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Nine weeks into season 2013 St George Illawarra were placed 13th, and did not look like making the top eight. Another season down the drain, league experts were saying. It’s the coach, or the halves, cried angry fans.
Then along came their savour, a roof-top drinking, cruiser-sipping fullback who has turned the Dragons spluttering attack with a newfound unpredictability about it.
I’m talking about Josh Dugan.
Ridiculed, laughed at and criticised at the beginning of the year for his off field demeanours, Dugan has starred in his first month with St George.
He’s won two games almost single handedly with two man of the match performances and scored four tries with a 100 percent strike rate.
Word is that players at the club have a new buzz around the place. Injured centre Matt Cooper said on The Footy Show last night that he can’t wait to play with Dugan.
Both the fans and players will be spewing if he isn’t re-signed.
But enough about ‘Duges’. I believe the Dragons actually have a shot at the title this year (and yes I am biased, being a Saints supporter).
They would really have to be the smokies of the competition this year.
Their strength is their forwards – Dan Hunt and Michael Weyman are two experienced and fearsome front rowers when in form – Weyman has represented NSW and Australia and Hunt has been knocking on the door of Origin selection for some time.
They also boast an outstanding depth in the back row – the ever reliable Ben Creagh, the ever improving Tyson Frizzell, Kiwi international Bronson Harrison, who was really hitting his straps before a broken hand last week against Newcastle, and the fleet-footed Trent Merrin.
Merrin would have to be the form lock of the competition. His footwork allows him to get in between defenders, and his is strong enough and skilful enough to hold defenders off and slip a deft offload to support players.
He also gets through a lot of work defensively, something that isn’t documented as much. The two Jacks, De Belin and Stockwell, are ever-improving and have been possibly more effective than Hunt and Weyman in recent weeks.
They also have possibly the best back three in the competition. I’ve already covered the magic Josh Dugan is conjuring up at the back, Brett Morris is perhaps the best finisher in the NRL, and Jason Nightingale is one of the most consistent players week to week.
The centres are solid, Nathan Green has held his own in absence of Matt Cooper, and Matt Prior has been great defensively.
The halves has been the weak point all year, culminating in the dropping of Jamie Soward, but they looked considerably better with Chase Stanley straightening the attack, and Fien controlling the kicking.
As they say, rugby league is a funny game, and anything can happen – if the Dragons make the eight then anything is possible for the Red V!
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