Gerald Beale prepared for Dragons crash course after arriving in Wollongong

First at the Dragons, then at Cronulla after the pair moved north, a young Bird did everything he could do to emulate his senior teammate as he attempted to break into first grade.

This week, the roles will reverse. Now Bird is the teacher and Beale the student and he's about to get a crash course in the St George Illawarra playing style.

Read more: Grida ruled out of Melbourne United showdown

With the Dragons battling a suspension and injury crisis, the veteran centre was rushed into Wollongong on Tuesday. This despite retiring from the NRL at the end of last season.

Beale has been named in jumper no. 21 for Friday night's clash with the Sharks, an outside chance of lining up just three days after signing a training contract with the club and Bird couldn't be happier to have his old mentor back by his side.

"When I moved to the Sharks I was real close with him," Bird said. "I learned a lot off him at the Sharks and in my first pre-season here.

"We're close friends, he was someone I looked up to because I played centre when I moved to the Sharks. He's a player you love playing with and enjoy playing with, I'm really looking forward to playing with him again."

While Beale has been named in the reserves this week, it likely won't be long before he gets the chance to run out for the Dragons.

Despite retiring from the NRL at the end of last season, the 30-year-old has been playing at a high level for the Brisbane Tigers in the Queensland Cup.

This after a career that featured 194 first grade games, 11 Test matches for New Zealand and a premiership alongside Bird at Cronulla.

Beale is the latest former Bronco to make the shift to Wollongong, the centre coached by Anthony Griffin early in his career.

During that time he played alongside Ben Hunt, Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire and Corey Norman and this experience, Hunt said, will help the centre slide straight into the team.

"He's been playing Queensland Cup and from what I've heard he's been playing pretty good up there in Brisbane," Hunt said.

"He's an experienced guy, played almost 200 games, played for his country and a really good fella. I played a lot of footy with him at the Broncos, it was a while ago now, but he's a good lad so he'll fit in really well and know what he needs to do."

The injury and suspension crisis has forced St George Illawarra into a major reshuffle, 12 players unavailable this weekend.

Cody Ramsey has been named at fullback, Billy Burns in the centres, Jordan Pereira returns from a three-week ban on the wing, while Jackson Ford and Poasa Faamausili will start in the forward pack.

Jaiyden Hunt has been named to make his NRL debut off the bench, alongside Kaide Ellis, Daniel Alvaro and Talatau Amone.

Ramsey has long been touted as a potential fullback and Hunt said Matt Dufty's injury makes now the perfect time to throw him an opportunity.

"It's a good opportunity and good for the club to see what we've got from Cody Ramsey. He trained a lot there through the pre-season and played a bit of the trial games, he had flashes of excitement there.

"It's a good opportunity if Hook wants to go with him to see what he's got."

Do you have a story or news tip? Email us at cos@illawarramercury.com.au