Dragons 2018: Nicholls to make long-awaited NRL debut

The 29-year-old will become of the oldest debutants in recent NRL history when he runs out at AAMI Park in the No. 7 jumper as a replacement for the Origin-tied Ben Hunt.

The Holy Cross Rhinos product has never been out of work as a player, having been fulltime at South Sydney, Brisbane and Penrith, though a top-grade debut has proven elusive.

That will change on Thursday, with McGregor going with Nicholls despite having utility Kurt Mann and young-gun Jai Field as options.

“It’s outstanding. Number one, he’s a really good person and you can see why he’s been in so many [full-time] systems, because of that,” McGregor said.

“He works hard at training, he’s perfect to have in a squad when you’re playing opposed and get the reserve grade throw the opposition attack at you. He does that very well. For me he’s a genuine halfback, he’s got a great kicking game, defensively he’s improved out of sight this year.

“There’s not better person to get the reward than Dessy on Thursday.  It’s certainly a good opportunity for a lot of our players who’ve been waiting for this chance around Origin time.

“There’s a lot of excitement in the shed and those guys who’ve been waiting for the opportunity need to go out there and really give their all.”

It’s been a decade in the making for Nicholls who will be the oldest debut half of the NRL era.

"It's been a journey for me,” Nicholls said..

‘‘I think as a footy player you can always imagine yourself playing the top grade and there are times where there are injuries and you think it could be your go.

‘‘Ben has been good for numerous years and when I signed here I knew there would be an opportunity around Origin time and that sort of stuff. It came into my decision to come here.’’

Nicholls gets the chance in the absence of Hunt, who was dumped as Maroons halfback after wearing the brunt of criticism for Queensland’s 2-0 series loss.

He has been retained as a bench utility, with Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans to wear the No. 7. It’s a move at odds with the Maroons often espoused ‘pick-and-stick policy, something McGregor hinted at on Wednesday.

‘‘Looks like it, doesn’t it? They haven’t lost for a while so I think losing challenges them in all different areas,” he said.

“I’m happy for NSW because I’m a New South Welshman, but I am certainly disappointed on an individual basis for Benny. Would I have made the change? No, definitely not, but it’s not up to me.

“He will do a very good job off the interchange. With Benny coming on in that dummy half - which one would think - he could cause some trouble late in the game.

‘It gives Queensland a different dimension but I still feel that Benny didn’t do enough wrong [to be dropped] but I’m not a selector and I’m not a Queenslander.

“He’s had some very good games for our club and when he comes back, which will be after this game, he’s got eight weeks to finish the season how he’s played the first two thirds of it.’’