, there's an opportunity for me in there somewhere. But I'll get the kids to come to this last game just in case."
Asked by Bennett to hang up the boots at the end of last season, Priddis has played 19 games this year after Nathan Fien broke his ankle in round one.
Fien's return seemingly signalled the end of Priddis' career, however it is believed experienced forward Dean Young is likely to be rested on Sunday, which would allow Priddis to play.
The clash could be crucial to the make-up of the top eight, with Souths still a chance to qualify for the finals - if they beat the Dragons and Canberra lose to Brisbane tomorrow night.
The former Australian and NSW hooker, who won premierships with Bennett at the Broncos in 2000 and under John Lang at Penrith in 2003, will start a financial planning career after football.
He will also have more time to focus on the Luke Priddis Foundation, which raises money for children with autism - a condition that his son, Cooper, lives with.
"I got to represent my state and my country and obviously winning two grand finals is the pinnacle," he said.
"A lot of great players have gone through their career without winning one, so I'm blessed to have won two.
"Hopefully, something happens here [at the Dragons] and I get the chance to go out with a third [premiership] ring."
Priddis revealed he went looking for a one-year deal with another Sydney club to prolong his 314-game career.
"With my good form as I was going through the season I did half think about trying to source out another club, but I think it's time to spend some time with my family," he said.
Set to wear the No 21 on his back against Souths on Sunday, Priddis said it also reflected the age he felt after playing just one of the last four games. "Having a bit of a rest over the last few weeks as well has really freshened me up," he said.
Priddis joins a list of players with distinguished careers to retire at the end of the season, including Bulldogs halfback Brett Kimmorley and fullback Luke Patten and Newcastle warhorse Steve Simpson.
Bennett praised Priddis' resolve this year after telling him to call it a day during the off-season.
"A lot of the Dragons success this season can be put down to Luke," Bennett said.
"To see the way he has played and carried himself this year is a real credit to him - particularly after I had sat down with him at the end of last year and suggested he may want to think about retiring.
"For him to respond and play like he has and do what he has done this year for the club shows what type of man he is."
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