Australian back-rower Beau Scott is the front-runner to fill the right centre position vacated by Mark Gasnier at St George Illawarra.

Dragons coach Steve Price said Scott and Nick Emmett would get first crack in the centres as life after Wayne Bennett officially begins for St George Illawarra against North Queensland on Saturday night.

Scott and Emmett were part of a 24-man squad that left Sydney yesterday ahead of their clash in Perth. Emmett did not play first grade last year after injuring his shoulder.

Former Canberra outside back Daniel Vidot was overlooked for the Dragons' extended trial squad while Chase Stanley had been touted as the man most likely to replace Gasnier. His place in the side is dependent on a successful recovery and return from surgery to a knee ligament injured in round one playing for Melbourne last season. Price was hopeful but not confident Stanley would recover in time to play in the Charity Shield against South Sydney on February 18.

Despite being named in the squad, skipper Ben Hornby (thigh strain) won't play, and Nathan Fien is expected to start at No.7.