Off-contract Benji Marshall has been guaranteed a farewell game with St George Illawarra despite his sacking from the Dragons’ side to play Parramatta.
The Dragons said Marshall had been rested when their NRL team was named on Tuesday and the former Golden Boot winner won’t be forced to play reserve grade.
Coach Paul McGregor has preferred Drew Hutchinson in the halves alongside Gareth Widdop for Monday night’s clash.
But a possible NRL farewell for Marshall is likely against Newcastle in the final round of the season.
“Mary came to me on Monday and said he had a proposition,” Marshall told News Corp Australia.
“He said he wanted to have a look at Drew for next year, but would still bring me back for the final game of the year. And I’m sweet with that – totally understand.”
Marshall is off contract with the Dragons at the end of the season.
In other news as teams were named for round 25, Danny Fualalo replaces the suspended Sam Kasiano for Canterbury’s match against North Queensland at Belmore Sports Ground on Thursday.
Matt Scott returns from a back injury for the visitors.
Dylan Walker is back from what was thought to be a season-ending shoulder injury for Manly’s match with Canberra at Brookvale Oval on Saturday.
Apisai Koroisau returns to hooker for the home side.
Josh Hodgson is back from suspension for the visitors and Edrick Lee returns from injury for his cousin Brenko on the wing.
Ash Taylor’s return for Gold Coast pushes Jarryd Hayne to fullback and David Mead out of the side for Saturday evening’s clash with Penrith in Queensland.
Skipper Paul Gallen has overcome a calf injury for Cronulla’s Saturday night match with Sydney Roosters at Southern Cross Group Stadium. Winger Sosaia Feki is back from a groin injury for the Sharks.
Tuimoala Lolohea and Solomone Kata have regained their spots as the Warriors host Wests Tigers on Sunday.
David Nofoaluma is the Tigers’ new fullback in the absence of James Tedesco. Jordan Rankin has been shifted to the wing by coach Jason Taylor.
Jarrod Mullen is back at five-eighth as Newcastle host South Sydney at Hunter Stadium on Sunday.
Beau Scott, Brad Takairangi and Tepai Moeroa boost Parramatta to end an era of Monday night football for the NRL.
Both Melbourne and Brisbane are unchanged for Friday night’s AAMI Park clash.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
With injuries and origin commitments the Dragons are not getting value for their salary cap with Dugan. So I am inclined to agree that Dugan could be released to free up salary cap. If I were the Dragons I would go shopping in Fiji (which seems to have been a happy hunting ground for the Storm) and pick up some big, cheap and fast players and then find a half that can manage to get them the ball. But before that we need a coach with preception and a vision.
gruntus
Guest
Agree with all of the above comments, you could write two pages on the Dragons problems. The head coach must accept responsibility for the way the team is managed, all Mcgregor seems to do is deflect blame away from himself. He must be the first one to go.
Wishy
Guest
Terrible year for the Dragons, zero attack. Not fair to bring this kid up with two games left. Mary will go down as a brilliant rep centre, great trainer but unfortunately coaching 1st grade NRL was not for him. Josh Dugan also needs to be considered to be let go. Too much cap space people. He's slow, has very few try assists, very few tries. Good metre returns but need way more than that to be a number 1 side. Dragons need a solid half, fullback and hooker to build around, A couple of speedster wingers like the Storm and Raiders have never hurts either;
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Have to agree W P, i think the club hierarchy needs a clean out as well. A coach can set a team back years with poor selections in buying players and decidiing who runs on every week. Marshall was never a fit for the Dragons.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
McGregor has failed to elevate promising junior players or secure them contractually which lead to the loss of Jack Bird and Charly Runciman. McCrone has been preferred all year for NRL when Benji was not available and now we finally see Drew Hutchinson elevated but only apparently for one game. Lafai despte substandard performances all year earns a recall, while forward options in the cutters remain to be fully explored. Still not under contract is promising forward Leilua, will he be another to leave for greener pastures? McGregor is not the person to lead the rebuild of the Dragons which is clearly necessary if we are to score points next year.