St George Illawarra are hopeful star forward Jack de Belin will shed a pair of crutches and a moon boot to take on Brisbane in Sunday’s NRL elimination final.
The NSW State of Origin lock limped into Dragons training on Tuesday, after he suffered an ankle syndesmosis injury in the opening minutes of the win over Newcastle on Saturday.
Regarded as one of the toughest players at the Dragons, the 27-year-old played through the injury and finished the game.
He’s expected to be named on Tuesday afternoon and will be given every chance to play at Suncorp Stadium.
“He’d be a big loss,” fellow representative forward Tyson Frizell said.
“Hopefully he will be right for this weekend’s game.
“He’s a miracle healer. I don’t think it’s as bad as it looks.
“He’s hobbling around at the moment but he’ll be right.”
De Belin has regularly played through the injuries this year, having taken several pain-killing injections in his hips to get through all three Origin games.
His presence will be vital for the Red V’s middle, given they are already without representative prop Paul Vaughan for the rest of the season with a foot injury.
That’s also coincided with a significant dip in form as the Dragons lost six of their past nine, with poor completion rates and limited possession having seen them outrun by their opponents in every game since round 16.
Paul McGregor’s men also have the challenge of taking on the young and exuberant Broncos big pack, who have found form and confidence in their three-straight wins leading into the finals.
“They (the Broncos forwards) are hitting some form at the right end of the year,” Frizell said.
“They’re the ones who let (halfback Kodi) Nikorima and the outside backs do the job they do.
“We’ve got a big job going up there.
“I think we go into every game wanting to lay a platform for those blokes.
“Whatever we do you see Gareth Widdop and Benny Hunt come into their own.”
Meanwhile, centre Euan Aitken (hamstring) and winger Jason Nightingale (elbow) are also racing the clock to be fit for the opening week of the finals.