RUGBY LEAGUE
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St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor believes the return of star back-rowers Joel Thompson, Tyson Frizell and Jack de Belin heralds the return of the "Dragons footy" that saw his side entrenched in the top four over the opening half of the season.
Thompson hasn't played since limping off the field in the Dragons' round-16 loss to the Eels, while Frizell has missed the past two games with a niggling back problem.
De Belin also hasn't played for the Dragons since round 15 after being laid low by a knee infection that required hospitalisation and a painful month on the sidelines.
All three completed Friday's captain's run unhindered and are expected to line up against the Rabbitohs at the SCG on Saturday.
With Trent Merrin facing a further three weeks on the sideline, the return of his all-rep back row is a boost as the Dragons look to halt a five-game losing streak.
The Dragons built their early season success on defensive grit and tough, grinding football.
McGregor said no players better epitomise those qualities than the returning trio.
"I think the chemistry's right when Joel, Friz and Jack are there because they're a big part of our footy team," McGregor said.
"That's not to say anyone in the squad's not but they were at the top of their game before they got injured. Both [Thompson and Frizell] were on the fringe of playing Origin. Jack de Belin to me epitomises Origin football and he plays that way every single week, so certainly those three bring a good mixture of energy and desire and accountability. All the things you want in a rugby league player they've got it in bucketloads.
"This week those guys are back. Whether we get it right tomorrow night, time will tell, but we need to go back to playing the Dragons style that made us successful and that was working hard, competing on every play.
"That's what those guys bring."
The Dragons will also welcome back Benji Marshall from a minor hamstring strain, while Josh Dugan will play his first game since the Blues' crushing defeat at the hands of the Maroons in Origin III. McGregor said his fullback was in a positive state of mind after missing last Sunday's loss to Cronulla.
"He needed the rest," McGregor said.
"We spoke about it together and there was just no way in the world he'd have been anywhere near his best last weekend.
"The 13 days off have done him the world of good.
"He's a big-game player and this is a big game for the club.
"He's also a team player and he'll play an important role on Saturday night."