Dragons, Dogs out to impress new coaches

SYDNEY, Feb 3 AAP – For fans it’ll be as much about the new coaches as the players when St George Illawarra host Canterbury in a NRL trial match in Wollongong on Saturday night.

It’s premiership coach Des Hasler’s debut night in charge of the Bulldogs and Steve Price’s first time at home stepping out of Wayne Bennett’s shadow as the Dragons’ head coach and supporters will be searching for early indicators for the season ahead.

But for Hasler and Price the opening trial is a chance to see how some of their fringe players can step up with experienced first graders all being rested.

And for the players it’s a big opportunity to impress their coaches with an eye to selection in round one.

St George Illawarra prop David Gower, who played four top grade games last year, is one who knows he is auditioning for a permanent place in the NRL.

“I want to show him I’m enthusiastic and I’ve learnt a few things from last year and I want to take everything we’ve done out here in pre-season onto the field with me and just commit to everything I do and show him (Price) I’m ready to play,” said Gower.

“Obviously it’s a tough team to get into. There’s a representative pack in front of me and I’m just going to try and work hard and play my best, whether that’s for Illawarra in the NSW Cup or for Pricey.”

Gower was instructed to bulk up in the off-season and is up to about 108kg for the new year as he hopes for a bench spot in first grade.

New recruits Atelea Vea from Melbourne, Will Matthews from the Gold Coast and Daniel Vidot from Canberra are the other fringe players who will turn out for the Dragons and look to strengthen their claims for 2012.

Canterbury feature Trent Cutler at halfback and young forwards Marty Taupau, Tim Browne and Jake Foster in their line-up – all who have some NRL experience.

Dragons enforcer Gower said the home side are expecting the Bulldogs to play with high intensity.

“They’re going to be there to impress Des. They’ve got a new coach in front of them in the same way we’ve got a new coach,” he said.

“So everyone is going to be trying their guts out.

“All trials are serious, we’ve trained hard for three months and we want to get stuck in the same as the Bulldogs are going to want to.

“Pricey has put his own stamp on a few things out here.”

Publisher: AAPNewswire

03 Feb 12:25 PM