Sickly Dragons down and out as illness, injury plague roster

THE full extent of St George Illawarra’s woes can be revealed with the Dragons having just six fit players during their 24-12 loss to Brisbane on Friday night as a virus ripped through the side.

A severe flu swept through the Dragons ranks just 48 hours before their important clash against the Broncos. So dire was the Dragons predicament, they were forced to rush Will Matthews up to Queensland barely 24 hours before the game, with the replacement forward having not turned out for the club all season.

With the Dragons playing for their season, their preparations were thrown into chaos with a host of big-name players struggled to face the high flying Broncos. The setbacks included;

Paul Vaughan vomiting during Friday’s game.

Tyson Frizell helped off by a trainer from the teams captain’s run after rolling his ankle when he stepped on teammate Jack de Belin.

Only six starting players — Josh Dugan, Tim Lafai, Jason Nightingale, Cameron McInnes, Joel Thompson and Tariq Sims were unaffected by the flu before the game.

Interchange forward Hame Sele ruled out while Matt Dufty was bedridden until kick-off with the virus.

Nene MacDonald sent home after being unable to run at final training session to prepare for must-win calash against Penrith

Matthews flown to Bris- bane on Thursday barely 24 hours before kick-off. Does not train with the squad.

Euan Aitken’s season is over with a shoulder injury

The loss has the Dragons needing to win their two remaining matches if they are any hope of securing a top eight spot.