This is Part 2 of my NRL ladder prediction for season 2023. The Knights have already claimed the dubious honour of the predicted wooden spoon, now it’s time for the teams that will finish 15th and 14th.
15th: St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons finished the 2022 season off strong: winning their final three matches and moving their way up to 10th on the ladder. Despite another poor season from St George, Ben Hunt was the most-improved player and was certainly the Dragons’ most consistent performer. Hunt went as far as finishing in the top three on the Dally M leaderboard, just a single point behind James Tedesco.
Hunt was the light at the end of the tunnel for St George last season and hopefully for Dragons fans, he can have others join him and reach the finals for the first time since 2018.
The Dragons’ off-season was one of the driest in the league, as they couldn’t secure anything close to a marquee signing. The worst thing that they could do during the off-season was nothing, and that’s simply what happened. Respectfully, when your struggling club is in need of players, and your best signing from the off-season is Ben Murdoch-Masila, there’s something going wrong.
Don’t get me wrong, Murdoch-Masila’s a good player, however it gives no reason towards why they should improve.
Jacob Liddle is set to take over Andrew McCullough in the 9 jersey, after the veteran’s retirement. Liddle was very versatile on the Tigers, however, it’s doubtful they’ll be able to get anything spectacular out of him.
Anthony Griffin is entering his third season as head coach and his head may be on the chopping block very soon. Since taking the reins, Griffin hasn’t taken them far and a poor start to the season is almost certain to lead to a firing.
Expect Griffin to make mass changes if positive results don’t come out of the first few games, as it’s his only possible way out of life support. There’s no reason for Illawarra to improve this season and the club is a filthy mess, which is why I have them finishing 14th.
14. The Dolphins
The NRL’s brand new toy will be introduced this season, as the Dolphins will be added as the 17th team. There have been many mixed emotions regarding how the NRL has handled this introduction and how Wayne Bennet’s crew have handled this themselves. No one can predict how their first season is actually going to pan out, however not many have given them too high of hopes.
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett talks to his players during training. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
This is fair, as it’s very hard for any new side to be overly competitive in their opening year, especially when you’ve only been given 18 months to prepare. It’s almost impossible for any new team to organise and create a strong squad in that amount of time.
The Dolphins spent a lot of their time scouting their X-factor player, which they were unable to find, although they’ve built a roster which could show surprises. Cameron Munster was supposed to be the rock who would hold this team together, and unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’d know that Munster has already re-signed with Melbourne.
I’m sure an A-list player will arrive in the future, however for now they’ve got to try to make as much of an impact as possible in their first season. The Dolphins won’t be good enough to make the finals, however if they’re able to finish outside of the bottom six, I’d grade that as a success.
Gus O
Guest
Nothing boring about the Dragons situation, it’s way past that Adam. Years of inept recruitment/retention has resulted in a 2023 squad that is less capable and gives less hope than 2022. Other teams are moving up with clear strategy and intent. That’s what i want to see from the Dragons - acknowledgment that we have a real problem and a clear plan to turn it around. Advocating for change or discussing options may not be uncritical support, but it is very different to gleeful death riding.
Gus O
Guest
Yes, two highly regarded premiership winning coaches are available now. Neither is worn out from a recent stint at Wests Tigers. Only one of them will want to recruit Kyle Flanagan.
Gus O
Guest
More options now than when Hook was hired. Hire Des or Flanno as a long term option.
GB
Roar Rookie
I think O'Brien will be the first coach to go with Griffin following not long after.
The Wollongong Ocean
Roar Rookie
Dragons looking grim. Poor recruitment last 2 years, recruitment not bad before this but coaching was not great. Griffin can coach but will struggle to attract players. Roster is poor: Woods and Lawrie not top level, Sloan mistake ridden, Amone too slow and now not available. Miracle if they make the 8
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Andrew McDonald. Donald Trump. The Bunker.
Tony
Roar Guru
Hasler, Flanagan or Ryles
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Woods , your Fired !!!!!!!
Saints
Guest
Any suggestions for replacement coach
Damien Calgaro
Roar Rookie
Dragons for the spoon. With the absolute rubbish they have served up for over a decade now they actually deserve more than one. They need to come dead last for the embarrassment of it to shake the club up and then maybe there will be some sort of change?
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
I could see Trump as a first grade coach. He would make Saints great again.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
You're so negative. The later they replace him the better. Stability is the key now for the dragons. That just allows preparation to be a fluid, natural process and the dragons stay right away from musical chairs. St. George in full is actually Stability George Burgess. And the might dragon lives in the Woods, is always on the Hunt with Hooks rather than talons. True story.
UAP
Guest
No expert only guru.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Bem Hunt is the only reason I don't think the Dragons will finish last. He is realistically the second best or even best 7 in the comp. That is a big thing for St George. If he gets injured......
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
You’re right there. I was hoping the Woods homecoming to the Tigers would eventuate. Both he and Mbye are complete duds that have no right to be in the top 17
Succhi
Roar Rookie
If hook gets hooked, not a lot of depth in the coaching ranks. I couldn’t see a coach with a team that is going well jump ship to join the Dragons. They could get someone like Dessie, Flanagan or Noddy or they have to take a punt on a current assistant coach.
UAP
Guest
Hugh Hook to go Trump to return
Hugh Jarz
Guest
Hook is simply a “Dead Man Walking” The bloke is a Trump fan…enough said
Dodgy Dragons
Roar Rookie
I think Hooks got until about the end of April to prove himself. His destiny is in his own hands. He either embraces the young talent that we have by giving them time in first grade from the beginning or stays on this ridiculous path of shoring the 17 up with mediocre veterans and results stay the same. Fans of the dragons can handle losses if the youth are getting a decent crack, but not dismal performances from veterans. Unless they have a good start, there should be no ink going near any contract page with the name Griffin on it, but we are talking dragons management here, probably get an extension after limping through the round 1 bye .
Tony
Roar Guru
You're probably right Ken, but perhaps the sooner they replace him the better, so that the new coach can be confirmed before the player market game of musical chairs starts again, and he has some time to properly prepare for next year and beyond