Gasnier and Firman Return for Dragons Gold
Coast Trial

Dragons centre Mark Gasnier [pic left] and halfback Brett Firman will play their first games in over six months this weekend when St George Illawarra take on the Bulldogs in their NRL country trial at the Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara, this weekend.

Gasnier, 22, played only 13 games last season (his last match being against the Storm on August 22) after being dogged by injuries (calf, knee and quad) and had an off-season knee operation; while Firman, 21, played 21 games (his last against the Knights on August 31) and sat out the final 2003 match because of a shoulder reconstruction.

The pair did not play in the Dragons' other pre-season matches - Sevens and Charity Shield - but have been given the all-clear for this Saturday's 7.30pm kick-off.

The Dragons have spent this week in camp at Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast to prepare for their final hit-out before their 2004 Telstra Premiership season-opener against the Raiders at Oki Jubilee Stadium on March 14.

TEAM: Dragons v Bulldogs - 7.30pm, Saturday, Feb 28- Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara

Coach: Nathan Brown

1. Ben HORNBY 2. Nathan BLACKLOCK 3. Mark GASNIER 4. Matt COOPER 5. Reece SIMMONDS 6. Trent BARRETT (c) 7. Brett FIRMAN 8. Luke BAILEY 9. Mark RIDDELL 10. Nathan LONG 11. Dean YOUNG 12. Henry PERENARA 13. Shaun TIMMINS

14. Ashton SIMS 16. Brent KITE 17. Ryan POWELL 18. Tony JENSEN 22. Lincoln WITHERS 23. David HOWELL