The Dragons will head into the off-season without an established No. 7 after McGregor confirmed Benji Marshall will depart at season’s end. The Albion Park-Oak Flats junior has long been touted as a long-term half for the club but Marshall’s promised swansong and the fact the Illawarra Cutters begin their finals campaign next week, will keep him to one top-grade appearance this year.

A strong performance would certainly provide food or thought but McGregor said he just wants to see the Junior Kangaroos rep play his natural game on Monday.

“Obviously we’d like to see how Drew goes but by no means is this [a test] to see if he’s the halfback next year,” McGregor said.

“He’ll have another preseason and this is just an opportunity for Drew to get another taste of first grade. It gives Gareth [Widdop] a good opportunity as well to play with a younger kid and between them take that ownership of the seven and six role.”

Hutchison endured a tough initiation in his three NRL games last season a the Dragons battled injury and poor form. McGregor has previously opted for experienced recruit Josh McCrone in Marshall’s absence this season and makes no apologies for bringing Hutchison on slowly.

“The Cronulla game [last year] was pretty hard on him because I think we had 11 players out,” McGregor said. 

“It’s pretty hard for a young half to come in and be dominant when you haven’t got a forward pack in front of you. The game against the Tigers we led quite comfortably up until the last 20 minutes and he played an important role in that and showed some really good signs.

“As all young players do he’s got stuff to work on in his game and he’s got to work closely with the performance staff and the coaches and he’s doing that. Certainly going forward with another tough preseason and some time out there as more of a leader will be great for him in three month’s time. 

“That’s also the beauty of having people like Gareth and Benji at your club, they get tutored by people that are very experienced players and Josh McCrone is a another one. Drew’s had that good fortune that he’s been able to be an understudy to those guys and now it’s his turn to get a game and play well.”

Monday’s clash will also see the top-grade return of Tim Lafai who hasn’t played since being dropped for the club’s round 20 clash with the Tigers. He was subsequently charged, along with teammate Siliva Havili, with affray and offensive behaviour after a drunken night out in Wollongong.

The pair were briefly stood down before a push from the playing group saw them re-instated ahead of their September 6 court date. McGregor said Lafai will be keen to repay his teammates for their support on Monday.

“Timmy’s had a few injuries this year and been suspended but to see him back in first grade is exciting,” McGregor said.

“I’m sure he’s looking forward to repaying the players and the club when gets on the field out there on Monday night. They stuck really solid with him through those tough times and you reward that through your performance when you get a chance. 

“Tim’s an exciting player and he was brought to the club to make a difference in the back-line and he’ll get that opportunity on Monday night to really finish the year strong. It’s important you show the best version of yourself in the last few games because that’s your lasting impression.”