Can the Dragons prove everyone wrong in 2023?

The St. George Illawarra Dragons are set to kick off the 2023 season with a new look team, but questions remain as to whether the side has what it takes to compete for a spot in the top eight. While there are some exciting young players coming through the ranks, the lack of big-name signings has some fans worried about what the season has in store.

Strengths

One of the key players to watch this season will be Ben Hunt, who came close to winning the Dally M award last year. Hunt had one of the best years of his career since 2015, and is expected to play an important role in the Dragons' performance this season. Alongside Hunt, the Dragons have a talented young center pairing in Zac Lomax and Moses Suli. Suli was a surprising signing last year, and proved to be a valuable asset to the team, almost earning back the money he was bought for. Lomax has been a growing force in the game for a few years now, and the combination of Lomax and Suli is a solid one-two punch on either side.

Weaknesses

Despite the talent in the squad, there are also reasons to be concerned about the Dragons' performance in 2023. The team has not been able to make it into the top eight in recent years, and this season presents a few big issues. The Dragons have not made any big-name signings, and have lost a few key players from the previous season. One player that has caused some concern is Tariq Sims, who has been known to make some questionable decisions on the field. It is sad to see a talented player like Sims not fully reaching his potential, but the Dragons have some good replacements in the pipeline.

The Big Question

The spine of the team is one area where the Dragons will need to step up this season. The starting lineup is still up in the air, but Tyrell Sloan is expected to take the fullback spot, as Cody Ramsey has sadly been ruled out for the season. Ramsay came out of nowhere to prove himself as a valuable player, and his determination to succeed is sure to make him a fan favorite. The rest of the spine is yet to be confirmed, but there have been whispers that Moses Mbye could be dropped into the spine. Mbye has been a Mr. Fix-It for the team in the past, playing in a variety of positions including hooker, fullback, and five-eighth. It remains to be seen whether he'll be called on in 2023, but he could be a key player for the Dragons this season.

Wrapping Up

The St. George Illawarra Dragons have a talented young squad, but there are concerns about their ability to make it into the top eight this season. The lack of big-name signings and the loss of some key players have fans worried, but there is a lot of promise in the team's young stars. The spine of the team is still a work in progress, but Ben Hunt's combination with Jayden Sullivan is an exciting one to watch. Only time will tell if the Dragons have what it takes to succeed in 2023, but one thing is for sure, there will be plenty of excitement and drama along the way.

Longy & Burgz both predict a bottom 5 finish for the Dragons