St George Illawarra Dragons 2016 season in review

2016 was another tumultuous season for the Dragons as they continued to spiral down the ladder and missed the finals series as they finished in a disappointing 11th position.

For much of the season it seemed Paul McGregor didn't know who his best 17 players were, as he chopped and changed so much throughout the campaign - the Dragons used 29 players across the whole season.

This atmosphere of unsuredness showed through their results, they were held to zero by the 2015 grand finalists early in the season and weren't able to break out of the dour style of football that was associated with the Wayne Bennett era at the club - highlighted by being finishing with the second worst attack (14.2 points per game) just above the wooden spoon Knights, and the usually resolute wall of defense was reduced to rubble -as once they were several tries behind, the contest was almost gone.

For all the doom and gloom - the Dragons did produce a few notable results for themselves over the season as they earned late season bragging rights with a 32-18 victory over eventual premiers Cronulla, thanks to a Tariq Sims double. They also grabbed victory over the other three teams who contested the preliminary finals (albeit a few were during the Origin period) but late in the season, there were some signs of future promise when Luciano Leilua and Taane Milne were introduced into the first grade side, both rookies producing some solid displays.

So with a small clean out of the squad and McGregor introducing more young talent from the Holden Cup side that finished in 3rd position, next season might bring happier days for the team in the big Red V as they try to appease one of the tougher fan bases in the NRL.

Turning points

The toxic atmosphere at the Dragons reached it's zenith in Round 22 after a 12-8 defeat to the Broncos, their fifth in a row as fans once again drew their signs to 'Oust Doust' and 'Fail Mary', and they had some good points as the Dragons had faltered into a dark place since their premiership success in 2010.  

Things looked to have turned around the next weekend as they defeated Cronulla but it seems like the fans were fed up with Mary and back-to-back thrashings to Roosters and Eels didn't help. McGregor held on by the skin of his teeth so it will be interesting to see how long of a leash he is given in 2017 with a backdrop of disenfranchised fans wanting change at the club.  

What worked

In the ten victories the Dragons accrued over season 2016 - the big thing that helped them was actually breaking away from their defensive game plan and allowing the team to play some football with the halves dictating the play. The best example was their explosive first half against the Roosters on ANZAC Day as they flew out to a three try lead.

What didn't work

Defensive football. It seems the Dragons, despite several coaching changes since 2010, haven't evolved their style of play. The side continues to take three or four hit ups before a sweep play or a bomb, which was defused 8/10 times. The frustration was evident in the play of both Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop who couldn't find the combination they did in 2015, and were dropped on occasion. For any success in 2017 - the Dragons need to stick to a settled halves combination and open up the shoulders a bit.  

Best Players

Tyson Frizell was a standout for the Dragons - the former Welsh international earned his maiden NSW and Australian caps this season off his performances with 2,009 run metres as he poked his head through the line on most occasions.

An honourable mention to Kurt Mann who responded from his horror game in round 2 against the Sharks to be the Dragons' leading try-scorer with 10. Young centre Euan Aitken also had a superb first full season in first grade with seven tries and 79 tackle breaks - and a future NSW jersey might be in the offing for the centre.

Lower Grades

Holden Cup Under 20's

There wasn't a lot to scream about in first grade but there was some joy in the lower grades for the Dragons fans. The Holden Cup side finished 3rd and came close to their maiden grand final appearance, falling short against the Roosters in the preliminary final.

Intrust Super Premiership

The Dragons' NSWRL feeder club the Illawarra Cutters went one step further than their Under 20 counterparts, running out grand final winners against Mounties in the last ever match at Pirtek Stadium, then put on a first half clinic at ANZ Stadium on NRL Grand Final Day to be the first State Champions from NSW, smashing the Burleigh Bears 54-12.

Best Line Up for 2017

*based on current signings

1. Josh Dugan
2. Kurt Mann
3. Taane Milne
4. Euan Aitken
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Drew Hutchinson
8. Leeson Ah Mau
9. Cameron McInnes
10. Mose Masoe
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Joel Thompson
13. Jack De Belin 

14. Paul Vaughan
15. Tariq Sims
16. Jake Marketo
17. Will Matthews