St. George Illawarra Dragons 2015 Preview

2014 unravelled into another disappointing season for the Dragons, who after dominating the competition in the stretch between 2009-2011, have fallen away from the leading pack, peddling amongst the almost's and also rans last season in finishing 11th, and missing their third successive finals series.

Unfortunately coach Steve paid the Price for the lacklustre efforts of the side through the middle portion of the season after an explosive opening month which saw them win three on a trot and briefly sit top. His successor Paul ‘Mary' McGregor gave some reassuring middling results finishing the season 7-7 and adding New Zealand halfback Benji Marshall.

Those seven wins gave the faithful on the hills of Kogarah and Wollongong hope for the new season, with solid recruiting from the Dragons to beef up their maligned pack that was accused of being ‘soft' throughout 2014. McGregor's biggest challenge remains the Achilles heel of the big Red V, that being scoring points, as they have ranked in the lowest percent since Bennett left. Points may bring some excitement to a season that doesn't promise much from the Dragons besides some cameos from George Rose and combination play from Dugan, Marshall and Widdop.

WHY THEY'LL WIN IT
There is experience in the halves for the Dragons in both Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop who have both won premierships and if they can stick to the gameplan that St George refined during the Bennett era, both halves will have space to weave their magic. Added to this is a hungry group of backline stars who want to prove a point after the departure of club stalwart Brett Morris to the Bulldogs.

WHY THEY WON'T
They just aren't very good. Outside of the few pieces I outlined in the above paragraph there are some adequate first graders filling out the rest of the St George Illawarra squad. This is alright when you have the halves pairing of Manly or Melbourne which aren't residing in the south of Sydney so the Dragons will jag themselves a few wins over the course of the season but not enough to get themselves a top eight spot.

KEY PLAYER
Gareth Widdop
Widdop started his first season in the Red V with three man of the match performances that had Dragons fans gleeful of their new signing leading them back to the finals for the first time since 2011. Unfortunately the English international fell away across the rest of the season and will have to avoid a repeat, having a more consistent 2015 if the Dragons want to get close to contention for a finals position.

ROOKIE TO WATCH
Euan Aitken
Aitken is a young centre who has come through the Dragons lower grade system, impressing with his speed and footwork last year in the Holden Cup, His efforts earned Atkin a position in the full-time first grade squad for this season and a chance at the vacant centre spot which has been a revolving door since the departure of Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper.

PLAYER MOVEMENT
GAINS - Eto Nabuli (Panthers), Shannon Wakeman (Cutters), Rory O'Brien (Cutters), George Rose (Storm), Rulon Nutira (Gundagai Tigers), Jake Marketo (Redcliffe), Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard (Warriors) , Dane Nielsen (Warriors), Heath L'Estrange (Roosters), Beau Henry (Titans), Kris Keating (Hull KR), Justin Hunt (Eels)
LOSSES - Brett Morris (Bulldogs), Sam Williams (Raiders), Michael Witt (retired), Jack Bird (Sharks), Gerard Beale (Sharks), Josh Ailaomai, Bronson Harrison, Willie Mataka, Shane Pumipi, Matt Groat (Salford Red Devils), Jack Stockwell (Knights), Kyle Stanley (Sharks), Adam Quinlan (Eels)

BEST ROUND 1 LINE-UP
1. Josh Dugan
2. Eto Nabuli
3. Peter Mata'utia
4. Dylan Farrell
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Benji Marshall
8. Mike Cooper
9. Mitch Rein
10. Leeson Ah Mau
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Joel Thompson
13. Ben Creagh
Interchange: 14. Trent Merrin 15. Heath Le'Strange 16. Jake Marketo 17. George Rose