RUGBY LEAGUE
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Saturday night's match with the Panthers shapes up as a must-win for St George Illawarra if they are to have any chance of playing finals football this season.
Coming off the bye, the Dragons have no excuses and are expected to put on an energetic display when they travel to the foot of the mountains.
The club have had a fortnight to forget a disappointing loss to the Cowboys last start and hope Penrith can provide the platform for a late-season run of form.
LIVE BLOG: Dragons v Panthers from 5pm
Dragons second-rower Tyson Frizell doesn't doubt his side's ability to get the job done and knows how important a good result is against the Panthers.
"It should be a tough encounter up there, they did a job on us at our home ground so we are hoping to do the same to them," Frizell said.
"We have gone into the game on the weekend thinking that it is a must-win game so it's a big test for us."
St George Illawarra presently sit third from bottom in 14th on the ladder, four points out of the top eight.
A loss to the Panthers could leave the Dragons all but out of the running for the finals with nine games remaining after this weekend.
Experienced winger Jason Nightingale is aware how vital results are at this stage of the season.
"You just have to look to where we are sitting on the table, if we don't start making a move the season will be gone, so it's a pretty big game this weekend," Nightingale said.
"There is a couple of big games coming up and I think looking towards the bye you are going to have another rest, so it is time to lay it all on the line as far as effort goes."
Today's trip to Centrebet Stadium is followed by a tough clash with the Roosters at home, before the Dragons get some relief with a bye weekend.