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It is the belief of many that the St George Illawarra Dragons will be a bust in the 2017 season.
After their attacking woes of the season just gone, you can’t argue with the array of people that have already written them off.
Yet somehow, looking at their current crop of players, I get the feeling they can challenge the big names in 2017.
Let’s have a look at some of the big players they have brought in over the course of the off-season.
Nene Macdonald (Gold Coast Titans)
Big Nene was one of the underrated stars of the Titans backline this season. Macdonald scored ten tries in 24 games. Perhaps more impressive than the ten tries are the 24 games. The 22-year-old failed to miss a game this year, and could add some much needed consistency to the Dragons line-up.
Cameron McInnes (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
The signing of Cameron McInnes see’s the exit of Mitch Rein, which may have been even more important for the Dragons. McInnes is a classy hooker, who can steer a team around the park.
He’s also solid in defence, making a staggering 97 per cent of his attempted tackles. His job will be to provide the halves with good, early ball, and to defend until he can no longer stand.
Paul Vaughan (Canberra Raiders)
The big man from Canberra may be the most important signing St George have made. Vaughan had a solid 2016 season in lime green, playing 23 games and averaging over 100 metres a game for the year.
The 25-year-old will give the Dragons the go forward they need to play some good attacking football.
As well as signing a host of quality players, they have also let go of a few, and re-signed some talent of their own.
Benji Marshall has left the club and is heading north to play for Wayne Bennett’s Broncos. Mitch Rein is on his way to Penrith, while Dunamis Lui makes his way to the nation’s capital.
On the re-signing front, hard man Tyson Frizell has committed to the club until 2020, while young prodigy Matt Dufty and first grade regular Joel Thompson have both signed on until the 2018 season.
Let’s not forget about the players that are still there. Star Dragons Josh Dugan, Euan Aitken, Jack De Belin and Tariq Sims will be looking to improve on their 2016 form.
With all of this taken into consideration, this is what the St George full strength starting XIII should look like in 2017.
1. Josh Dugan
2. Jason Nightingale
3. Euan Aitken
4. Kurt Mann
5. Nene Macdonald
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Drew Hutchinson
8. Paul Vaughan
9. Cameron McInnes
10. Tariq Sims
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Joel Thompson
13. Jack De Belin
This is a squad that I believe can challenge next year. If they fix up their problems in attack, they will go a long way to making the eight in 2017.
Follow Pat on Twitter @pattysills17 (https://twitter.com/pattysills17)
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