DRAGONS coach Paul McGregor has sprung a selection surprise, shifting big-money half Corey Norman to fullback to hand 24-year-old Adam Clune a top-grade debut.
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Norman and halves partner Ben Hunt wore the brunt of criticism following their side's dismal return effort against the Warriors last week, with the Dragons looking rudderless in an 18-0 defeat.
Both were facing the axe, with McGregor instead opting to drop fullback Matt Dufty from his 17 and shift Norman to the custodian role.
He will be the third man to don the No. 1 jumper in four games, with young-gun Zac Lomax playing at the back in round one before Dufty earned a recall for a round-two loss to the Panthers.
Clune will now partner Hunt in the halves, with McGregor resisting calls to shift his marquee man to the bench utility role in which he's excelled at Test and Origin level.
The Albion Park product's selection is a reward for persistence, with the 24-year-old having been in and out of the Dragons top squad since first featuring for the club in the NYC.
It follows a stellar 2019 season that saw him notch 28 try-assists in 22 outings to earn a spot in the NSW Cup Team of the Year and a one-year development deal for 2020.
He was elevated to the top 30 on the back of a strong preseason and will get a long-awaited crack at the top grade in a bold call from McGregor whose job is reportedly be on the line over the next fortnight.
Josh Kerr has been elevated to the starting line-up in place of Korbin Sims, who was left out of the squad, while veterans Trent Merrin and Issac Luke have been recalled to interchange bench after being overlooked for the Warriors clash.
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Blake Lawrie and Euan Aitken have retained their spots in the 17 with Tyrell Fuimaono named on an extended bench with Dufty, Jacob Host and Jackson Ford.
Dogs coach Dean Pay is in the same boat as his former Origin teammate, with his side also 0-3 and coming off a disappointing last-start showing against Manly.
He'll be hoping the return of Keiran Foran from off-season shoulder surgery will spark his side in place of Jack Cogger.