2022 Preview: St George Illawarra Dragons

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The famous Red V get the once-over today from Justin Davies as our NRL club preview series for 2022 continues.

Year two of the Anthony Griffin experience gets underway as St George Illawarra hope to turn back into contenders instead of pretenders like late 2021. 

2021 left a bad taste in a lot of Dragons fans' mouths after the disappointing back-end to the year - the now infamous 'BBQ scandal' which saw them lose every game after Round 16. It also spelt the end for some more divisive characters in the side. Before that, the Dragons were breathing fire, highlighted by a four-game win streak including a bruising victory over Parramatta. 

Now, Griffin has got the broom out and remodeled the team to - hopefully - become a side that sparks joy for the Red V faithful in 2022. Moses Suli, Francis Molo, Jaydn Su'A and Moses Mbye are the four names that will see the most action this season. Adding them to some exciting talent coming through the ranks might see them get out of the bottom rung. 

The first six weeks of the season is tough for the Dragons with five of their games against teams who made the top eight in 2021, including both Grand Finalists in Penrith and Souths. If they can find at least two or three wins in that passage of the season, it might set them up for a solid year. If not, it might be a long, long season for the Red V.

One positive for the joint venture is the youth that will see extended time in 2022. Tyrell Sloan and Talatau Amone will likely start in Round 1 and bring fans some joy. Combine them with Ben Hunt hopefully having a full season, and the Dragons should be competitive in every game - but still have a while to go before they are contenders for both the top eight and the Provan-Summons Trophy. 

Why they'll win it

I mean they won the Charity Shield - which is like a Grand Final in recent seasons for the Dragons - after their decade long drought.

Oh, you meant the regular season? I guess if they can replicate the form before 'BBQ-gate'.

A good kicking game from Ben Hunt, some spark from their backline including the fabulous Mikaele Ravalawa and Zac Lomax connection and a workman forward pack could see them march back into that number ('that number' being the top eight!).

Why they won't

There is still a ways to go before the Dragons are a contender again. There are some good pieces in place already in the backline and spine to create attack. The problem is being consistent and getting it all together at one time.

A lot of the signings from coach Anthony Griffin can be considered boom-or-bust and if they are the latter, it might be another long year for the Saints.

Key players

Every year seems to be a referendum on Ben Hunt. The halfback is under constant pressure due to usually either his form or his contract. Last year, he showed tremendous leadership as Dragons captain but again, he'll be key to them going anywhere with the youngsters around him. 

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin went bargain shopping in the off-season, finishing with a much changed forward pack for his troubles. If the likes of Francis Molo, George Burgess and Aaron Woods can supplement the big signing of Jaydn Su'A, the Dragons pack might be able to take over some games much like they did in early 2021.

Breakthroughs to watch

It might be considered cheating to choose three people here, but I think it is warranted to give Dragons fans some hope going forward. The triumvirate of spine players who should get plenty of game time this season in Tyrell Sloan, Talatau Amone and Jayden Sullivan all had cameos in 2021. Now they will be thrust into the spotlight and hopefully help turn the fortunes around. 

Amone should get first crack at the halves alongside Ben Hunt, while Sloan will take the fullback role and has already shown his exciting talent in scoring half a dozen tries in his late season cameo. Sullivan has been this writer's 'pick of the bunch' since his first appearance. He will come off the bench as a utility but has the spark to turn a game on its head quickly.

Best 17

1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Cody Ramsay
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Talatau Amone
7. Ben Hunt
8. Francis Molo
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Blake Lawrie
11. Jaydn Su'A
12. Jack Bird
13. Jack De Belin

14. Moses Mbye
15. Tariq Sims
16. George Burgess
17. Aaron Woods

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