ON the back of a four-try effort for the St George Illawarra Dragons Canterbury Cup side against the Wenworthville Magpies last round, Gerringong Lions product Jackson Ford has been named to make his first grade NRL debut.
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The backrower, who will become Dragon number 227, has been named on the bench for Paul McGregor's side to face the Gold Coast Titans at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium from 3pm Saturday.
Ford, who helped the Lions win a first grade Group Seven premiership in 2016, will be one of three Gerringong juniors, alongside brothers Tariq and Korbin Sims, to run out in the Red V in round 21.
Joining the three Group Seven products in McGregor's squad are fullback Corey Norman, wingers Jason Saab and Mikaele Ravalawa, centres Euan Aitken (who will be playing his 100th NRL game) and Tim Lafai and halves Gareth Widdop and Ben Hunt - as well as forwards James Graham (playing his 400th first grade fixture), Cameron McInnes, Paul Vaughan, Patrick Kaufusi and Tyson Frizell.
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Rounding out the squad are Jeremy Latimore and Luciano Leilua, who will start in the bench alongside Ford and Korbin Sims.
Ford, who has helped the Dragons into fourth on the Canterbury Cup ladder, follows in the footsteps of former Gerringong Lions players Jack Murchie and Reuben Garrick, who have debuted with Canberra and Manly-Warringah respectively the past two seasons.