Green, Priddis given chance to hook in
A pair of hookers who have seen little action in recent times will be thrown to the wolves on Friday night with Canterbury and St George Illawarra putting their depth to the test in the NRL grudge match.
Journeymen Blake Green and Luke Priddis will wear the No.9 jumpers for the Bulldogs and Dragons respectively, Green earning his chance after Michael Ennis accepted a one-week ban for a high tackle while Priddis comes in for Nathan Fien, who is out with a broken leg.
The WIN Stadium clash will be only Priddis' second start in the last 18 months, while Green - the third choice rake at the club behind Ennis and the injured Dene Halatau - hasn't run on at hooker since July 2008 when he was still with Cronulla.
"It's extremely disappointing for Fiensy, he's a great player and a great guy," Priddis said.
"I'm looking forward to having a run on Friday night ... the Bulldogs are always a tough prospect, no matter when or where you play them."
The Bulldogs also welcome back winger Bryson Goodwin, who will assume goalkicking duties with Ennis out, the hooker left with little choice but to cop the one match suspension for a high tackle on Newcastle's Matt Hilder.
South Sydney coach John Lang has also been forced to test his reserves with David Tyrell coming in for Eddy Pettybourne, who will be out for up to three months with a broken jaw, while Junior Vaivai replaces Colin Best (ribs).
"He's a very good prospect Junior, he had a very good season in the Toyota Cup last year," Lang said ahead of Friday's match against Gold Coast at ANZ Stadium.
"I've got no doubt that Junior will play a lot of first grade, it's just a matter of when."
The Titans received a boost on Tuesday with fullback Preston Campbell cleared after receiving a head knock in Sunday's win over the Warriors.
Penrith welcome back Trent Waterhouse from a quad strain for the trip north to play North Queensland, former Sydney Rooster Willie Mason again named to start from the bench.
Manly coach Des Hasler has been forced to reshuffle his backline for Sunday's clash with fellow round one losers Parramatta with Michael Robertson deputising for Brett Stewart at fullback.
Stewart will on Wednesday receive the results of scans on the knee injury he picked up making a try-saving tackle on Wests Tigers winger Lote Tuqiri on Monday night, with the initial prognosis being a three to six week recovery period.
Tony Williams slides out to the wing to replace Robertson with Chris Bailey going from the back row to centre.
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