AFTER a strong 2017 regular season, which saw them finish third on the National Youth Competition ladder, the St George Illawarra Dragons Holden Cup side are ready to take the finals by storm.
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A large part of the team’s success can be credited to Group 7 duo – Reuben Garrick (Gerringong) and Jason Gillard (Nowra-Bomaderry), who have both enjoyed strong campaigns on the field.
Garrick, who also represented the NSW under 20s side this season, knows his team have the potential to go all the way but acknowledges that there is a long way still to go.
“I believe our performance this year has been good in parts – we have had a very up and down year,” Garrick said.
“However, we have always turned up ready to play and have got the job done against the top eight sides.
“We have played some top class footy this year at times and we still haven't quite put a whole 80 minute performance together.
“We aren't getting too far ahead of ourselves at the moment - just trying to remain focused on giving ourselves the best preparation through training hard this week and putting our best foot forward for the weekend.
“I'm going to make sure I am prepared for the game to the best of my ability and just play my natural game and compete on every play to help my teammates out as much as possible.
“There is still a lot of tough, hard footy to be played before we are even at the final.”
The former-Lion, in his third year with the squad, admitted his preparation won’t change ahead of Saturday’s qualifying final.
“I feel being one of the senior players in the team is a bit surreal, as I don't feel any older than any of the other blokes,” he said.
“The couple of years prior have helped me cope with the training load and knowing what to expect and also the length of the season - it really does take a lot out of you towards the back end of the year.
“We are preparing as best we can by firstly making sure everyone has recovered well and ripped into the ice baths and the rest, as we are coming off a Sunday game.
“The rest of our week is much similar to a normal week and the coaches and staff are trying to keep the week as normal as possible to keep our nerves and minds on the job at training - remaining in the moment rather than thinking about the game on the weekend.
“We will need to come out of the blocks fast and play a quick style of footy and really try to win the game through the middle.
“If we stick to our game plan and all work for each other, we will get the job done.”
Gillard, who helped the Jets win the Group 7 under 18s crown in 2015, echoed the thoughts of his team mate and fellow outside back Garrick.
“I feel my individual performance this year has been alright - there are still lots of things to work on for me, especially heading into the finals,” Gillard said.
“Our overall performance as a team has been quite good - we have worked really hard and to finish where we have is a credit to the coaching staff and all of the boys putting in 100 per cent for each other every week.
“Heading into the match against Penrith, we know what we have to do, with the keys being executing our game plan and playing for the full 80 minutes.
“Personally, I’m just going to try and play my best footy, as everyone's role is important this week.
“If we play as a team and do the little things right, we should come away with the win.”
The Dragons have already played the Panthers on two occasion this season – defeating them 18-16 in round one before smashing them 40-10 in round 25, which Gillard admits gives his team confidence ahead of the clash.
“We have been going over some footage of the games we have played against them this year and picking what has worked well and what we can fix as individuals and a team,” he said.
“The coaches have a lot of faith in us - I think if we be confident and believe in ourselves any thing could happen.
“Every team wants to win the premiership and if we work hard enough for it its definitely achievable and it all starts with Penrith this weekend.”
Garrick and Gillard are joined be fellow Group 7 products Josh Dowel (Warilla-Lake South), Jayden Morgan (Albion Park-Oak Flats), Jackson Ford (Gerringong), Dylan Morris (Kiama) and Tom Angel (Kiama) in the squad.
The match kicks-off 5pm Saturday at Allianz Stadium.
Dragons squad: 1. Zac Lomax 2. Steven Marsters 3. Reuban Garrick 4. Matheson Johns 5. Jason Gillard 6. Joe Lovodua 7. Tristan Sailor 8. Stuart Mason 9. Reece Robson 10. Josh Dowel 11. Jackson Ford 12. Jayden Morgan 13. Brayden Gallagher 14. TJ Uele 15. Matt Shepherd 16. Jackson Willis 17. Hayden Lomax 18. Trent Peoples 19. Dylan Morris 20. Tom Angel 21. Dane Francis