RUGBY LEAGUE
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Dragons coach Steve Price appears to have shelved plans for livewire utility Adam Quinlan to fill the No 7 jersey after naming veteran Michael Witt at halfback for Monday's clash with the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park.
Quinlan, who will make the trip to Melbourne as part of an extended six-man bench named on Tuesday, was a surprise selection at halfback for the Rabbitohs match last week.
But Price has made short work of the experiment, opting for the experience of Witt as the Dragons look to avoid a third straight defeat.
Should he play as named it will be Witt's first NRL game since dislocating his shoulder in the Dragons round-one victory over the Wests Tigers.
The Dragons have also re-shuffled their forward pack to cover the loss of Jack de Belin, who will miss a week after entering an early guilty plea to a grade one dangerous throw on Souths lock Sam Burgess.
Winger Jason Nightingale will play after escaping suspension with an early guilty plea to a grade one careless high tackle on Apisai Koroisau in the second half of Saturday night's loss to the Rabbitohs.
De Belin was among the Dragons' best in the loss to the Rabbitohs, scoring a try and running for 107 metres, and his omission is a blow to the Dragons.
Jack Stockwell has been named to start in de Belin's absence with Josh Ailaomai earning his first NRL call-up since joining the Dragons on the extended interchange bench.
Veteran back-rower Bronson Harrison also appears likely to make his first NRL appearance of the year after being named in the No 14 jumper.