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At the beginning of 2015 I picked the Dragons to make the top eight and was ridiculed by the many who picked them for the wooden spoon.
Once again many are prepared to dismiss St George Illawarra’s chances next year, but I am calling a top-four finish from a team that could go all the way.
A lot will depend on how coach Paul McGregor handles his new squad, but few NRL coaches have the luxury of being able to pick a full team of international players, with a total of 18 internationals in the Dragons’ squad.
Gone is the soft pack.
Up front, Samoan internationals Leeson Ah Mau (111kg) and Mose Masoe (130kg) share the duties with New Zealand international Russell Packer (121kg) and English international Mike Cooper (103kg).
Crowd favourite George Rose is alas no longer warming the Dragons’ bench, and junior Rory O’Brien is off to the Eels.
In the backrow there’s Welsh international Tyson Frizell (108kg) and former Australian player, captain Ben Creagh (105kg) who are also capable of playing front row. Dragons regulars Jack De Belin and Joel Thompson look likely to fill the remaining backrow positions, leaving Samoan international Dunamis Lui, dual international (Tonga and New Zealand) Silivan Havili, and Irish international Tyrone McCarthy fighting for the remaining position on the bench.
Gone to Penrith, but not going to be missed, is Trent Merrin.
Mitch Rein (85kg) looks likely to be the main hooker, with Havili (104kg) a likely option for hooker and utility forward. Last year’s regular utility player, Heath L’Estrange, has retired.
Former Kiwis captain Benji Marshall and English international Gareth Widdop will be the halves, with local junior Drew Hutchison, Canberran Josh McCrone and former Storm player Kurt Mann possible replacements in case of injuries.
New Zealand international Jason Nightingale looks likely to fill one wing position, Samoan international Peter Mata’utia the other, with local junior Yaw Kiti Glymin likely to miss out. Gone to the Queensland Reds rugby union side is Fijian crowd-pleaser Eto Nabuli.
Competition is strong for the centre positions, with Mann (88kg) and Samoan international Tim Lafai (96kg) likely to force Dragons junior Euan Aitken (92kg) out, along with injured Dylan Farrell (102kg), Taane Milne (99kg), and Samoa and New Zealand representative Kalifa Faifai Loa (95kg).
Charly Runciman has gone to Widnes Vikings, but where McGregor could have justified a spot for former Titans centre James Roberts remains unclear.
The competition in the centres is likely to see Josh Dugan (102kg) remain at fullback, with returning lightweight Dragons junior Adam Quinlan (80kg) a likely replacement during Origin.
The Dragons halves have a competent backline and a strong forward pack to lead around the park in 2016. As such, I am tipping a top year for Benji and Widdop, along with Frizell in the second row, who will benefit from the stronger front row.
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