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)
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah they do. Broncs have lost Parker, Wallace and Reed. Overall Parker didn't have his best season last year but they'll miss him. Reed didn't play too much. Wallace is a loss in the position with least depth. Cowboys Hannant, Kostjasyn and Tamou. A loss having Hannant retire on the back of Tamou leaving. Leaves them a bit skinny especially if Scott is injured. Storm have turned a few over as they usually do but have lost Green and Proctor. I reckon Storm 6s have it pretty easy and play a pretty simple game. Green, Widdop and even Ben Roberts have looked good down there recently. Green is good but he'll be adequately replaced especially if Slater plays. I have a feeling that Proctor will be one of those forwards that look far better at Melbourne than elsewhere. He runs good lines but Cronk makes it easy for him. Even though they've lost the most players they're probably least affected. It's a bold call that all three will miss the 8. But interesting.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I didn't trot out anything about Bulldogs superiority...it was you that made a big deal about Mann's strike rate being better than any Dogs player. Twice. As I've said I don't think a couple of players try strike rate is relevant to much regardless of who was better. It's certainly nothing to brag about. But facts are facts. I wasn't the Lone Ranger about Ferguson and Dugan but unlike Charles happy to admit I was wr-wr-wrong. About Ferguson. ?
souvalis
Guest
All 3 look weaker to me too.
Adam
Guest
I liked what I saw from Dugan at centre in the 4 Nations, and if it means getting Matt Dufty into first grade, Mary needs to do it. Injection of new players into the side like MacDonald will be good for the team and if we can play a bit more adlib we will go alright.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Deano will suffice Baz, and no I didn't bother to look though I suspected Morris was thereabouts. Trotting out an ex-Dragon legend that you poached, and a bloke who played one game and fell over the line twice, as examples of Bulldog superiority is clutching at straws. I could go to town on you like you have with Charles, after your string of recent comments regarding both Ferguson and Dugan with The Australian team.
sham
Guest
Their backs lack class. They need at least one class centre and while Nightingale is solid he is slow. Hard to see where their points will come from.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Dean, Deanie?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Big call eye...only one, at best, of storm, Cowboys, Broncos make the 8...?
The eye
Guest
Sharks,especially if they get Segyeyaro,Raiders,Titans and Penrith..best and deepest rosters...Souths,Roosters and Manly,fill the seven....rest are fighting for 8th..
The Barry
Roar Guru
If you like...but check the facts first. Reimis Smith played one game and scored two tries (200% strike rate). Brett Morris played 11 games and scored 10 tries (91%). Tyrone Phillips played five games and scored four tries (80%). All better than Mann. But is it relevant to anything? My point was Mann was a flop as a fullback. Imagine how many tries he might of scored if he wasn't playing reserve grade for half the season? If the most you've got to hang your hat on for 2016 is that one Dragons player had a better try scoring strike rate than some Bulldogs players, it was a worse season than I thought.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Knights in 16th? I don't think thats a gimme, they might finish 17th
Albo
Guest
Yep ! I can't see any shocks coming from that lot in 2017 . Apart from the shock of them selecting Kurt Mann in front of Taane Milne in the centres ? They have just 4 x handy first graders in my humble opinion in Frizzell, Dugan, Aitken & Milne, but not one creative player amongst them. The rest would be fringe players at most other clubs. The only creative player they have is the Leilua kid and we don't know if they are going to keep him ? I can't see them going anywhere till they clean out their whole recruitment & administration group.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
My shock me and come 3rd last instead of 2nd last
correct sometimes
Guest
actually everyone wrote them off as coming close to last
Doug Graves
Guest
Just like their namesake the Dragons are a myth. They haven't won more games than they've lost since 2011 and their signings for 2017 won't be changing that. To be honest they remind me a lot of the Tigers recently, constantly rebuilding and occasionally threatening to actually do something but always running out of puff in the end. Anyway it looks like another long season ahead for them, they should be happy escaping the bottom 4 (but they won't).
Stu
Guest
I think the Dragons have a chance to get in the top 8, but only just. I just can't see them threatening the likes of Storm, Broncos, Panthers, Cowboys, Souths or Raiders in terms of cattle and coach.
Gus Paella
Guest
This article is one of those 'on paper' things. "On paper we look good.... and with a bit of improvement from the boys..." Problem is your opposition always looks good on paper too. I may be on my own here but I don't think Dugan is the fullback this team needs. Already low on creativity and possibly confidence I think a full back who can come into the line and ball play a little might be more beneficial.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
We'll take that as a no then.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He scored his tries on the wing not from fullback.
Chris Morrison
Guest
Have some really good players but unfortunately 6,7&9 let them down. The Dragons offence last season was terrible and have bought McInnes into the side. Cameron is a really solid player. His defence is exceptional. However, it doesn't put points on the board. Dragons should of thrown the house at Cronk. If they had of got their man then I would say that the dragons could make a great go at it but without a dominant halfback calling the shots so that Widdop is free to play his back up half role which he does really well (not an organising half) the Dragons will once again be down the bottom end of it sadly for dragons fans.