Perenara out for the season

St George Illawarra back rower, Henry Perenara has joined the growing Dragons casualty list after being forced out with a season-ending shoulder injury.

Perenara was originally named in the side to take on the Newcastle Knights in this Sunday's do-or-die clash at Kogarah. But he learned yesterday of an injury to the AC joint in his right shoulder.

“I've never had a football injury requiring surgery before,” Perenara said. “I'm not happy. It's pretty disappointing to end the season this way.

“I had some pain in it earlier in the week but I was hopeful of playing through it until the end of the season. But when I tried to pass the ball at training yesterday and couldn't, I was immediately sent for tests. The positive is that I will be able to train again in six weeks.”

Perenara joins a star-studded list of Dragons forced to the sidelines and includes Trent Barrett, Mark Gasnier, Amos Roberts and Jason Ryles.

Dragons coach Nathan Brown has not named a replacement for Perenara but is expected to finalise the team on Saturday.