St George Illawarra Dragons NRL 2018 season preview

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• Author: Mick Gannon
  Feb 28, 2018 10:26 AM
• AAP

Hunt the key to unleashing the Dragon

Key Ins: James Graham (Bulldogs), Ben Hunt (Broncos), Jeremy Latimore (Sharks), Mitchell Allgood (Wakefield Trinity)

Key Outs: Josh Dugan (Sharks), Russell Packer (Wests Tigers), Joel Thompson (Sea Eagles), Kalifa Faifai Loa (Townsville Blackhawks), Mose Masoe (Hull KR), Taane Milne (Wests Tigers)

Overview

The Dragons started last season like a bullet out of a gun, winning eight of their first twelve games leading many to believe that coach Paul McGregor had a premiership contending side under his watch. The club then hit a mid-season slump and suddenly the Dragons were no longer breathing fire, as they capitulated to the back-half of the season to win only four of their last twelve games.

A round 26 must-win clash against a Bulldogs side, who were eyeing off mad Monday, gave the Saints a shot at playing finals football. However a lacklustre performance ensured the red and white bubble was well and truly burst.

Despite the disappointing end to 2017, there were plenty of positives to come from the season and enough to suggest that the Dragons will be competitive this year. Paul Vaughn was one of the form props of the competition, having a break-out year which saw him lead the club’s running meters (3397) and remarkably finish as the club’s third highest try scorer (8).

Gareth Widdop also had a defining season last year. The five-eighth was the third leading point scorer in the competition as he scored 10 tries, laid off 18 try assists and made 11 line breaks in his 20 NRL appearances. He led the Dragons around the park as the side demonstrated they could play expansive football, leading the competition in offloads (330) and second only to the Storm in line breaks (123).

The loss of Kangaroo Josh Dugan to south coast rivals the Sharks initially looked a bitter pill to swallow for Dragons fans, however there are positives in the move. The star fullback is never far away from an off-field indiscretion (in trouble again last weekend) and he boasts a lengthy injury history. Dugan’s departure also presents an opportunity for young gun Matt Dufty to make his mark at fullback.  

It shapes as a big season for the Red V and a there will be plenty of pressure on coach McGregor should his side not fire in the opening half of the season.  

Player to watch: NRL fans were able to get a brief glimpse of the raw talent Matt Dufty possesses in the last seven rounds of 2017. The 22-year-old speed demon looked at home in the number one jersey and after packing on some size in the off-season, he’ll get the opportunity to make the position as his own this season. The livewire will be most dangerous in broken play and kick returns where he’ll be able to use his rapid pace to slice through opposition defensive lines.   

Key Player: Ben Hunt comes to the Dragons as one of the most highly anticipated transfers in the merged club’s history after signing a five-year deal worth $1m per annum. The halfback announced himself to the NRL world in 2015 after leading the Broncos to the grand final, however his form since then has yet to scale those heights. There is no doubt that Hunt has plenty of potential but the jury is still out on whether he has what it takes to justify his hefty price tag.

Forward pack rating 8/10

The signing of Graham is a massive coup for the Red V as the English prop has proven himself as one of the NRL’s hardest workers in the middle of the field. Graham and Vaughn will give the Dragons pack plenty of go forward this season and they will be well supported by damaging ball runner Jack Debellin, who is looking more and more like a representative player, and NSW and Australian represantative Tyson Frizell. Dragons fans will miss the attacking threat that Joel Thompson provided on their right edge last year, however McGregor has options at his disposal in the likes of Tariq Sims and Jeremy Latimore.

Outside backs rating 2/10

Undoubtedly the biggest weakness of the Saints' line-up, with a notable lack of size and speed out wide. Nene Macdonald was solid last year without setting the world on fire, whilst captain Jason Nightingale was his reliable and consistent self. Centre pairing Tim Lafai and Euan Aitken are flaky at best and had more bad games then good last season. Add a quality outside back to this line-up and the Dragons become top eight material.;

Spine rating 6/10

The Dragons have a revamped spine this season in Dufty (Fullback), Widdop (Five-Eighth), Ben Hunt (Halfback) and Cameron McInnes (Hooker). The addition of Hunt in the halves will take plenty of pressure off Widdop and allow him to play his natural running game. McInnes is a work horse out of dummy half, leading the competition last year with the most amount of tackles (1,155). Although the Hunt, Widdop and Dufty combination looks the goods, expect them to take time to gel.