MALIGNED Dragons rookie Richie Williams might not play in first grade again this year after being dropped to the reserves yesterday, the culmination of a turbulent week sparked by his controversial comments about Roosters rival Braith Anasta.

While St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown insisted Williams's relegation had nothing to do with last week's quip about Anasta not playing as well as he had in past seasons, the selection of regular hooker Dean Young at five-eighth was a surprise.

Young has not played for nearly nine months after suffering a serious knee injury last season and has been thrust into the playmaking role ahead of the talented Williams to distribute to a young new centre pairing of Chase Stanley and Keith Lulia.

Young revealed that Brown wants him to remain at five-eighth until injured star Mark Gasnier returns from a pectoral injury, which would not be until late in the season, virtually killing off Williams's hopes of fighting his way back into the team.

Williams is under a club-enforced media ban after his pre-Anzac Day game remarks, so was unable to comment last night, but it is understood he is contemplating a future at another club. His father, Doug, said as much when he told the Herald: "Is his first grade career over? Maybe at the Dragons, not in the NRL."

Brown said: "If Richie's prepared to work really hard and improve some key parts of his game, there's no reason why he can't [return to first grade]."

Was Williams dropped for his comments? "No, that's not the case," Brown said. "Obviously Dean Young's come back and Dean's an experienced player in that position who can offer the side a lot of direction. And that's an area where we're lacking."

After a spiteful loss to the Roosters last Wednesday, fans and critics lambasted Williams for his comments, but more recently there has been significant support for the youngster from talkback callers and bloggers who admire his "courage" and "confidence".

Anasta said after the Anzac Day game he hoped Williams would be dropped to Premier League, "where he belongs", and Bulldogs firebrand Willie Mason verbally blasted Williams - in defence of good friend Anasta - at a city nightspot on Saturday night that very nearly ended up a fist-fight before the pair were separated.

"Richie's a young kid that's been thrown in with a lot of other young kids and we've had a fair few young ones in key positions," Brown said.

"Maybe if Simon Woolford had been playing, maybe Richie's fate may have been a touch different, but it's the way it's gone for Rich.

"Rich was happy that he's been given an opportunity but he also knows how hard it is to play up there and how hard he's got to work so at some stage he can get himself back up there."

Williams wasn't the only Dragons player dumped, with winger Luke MacDougall, hooker Tony Caine and back-rower Corey Payne also playing in Premier League this weekend, with youngsters Lulia, Chris Houston, Rangi Chase, Dan Hunt and Lagi Setu drafted into the top squad.

There were also dramatic changes to other NRL sides yesterday, with the major moves being Carl Webb's return to the Cowboys, Matt Utai being recalled to the Bulldogs, and a major shake-up at the Panthers - who play the Dragons on Friday night.

Panthers co-captain Tony Puletua and former Test prop Joel Clinton were named on an extended bench, while fellow forwards Paul Aiton, Matthew Cross and Bryan Norrie were dropped to Premier League.

Tigers interchange players Jason Moodie and Liam Fulton also make way for Danny Galea and Chris Lawrence, although they may gain a reprieve for Saturday's match against Melbourne if there are injuries in the City-Country match. The Storm named an unchanged line-up but Michael Crocker was restricted in training yesterday dur to a shoulder problem.

And Brisbane have named young playmaker Joel Moon at halfback against Souths, partnering captain Darren Lockyer.

Shaun Berrigan moves to hooker, while centre Nick Emmett comes in for the injured Brent Tate.