The Dragons need to finalise their Gareth Widdop exit – i.e. Brexit – strategy now that the St George Illawarra skipper and five-eighth has finalised his own plan to quit the Dragons at the end of the 2019 season.
His plan is to return to his native England and join former Dragons coach Steve Price at Super League side Warrington Wolves. Widdop has signed a three-year deal with Warrington and will link up with them for the 2020 Super League campaign which will possibly see out his career, if he does not get sick of the weather in England.
Widdop, a premiership winner with the Storm, said “The reason we play this game is to win premierships. We have the squad to win it this year and I’ll be doing everything possible to achieve that.”
Dragons coach Paul McGregor has remained silent on Widdop’s move until now. McGregor is expected to use Widdop’s send off this year as part of his motivational strategy.
Gareth Widdop of the Dragons. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Corey Norman clearly also forms a vital part of the Dragons plan for the year, but once again coach McGregor has been silent as to how he intends to use Norman in the team.
It is widely expected that Norman will take Widdop’s place in the Dragons team at five-eighth with Widdop moving to fullback – a position he has played for England.
All this leaves the Dragons exciting but defensively challenged incumbent fullback Matt Dufty who played virtually all of 2018 without an obvious spot in the team.
The Dragons have allowed 29-year-old Widdop to walk away from the final two years of his contract on compassionate grounds, but the Dragons have been silent on whether they sought or agreed any player swap with Warrington for the early release.
Under the terms of the release, the Halifax-raised five-eighth Widdop must play for the Dragons if he were to return to the NRL.
This same condition has worked to the Dragons benefit already with the 2019 season return of ex-Dragons centre Charly Runciman with Runciman having been ever present in an injury-depleted Widnes Vikings squad for the past two seasons.
Runciman adds to a large number of Dragons squad members vying for the wing and centre positions in the Dragons backline, although once again coach McGregor has been silent on the matter.
Barring injuries my expected Dragons team for Round 1 is:
1. Gareth Widdop
2. Matt Dufty
3. Euan Aitken
4. Tim Lafai (main challengers Zac Lomax, Charly Runciman)
5. Jordan Pereira (main challengers Jonus Pearson, Mikaela Ravalawa)
6. Corey Norman
7. Ben Hunt
8. James Graham
9. Cameron McInnes
10. Paul Vaughan
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Tariq Sims
13. Jack de Belin (Possible replacement if/when suspended Jacob Host)
14. Korbin Sims
15. Luciano Leilua
16. Jeremy Latimore
17. Blake Lawrie
The Dragons play two tough trials against the Knights and Rabbitohs where their strategy will be put to the test.
Paul
Roar Guru
I meant to ask Walter, why would the Dragons not consider a 3 way rotation with Whiddop, Dufty and Norman? Whiddop is the only constant who would play every game but for some he might play fullback and others 5/8. Where he plays fullback, Dufty is benched and comes on as an impact player and where Whiddop plays 5/8, Norman is benched and Dufty plays fullback? Maybe an option at least to start the season and see how things pan out from there?
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Widdop is still signed for 3 years so there must be space.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
All is silent from the Dragons, maybe McGregor has no idea, but you do not buy players for ISP.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
I agree.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm not hugely fussed about the back room deals around this move Walter. I think we have to treat it on face value; Whiddop plays out this year, hopefully helps the mighty Dragons win a premiership then goes back to the Old Dart. I think it would be a reckless move on Saints part to muck Dufty around. He needs to remain a part of the first team squad, otherwise I can see him following the best utility player in Kurt Mann, out the door.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm not sure we have enough money to buy a top quality player peeeko, even if Whiddop's salary space was made immediately available. Quality players are after 2 or 3 year deals which then potentially means shedding players to fit someone in. That starts to get ugly.
Nat
Roar Guru
I feel like a bit of a hypocrite in saying this but I think Widdop should stay at 5/8 (only because I was calling for him to go to FB this time last yr). I said that because I was impressed with Widdop during 2017 WC in the custodian role but I think the Dragons lose too much in organisation if they move him back there this year. Further, he is a good foil for Hunt where Hunt/Norman are both creators but not much by way of organising. Most likely Norman will become Hunt's partner in the years to come but no season is a warm up for the next. Where does Norman play this year? He could play FB, he has the experience and game awareness if he can learn to control the defensive line. He doesn't have the sheer speed of Dufty but he has is a 2nd kicking and ball playing option for someone of Dufty's pace should he find himself on the wing. BTW, don't get too caught up in Pearson. For all of his natural features, he's had multiple starts with the Broncos but he seems one of those players who is stuck between ISP and NRL level of talent. I wish him well, just an opinion.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
I think Aitken was carrying injuries. Basically if Aitken is not going forward he is injured. Lafai worries me defensively but you could be right about Dufty's impact off the bench.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Dufty, will presumably be back to fullback when Widdop is gone and needs good game time to improve, which is why I prefer him on the wing which is less challenging defensively than fullback. I also would not discount his ability to break the line bring the ball back from a kick. Interesting to see also what the 20=40 rule change makes for wingers, Dufty may cope better with it than bigger wingers.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep. I was a big fan of Runciman as he progressed through the juniors & Holden Cup, and I was most surprised that the Dragons let him go to Widnes. But maybe they were right, as he really hasn't set the stage alight over there these past two years ? It will be interesting to see if he works better with better quality players around him at Kogarah ? You have outlined a pretty strong looking squad on paper. My only query would be on Dufty as a winger ? If he's too small and defensively frail to hold down the fullback role, I see him even less suited to the winger's position where he would still be under constant defensive & high ball pressure and offers little in metre eating off his own line. He is best suited as a bench attacker for mine, with nominal game time in the spine positions.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Walter, I like your team but I really think Dufty should be on the bench. There are enough solid bodies to cover forwards (ie Lafai) and Dufty would be dynamite towards the end of halves when legs are tired. I see Jai Field as fading off the scene this year more than Dufty. Lomax needs to be brought on in the centres asap. I was disappointed with Aitken last year. After being in line for Origin he faltered badly. Needs to battle Lafai for a centre spot or push Lafai out to wing so he can bring the ball back on kick returns.
danwain
Guest
I would imagine Lomax will be in that starting 13 in one of the centre positions, with Aitken or Lafai pushing out to the wing and Dufty being left out altogether.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Isn't that why Norman's there? I find it hard to believe that the Dragons would jump on an availible 5/8 without knowing that their own was moving on at the end of the season
peeeko
Roar Guru
i reckon that if a top quality player that suits the Dragons comes on to the market before season start, the Dragons will let Widdop go early
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
The Dragons have been very quiet on the return of Charly Runciman and he still does not feature on their ISP or NRL squad lists despite Mat Head ISP coach acknowledging that he has been in training since mid-December. It could be that he is not in favour with Coach McGregor as he left after being ignored by him or alternatively they have already named 28 or 29 of the 30 man NRL squad and want to keep the remaining positions open to cover injuries or finally they may simply have run out of salary cap for the NRL squad in 2019, but will have plenty free after Widdop leaves in 2020.