2025 Preview: St George Illawarra Dragons

Embed from Getty Images

Justin Davies dissects where it's headed for the lads in the Red V in 2025.

The Dragons enter year two of the Shane Flanagan administration looking to continue their momentum after a solid season in 2024 which saw them finish 11th 

but remain in finals contention for much of the year.

It was a paradoxical season for the joint venture - when they were good it led to wins against both Grand Finalists but at their worst, they were smashed by the Roosters and had whatever that game was against the Eels late in the season.

So, there is plenty for Flanagan to work on. The Dragons made errors like they were new slang terms invented by teens. They need to work on that and stiffen up their defense which saw them have a -126 point difference.

That is why the trio of Valentine Holmes, Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook have been brought in, to give the Dragons some added grit and score more points. There is also the possible addition of another forward for a lightweight pack to give them starch and maybe the Dragons can make the finals for the first time in six years.

Their backline looks much more potent with those names added alongside the skills of Tyrell Sloan, Moses Suli and Christian Tuipulotu. The season will hinge on their halves pairing - Kyle Flanagan and Lachlan Ilias - clicking and leading the team around after the loss of Ben Hunt who has headed back north.

Strap in for the ride because 2025 is going to be an interesting season for St George Illawarra Dragons and hopefully might be the one where they get a taste of finals football again.

Why They'll Win It

Somehow they catch fire with this halves pairing which has the Dragons scoring more points than last and they fix up some of their defensive issues. That would have them comfortably in the top eight and once you get there?

As Lloyd Christmas said in 'Dumb and Dumber' (1994) - "so you're telling me there is a chance?".

Why They Won't

Dragons have papered over some cracks with their signings of Clint Gutherson, Damien Cook and Valentine Holmes but there are still plenty of weaknesses in the side.

The forward pack is still light and a halves pairing of Illias and Flanagan is unproven.

There is just too many question marks for them to be in title contention but they should be in the top eight consideration again.

2025 fixture list

Key Players

Simply put, the Dragons go where their halves go. Can Kyle Flanagan gel enough with Lachlan Ilias to push the Dragons forward? Will Ilias play out of revenge after his Rabbitohs exit? Hopefully and if so, the Dragons will be fine.

Others to watch for is Clint Gutherson because the Dragons fullback position has been in flux recently and he can bring some stability. 

Jaydn Su'A had a strong campaign last year which saw him play Origin so he will want to back that up with another good season.

Another name to keep an eye on is Damien Cook, can he spark the joint venture from dummy half and get them on the front foot more often.

Breakthrough players

Sione Finau has played a game in each of the last two seasons and this season looks to be about establishing himself in a backline and getting a good run of games.

The two other names to watch out for are Loko Pasifika-Tonga who is an Under 19s NSW representative with huge raps; and Lyhkan King-Togia who had sporadic appearances last season.

Hayden Buchanan is another with big raps who is currently in their NSW Cup squad.

Player movement

IN: Damien Cook, Lachlan Ilias (South Sydney), Valentine Holmes (North Queensland), Clint Gutherson (Parramatta), Emre Guler (Canberra)

TOP 30: Blake Lawrie, Christian Tuipulotu, Clint Gutherson, Cody Ramsey*, Corey Allan, Damien Cook, Emre Guler, Francis Molo, Hame Sele, Hamish Stewart, Jack de Belin, Jacob Liddle, Jaydn Su'A, Kyle Flanagan, Lachlan Ilias, Luciano Leilua, Mathew Feagai, Michael Molo, Mikaele Ravalawa, Moses Suli, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Ryan Couchman, Sione Finau, Toby Couchman, Tom Eisenhuth, Tyrell Sloan, Valentine Holmes, Viliami Fifita
Note: Cody Ramsey is contracted to the club, but not part of the top 30 for salary cap purposes and will not play in 2025.

OUT: Zac Lomax (Parramatta), Savelio Tamale (Canberra), Max Feagai (Dolphins), Ben Hunt (Brisbane), Alec Tuitavake (Leigh), Jesse Marschke (North Sydney)

DEVELOPMENT: Corey Ackers, Dylan Egan, Finau Latu, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Ben Murdoch-Masila

Predicted best 17

1. Clint Gutherson
2. Tyrell Sloan
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Moses Suli
5. Christian Tuipulotu
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Blake Lawrie
9. Damien Cook
10. Emre Guler
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su'A
13. Jack De Belin

14. Jacob Liddle
15. Toby Couchman
16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
17. Tom Eisenhuth