League: Warriors must buy time for returning Price

Steve Price

The Warriors were given a tremendous lift yesterday when captain Steve Price was cleared to play against Canberra at Ericsson Stadium on Saturday night.

It's a game the Warriors must win to keep their slim playoff hopes from tumbling into the depths of mathematical probability.

The Warriors were cagey last night about what part Price would take in training ahead of the match after his eight weeks on the sideline.

But he is the sort of player who would not be risked early, despite the team's desperate position.

"You would love to think you can come back from where you left off, [and] where I left off was 10 or 12 games into the season," Price said.

"You can't just dream up that type of match fitness, particularly the games I was involved in - test footy and State of Origin.

"It's going to take a few weeks.

"The guys have been playing pretty well. Hopefully they continue that and it will give me a few weeks to build up my match fitness."

Price was given the okay by specialist Barry Tietjens yesterday afternoon, after earlier completing running and agility work that satisfied the Warriors medics.

The team had a run at Ericsson Stadium last night.

Immediately after the victory over the Roosters, the Warriors spoke about the importance of backing up that good performance against the Raiders.

"That was a really good win, but it won't count for anything if we don't repeat the effort against Canberra," said coach Tony Kemp.

The return of Price should provide the lift they need.

Former Canberra Raider Ruben Wiki usually scored against the Warriors when playing for the Green Machine and doubtless will be keen to prove himself.

Together, Price and Wiki provide a platform that gives the rest no excuse for losing.

* Souths yesterday signed Sharks centre Paul Mellor, 30, for two years.

Mellor went through the club's junior ranks to play six years at senior level before heading elsewhere.

The big centre has been displaced at Cronulla by former Warrior Vince Mellars.

* The Wests Tigers have signalled they want to sign their halves pairing of Kiwi Benji Marshall and Scott Prince long-term and will open negotiations with the pair. They are off-contract at the end of this season.

* The Dragons have been issued with a breach notice and have five days to lodge submissions on why they should not be fined A$10,000 for post-match comments by coach Nathan Brown suggesting his team were refereed differently to others.