Key recruit Gareth Widdop played vital minutes in St George Illawarra's 60-12 trial win over a combined Mudgee Dragons/Illawarra Cutters side on Friday but coach Steve Price is still yet to decide on his halves partner for 2014.
Widdop put the lesser opposition to the sword in a solid first-hit out for the Dragons after his big-money off-season move from Melbourne.
The England five-eighth will be key to the Dragons attack this season but who will partner him in the halves in the club's NRL season opener against Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on March 9 remains up in the air.
Kyle Stanley, former Canberra halfback Sam Williams and Josh Drinkwater were all given their chances to put their case forward to be first-choice halfback in the Dragons first outing for 2014 at WIN Jubilee Oval before around 3,500 fans.
Along with Williams and Widdop, former South Sydney centre-threequarter Dylan Farrell and ex-Warrington prop Mike Cooper also made their debut in Dragons' colours.
Light on his feet for a big man, Cooper looks set to be an important part of the Dragons' forward set-up this year.
After the game Price said Drinkwater, Williams and Stanley would all be given every opportunity to be chosen alongside Widdop at the inaugural Auckland Nines next week and in the Charity Shield clash against South Sydney at WIN Stadium the week after.
