Revealed: The full extent of St George Illawarra’s player illness woes

VOMITING players, rolled ankles, a flu-stricken squad — this is the perilous state of affairs that left St George Illawarra on their knees.

Paul Vaughan was on of the Dragons hit by the virus. (Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

THE full extent of St George Illawarra’s woes can be revealed with the Dragons having just six fit players during their 24-12 loss to Brisbane on Friday night as a virus ripped through the side.

A severe flu swept through the Dragons ranks just 48 hours before their important clash against the Broncos. So dire was the Dragons predicament, they were forced to rush Will Matthews up to Queensland barley 24 hours before the game, with the replacement forward having not turned out for the club all season.

With the Dragons playing for their season, their preparations were thrown into chaos with a host of big name players struggled to face the high flying Broncos.

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Paul Vaughan was caught short on the field. (Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The setbacks included;

— Paul Vaughan vomiting during Friday’s game.

— Tyson Frizell helped off by a trainer from the teams captain’s run after rolling his ankle when he stepped on teammate Jack de Belin.

— Only six starting players — Josh Dugan, Tim Lafai, Jason Nightingale, Cameron McInnes, Joel Thompson and Tariq Sims were unaffected by the flu before the game.

— Interchange forward Hame Sele ruled out while Matt Dufty was bedridden until kick-off with the virus.

— Nene MacDonald sent home after being unable to run at final training session to prepare for must win calash against Penrith

— Matthews flown to Brisbane on Thursday barley 24 hours before kick-off. Does not train with the squad.

— Euan Aitken’s season is over with a shoulder injury

— A host of staff members have also taken ill.

Matthews had not played in the NRL since round 26 last year.

“I wasn’t part of the 19 who flew up (earlier in the week) and then a few of the boys got sick and Friz (Frizell) hurt his ankle as well, so I was a bit of a late call-up,” Matthews said. “It was good to get a run.

“It wasn’t too disruptive. I did get time to prepare. I missed the captain’s run. Obviously with a few boys under the weather they had to call me up.”

The loss has the Dragons needing to win their two remaining matches if they are any hope of securing a top eight spot. They will be without outside back Aitken whose season is over after dislocating his shoulder in the final play on Friday night.

Euan Aitken’s season is over following a shoulder injury. Picture: Brett Costello

Aitken — who needs a shoulder reconstruction — went into the match knowing there was a high risk of not being able to complete the game having suffered the injury against Manly three weeks ago.

“It’s not great,” Aitken said. “It didn’t feel too good. It’s not looking good for me, I’ll probably have to get surgery some time this week. My shoulder was never as good as it needed to be before surgery but I strapped it up to play. I would’ve come away sweet before that last play.”

St George Illawarra play another top eight hopeful Penrith on Sunday before finishing the regular season against Canterbury.

“It’s do or die,” Aitken said. “Penrith are on a good run. We have to test them out. It’s been a rollercoaster season.”

Meanwhile, the Dragons have inquired about signing Bulldogs skipper James Graham. The 31-year-old is reluctant to move from the Bulldogs but as his side battles ongoing salary cap dramas, he could be enticed with a long-term deal at St George Illawarra. The Dragons had made Bronco Adam Blair a priority but look set to be outbid by Newcastle and the Warriors.