As part of a series profiling the expected Round 1 sides for all 17 NRL clubs in 2024, it’s time to check in with Shane Flanagan’s rebuild at the Dragons.
Several spots are up for grabs at St George Illawarra heading into Round 1 with key players eyeing off a change of positions.
Ben Hunt is locked in at halfback after Flanagan convinced him to stay after his attempts to get a release but very few other spots are set in stone.
The Dragons still have plenty of money to spend for the 2024 season and will have much more the following year but have thus far been unable to land a high-profile recruit.
And two of the players they’ve brought in to boost their depth are already goners – Corey Allan suffered a torn ACL at training and will not be able to suit up for the duration of his one-year contract while young playmaker Ronald Volkman has been released after he failed a medical test on his shoulder after signing late in the off-season from the Warriors.
Flanagan built his success at the Sharks on defence so fixing the Dragons’ tendency to leak points will be his first priority next season.
Zac Lomax has stated he’s keen to try his hand at five-eighth while Flanagan will also consider him at fullback while back-rower Jack Bird could be heading back to the centres after training there in the off-season.
Who’s new?
Kyle Flanagan was purchased as a bench utility but will likely start at five-eighth following Junior Amone being stood down due to being found guilty of assault. Rabbitohs forward Hame Sele and Storm veteran Tom Eisenhuth will bolster the pack while Allan could have been a handy acquisition out wide.
The former Maroons representative’s future is clouded as he only signed a one-year deal at the Dragons but will miss the entire season after bouncing around Brisbane, Souths, Canterbury and the Roosters.
Volkman’s shoulder problem means the Dragons will scour the market to see if they can find another back-up playmaker.
Junior Amone. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
Who’s gone?
Amone avoided jail time after being found guilty of intimidation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm but his NRL contract is set to be deregistered.
His fellow young playmaker Jayden Sullivan has joined the Wests Tigers while the rest of the players who have left in the off-season were not regular starters.
Moses Mbye and Zane Musgrove are finishing their careers in the Super League while Billy Burns (Sharks), Jaiyden Hunt (Broncos), Nick Lui-Toso (Wests Tigers) and unsigned journeymen Tyrell Fuimaono and Tautau Moga have departed.
Key spots to unlock
Hunt and hooker Jacob Liddle will make up two spots in the spine but fullback and five-eighth need to be settled.
Kyle Flanagan is set to start the year alongside Hunt in the halves while Tyrell Sloan faces a fight to retain the No.1 jersey.
Sloan had way too many defensive lapses last year despite showing his line-breaking ability in attack and Lomax could get a chance in the trials to show he can handle fullback after spending the majority of his career at centre.
Tyrell Sloan of the Dragons. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Cody Ramsey is likely to miss a second straight season due to the inflammatory bowel condition ulcerative colitis, but the club is hopeful he can revive his career in 2025.
The forward pack will be similar to last season with young guns Ryan and Toby Couchman, Viliami Fifita and Alec Tuitavake getting more game time as the season progresses.
Round 1 predicted team
1 Tyrell Sloan
2 Mikaele Ravalawa
3 Moses Suli
4 Zac Lomax
5 Mat Feagai
6 Kyle Flanagan
7 Ben Hunt
8 Blake Lawrie
9 Jacob Liddle
10 Francis Molo
11 Jack Bird
12 Jaydn Su’A
13 Jack de Belin
Interchange
14 Ronald Volkman
15 Toby Couchman
16 Tom Eisenhuth
17 Hame Sele
Other squad members: Talatau Amone (suspended), Corey Allan (injured – torn ACL), Cody Ramsey (unavailable due to illness), Michael Molo, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Paul Turner, Dan Russell, Ryan Couchman, Max Feagai, Viliami Fifita, Sione Finau, Savelio Tamale, Alec Tuitavake.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Some players can see a club possibly on the rise , with the Tigers. As they can see some decent young players there . Who’ve had junior rep level success at the Tigers , in the last few years. What could any of the players you’ve named, see in coming to the Dragons right now? They could all go to other clubs who’ve got a real chance of success, in the near future. Other than a permanent first grade position & probably being paid overs at the Dragons. Add in a seaside or bayside lifestyle. What’s the draw with going to the Dragons? I think the Dragons could well & truly do what Penrith has done for a few years. Build from within & on top of their local juniors ( Illawarra juniors in the Dragons case ) . Not sure if they need a clean out & restructure of the juniors system. As Gus Gould implemented at Penrith? Yet they do have it within their grasp, to go that same route.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Lomax seemed to get it together with his goalkicking later in the year but he truly was atrocious early. There simply wasn't another regular kicker to turn to. That's not a reason to select Flanagan of course but it's a nice bonus. I recall Flanagan being a bit of a sharpshooter when he was at the Roosters. I agree on Hunt. I've been thinking for a couple of years I would like to see him at 6 with Sullivan at 7. Get the responsibility of managing the set off Hunt - he's not particularly good at it - and let him cut loose with whatever opportunity he sees - which he is very good at. Perhaps Flanagan snr tries for that with Flanagan jnr. Suspect they won't want to upset Hunt though and he clearly wants to wear the 7.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
Ken, i'm with you on the goalkicking. Flicka used to be very reliable, but maybe if he doesn't have to kick he can concentrate more on his game. what do you think - benny never looks that comfy running the show (who would considering this is the Dragons), does Flanno Jnr play organiser and Hunt runs more?
Bernie
Roar Rookie
he's called "unemployed".
Tony
Roar Guru
I liked Moga. Certainly knew his way to the try line
Tony
Roar Guru
Yeah, he's called "The Hammer" now
KenW
Roar Rookie
They'd be silly not to be looking at those options, the reason they signed Volkman in the first place was to have competition/backup for that 5/8th role. In defence of the Flanagan option though. His best year was 2020 when, despite being halfback, he was clearly the junior half to Keary at the Roosters. They still chose Walker over him for 2021 but he went to the Dogs to be the dominant, long-term half. It was there it all fell apart, where he had a rotating roster of makeshift 5/8ths next to him and then ultimately was dropped himself. A few years down the track, with far less pressure and next to Ben Hunt, who knows? He might become a useful cog - certainly can't hurt that he's a great goalkicker - Dragons would have been nowhere near the spoon if Lomax hadn't been so wayward early in the year.
Adam Taylor
Roar Rookie
Five Eight is a big issue, Kyle is average at best. They need to approach other clubs with a swap deal or to help them with roster pressure. The Titans have 3 fullbacks Brimson/Campbell/Kini who can all play a running 5/8 role? Join the race for young Ethan Sanders at Parra? Tom Duffy from the cowboys? Pezet from the Storm? Nikorima from the Dolphins? Douhei from the Tigers?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Well, Volkman is out so I don't know why he's named on the bench. I'm also quite confused as to the lack of interest in retaining Tautau Moga. He would be a handy back up and quite capable of holding his own in top grade. Given Allan is out for the year I'd be on the 'phone to Moga quicksmart.
Redcap
Roar Guru
One of the best fullbacks of all time often refused to even attempt a tackle if he believed the front-line had been sloppy and/or lazy in allowing a break. Seems reasonable to me.
Dutski
Roar Guru
I like Dufty. It bugs me that he got turfed for someone with the same defensive liabilities, less penetration at the line and a lesser passing game.
Redcap
Roar Guru
14 Ronald Volkman. Other squad members: Talatau Amone... This piece could use some updating.
Redcap
Roar Guru
"Sloan is the poor man’s Dufty. There. I said it." Sounds like a compliment to me.
Tetley
Roar Rookie
Flanno is the key. Hasn't been a top line coach for a bit but I suspect he's still got what it takes. I'm wondering if they'll be Dolphins-like under his command. Aiming to be competitive week-in and week-out is a good ambition for them as a team.
Nat
Roar Guru
This team really needs a dominant prop. The 11,12,13 are as talented as most clubs. Flanno could do worse than looking at Paul Turner to partner Hunt. Turner has a lot of skills but his chances get hindered by injury.
langparker
Roar Rookie
Geez, that pack certainly wouldn’t strike fear into many opponents, and the backline also looks susceptible.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Lomax to fullback surely. Sloan is the poor man’s Dufty. There. I said it.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
One of the consistently best 6's in the NRL last season was Kodi Nikorima. Can handle all spine positions better than competently, off contract in '25 and with the young blokes coming thru at the Dolphins could be ready for a coffee and chat with Flanno.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Doesn’t look like the Dragons have lost anyone they needed, nor have they gained anyone of note. I think 2024 might be a bad year for merged clubs.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Agree on the Feagai twins, was really excited as they came through but they just don't give the impression of being first grade level. And their defensive frailties make Sloan look like The Axe. I think there's a lot untapped talent in the roster though, Lomax, Suli, Sloan, Couchman x2 - experienced guys in the forwards like Molo & Su'a have also been hit and miss for the Dragons. The addition of Sele will be more than useful in the forwards. No-one will be claiming it's the strongest squad in the comp but if Flanagan has something to add to their consistency and mettle then I reckon he has something to work with.