Dragons play coy on missing Frizell
ST George- Illawarra coach Paul McGregor kept his cards close to his chest after State of Origin backrower Tyson Frizell was nowhere to be seen with his team in Townsville yesterday.
The Dragons arrived at Townsville Airport without Frizell, who played for New South Wales in their Origin series victory over Queensland, and McGregor was coy on his star player’s absence.
There was no indication earlier this week that Frizell could be a potential omission from tomorrow’s game at 1300 SMILES Stadium, where the Cowboys are in danger of suffering a fifth consecutive home defeat – a streak the Cowboys have not endured since 2008.
“He’s around here somewhere I think mate,” McGregor said when asked about Frizell’s absence. He remained evasive when asked if Frizell would play. “I’m not sure yet.” Asked again by a journalist if Frizell had travelled, McGregor replied: “Have you seen him?” He then added: “Well he’s not here then.”
Former Kirwan State High School student and Dragons winger Nene MacDonald was also absent from the Dragons’ travelling team yesterday, with MacDonald under an injury cloud earlier in the week after suffering a foot injury in last weekend’s shock loss to the Wests Tigers.
But the greatest intrigue surrounds Frizell, who won this year’s Origin series with New South Wales alongside Dragons’ teammates Jack De Belin, Paul Vaughan and Tariq Sims, who will play tomorrow night along with Maroons’ utility player Ben Hunt and English international Gareth Widdop.
Even if they play without Frizell the Dragons will still pack a punch, given their place in the NRL top four is at stake.
The Dragons were sitting on top of the ladder after Round 16, but a thirdstraight loss tomorrow night could see them slide to fifth.
“The journey in this competition’s tough and at some stage every team is going to drop their guard a touch and not play to their best,” McGregor said.
“I’m just very confident in my playing group. We’ve proven week after week that if we hold ourselves to a certain standard we’ll beat any opposition.”
But McGregor is on alert for the out- of- sorts Cowboys, who are licking their wounds from last weekend’s 38- 12 loss to Canberra.
“They’re quality opposition, they’ve got quality personnel, so they’re going to be very hard to beat,” he said.
“One thing about the Cowboys is they’re very tough and uncompromising.
“They’re in the fight to the end and we know that and respect that.”
Intrigue also surrounds the Cowboys’ pre- game preparations, with young playmaker Jake Clifford still an outside chance of making his NRL debut.
“I know all about him ( Clifford),” McGregor said. “I know he’s been named in the 19, so we do work on the 19 players who are named.
“I’ve got some friends up here who know the family well, so there’s a bit of insight there.
“I’m sure if he gets an opportunity he’ll go out there and do his best, and we have to make sure we nullify that.”