NRLW squad watch: Dragons out to silence doubters

St George Illawarra enter their sixth season of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership with a new-look squad spearheaded by Dragons legend Jamie Soward, who coaches his third campaign. 

The Dragons have undergone the NRLW's biggest squad overhaul with only five players back from last year's campaign where the side reached the semi-finals.

Much has been made about who has left the Dragons in 2023 with rival clubs pouncing in the NRLW's biggest expansion season to date. 

While the Red V have been hardest hit, Soward will be relying on his new recruits and some emerging talent to step up and build on the foundation the club has made in the women's competition.

Predicted Round 1 Team

1. Teagan Berry 2. Taylor Mapusua 3. Keele Browne 4. Bobbi Law 5. Shenai Lendill 6. Tyla Nathan-Wong 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa 9. Kaarla Cowan 10. Tara McGrath-West 11. Sara Sautia 12. Roxy Murdoch-Masila 13. Alexis Tauaneai 14. Zali Hopkins 15. Jamilee Bright 16. Maddison Weatherall 17. Renee Targett

Other: Cheynoah Amone, Macie Carlile, Sophie Clancy, Ella Koster, Sarah Riordan, Cortez Te Pou, Margot Vella.

Biggest strength 

Entering into the unknown is easily the Dragons' biggest advantage. Many expect them to struggle given who has left and the NRLW has proven to be more unpredictable than ever since the competition began in 2018.

There's no better coach to have for this group than Jamie Soward, who has a particular point to prove after the departures of several players.

Regardless of where the Dragons finish on the ladder, Soward is a coach who will individually try and get the best out of his players and will try all sorts of methods to get the side competing in every game. 

Any side who attempts to take them lightly is likely to find out the hard way. 

Biggest question mark

Losing a wealth of representative experience is bound to take a toll at some point for the side so it will be interesting to see how they handle it coming up against plenty of star power. 

The side's inexperience can be a positive with a free-flowing approach to games, but history suggests when it comes to big matches the players who have been there before usually come out on top.  

There are a lot of unheralded players in this squad, some with limited rugby league experience, which may show throughout the season. 

Best recruit

Luring the best player in the world last year, current golden boot and Dally M winner Raecene McGregor, is a huge coup for the Dragons given the influx of departures.

From all reports McGregor has hit the ground running and is looking forward to running the side in the halves and taking on a personal challenge of backing up her stellar year last season by leading a young squad.

She is one of the best organisers in the game and is being mentored by a coach who has all the halves knowledge required.

Rookie to watch

Rising forward Alexis Tauaneai has made waves in the lower grades this season after moving across to Australia from New Zealand to start her rugby league journey.

The teenager picked up the Tarsha Gale Cup player of the year award, all while playing the next level up in the Harvey Norman NSW Premiership grand final, and dominated at the National Championships in May for NSW City. 

Tauaneai will start at either prop or lock and is one to watch across the competition in 2023.