Act of Squad: Dragons predicted Round 1 team and 2024 overview
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The Dragons finished 16th in 2023, but new coach Shane Flanagan is determined to avoid opting for short-term solutions and believes there is enough talent in the squad to rise from the NRL cellar next season.
Prop Hame Sele is returning home on a three-year deal, while Kyle Flanagan will re-unite with his father for at least the next two seasons, but the 2016 premiership winning mentor won’t be rushed into signing any player who could become surplus to requirements in 2025.
Former Storm forward Tom Eisenhuth will be among those aiming to prove themselves after being signed on a one-year deal, while the late pickup of Raymond Faitala-Mariner from the Bulldogs adds depth both in the middle of the park and in the second row.
A number of current St George Illawarra players are also off contract at the end of next season, including Tyrell Sloan, Jaydn Su’A, Jack de Belin, the Feagai twins, Mat and Max, the Molo brothers, Francis and Michael, and Ben Murdoch-Masila.
Jack Bird and Dan Russell have mutual options in their contracts, while the immediate playing future of five-eighth Talatau Amone is uncertain.
Flanagan will be looking closely at those players to determine whether they are part of his plans for 2025 and beyond, alongside the likes of Ben Hunt, Zac Lomax, Moses Suli, Mikaele Ravalawa, Blake Lawrie, Jacob Liddle and the Couchman twins, Ryan and Toby.
Having missed out on Tonga prop Addin Fonua-Blake, he will be hoping to lure some big-name recruits to the club who can have an impact on the team’s performances.
The Dragons also have a crop of highly rated juniors coming through who are expected to be pushing for NRL selection in 2025, headed by Hamish Stewart, Dylan Egan and Cyrus Stanley-Traill.
As far as 2024 goes, much will again depend on Hunt, who has consistently been St George Illawarra’s best player in recent seasons but asked for a release mid-year after the departure of coach Anthony Griffin.
With Amone stood down, the Dragons playmaking stocks are lean and Liddle is their only established NRL hooker, although Hunt plays dummy half for Australia and Flanagan transitioned into the role at the Bulldogs last season.
Lawrie, who won the club’s 2023 player of the year award, has grown into the role of forward leader and there is enough talent in the pack to compete with most teams, so if his key players can stay healthy there is no reason Flanagan can’t improve the fortunes of the Dragons in his first season.
NRL Fantasy club by club: Dragons
Predicted Round 1 team
1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mat Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Ben Hunt
8. Hame Sele
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Blake Lawrie
11. Dan Russell
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack de Belin
14. Jack Bird
15. Toby Couchman
16. Francis Molo
17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Key Changes
Ins: Corey Allan (Roosters), Tom Eisenhuth (Storm), Kyle Flanagan (Bulldogs), Hame Sele (Rabbitohs), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (Bulldogs).
Outs: Billy Burns (Sharks), Tyrell Fuimaono (unsigned), Jaiyden Hunt (Broncos), Zane Musgrove (Warrington Wolves), Jayden Sullivan (Wests Tigers).
Fitness and defence Sele's focal point
Health Check
Sione Finau (ankle, Round 1)
Corey Allan (knee, 2025)
Positional Battle to Watch
Tyrell Sloan has been earmarked as the long-term St George Illawarra No.1 since debuting as a 19-year-old in 2021 but he faces his greatest challenge next season with Zac Lomax training at fullback.
Lomax is one of the best defensive centres in the NRL but he has previously played fullback and many believe his size, strength and athleticism would make him ideally suited for the role.
With Jack Bird spending time in the centres at training, it is clear that Flanagan is considering what the Dragons backline may look like if he was to move Lomax to fullback.
Sloan also faces competition for the No.1 jersey from former Queensland Origin fullback Corey Allan, who has joined the club after stints with the Rabbitohs, Bulldogs and Roosters, and ex-Warrior and Titan Paul Turner.
It is expected that Sloan will be given first crack at retaining the fullback role but Flanagan it is one position where Flanagan has numerous options if he decides to go in another direction.
