Dragons 2023 preview: Everything rests of Ben Hunt’s shoulders
If there’s one roster in the NRL that feels like it’s “walking dead men,” it’s the St George Illawarra lineup. Coach Anthony “Hook” Griffin may not make it past round 10, several players are already injured, retired or just having trouble firing, and all but Ben Hunt and a select few have really risen in the past few campaigns.
In 2019, the Dragons narrowly avoided the spoon. In 2023, the looming threat of last place — an agonizing failure the joint venture has never faced before — could become a reality.
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The Red V has already lost its luster with two finals since 2011, but it’s still falling.
Griffin, who was supposed to take the Dragons’ top spot and correct the mistakes Steve Price and Paul McGregor made at the club, has done little better to put the once great club back in the spotlight. Worse, he appears to be leading a regression at Wollongong with the magic of Ben Hunt, the only thing separating St George Illawarra from the rest of the chasing pack.
Brace yourself for a rough 2023 Dragons fans – there will be white knuckles all the way to the finish line when the wooden spoon appears on the horizon. Just cross your fingers that it ends up in someone else’s basket.
conclusion of the last year: 10th, 12 wins and 12 losses
Last ten NRL campaigns: 10th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 7th (Half), 9th, 11th, 8th (Qualification), 11th, 14th
Estimated line-up for round 1
- Tyrell Sloan
- Mikaele Ravalawa
- Moses Suli
- Zac Lomax
- Mat Feagai
- Jayden Sullivan
- Ben Hunt
- Jack de Belin
- Jacob Lidl
- BlakeLawrie
- Tyrell Fuimaono
- Jaydn Su’A
- jack bird
- Zane Musgrove
- Franz Molo
- Josh Kerr
- Ben Murdoch-Masila
Coach: Anthony Griffin
biggest loss: Tariq Sims, Andrew McCullough Biggest win: Zane Musgrove, Ben Murdoch-Masila
What 2023 looks like for St George Illawarra
It could be one of the worst single-season entries the St. George Illawarra joint venture has ever had. Their young five-eight starter Junior Amone is unlikely to play after he was drafted off by the NRL after being involved in an alleged hammer attack while 2022 full-back Cody Ramsey battles an intestinal disease, which has already benched him for the year.
Additionally, Anthony Griffin has recruited pretty poorly in terms of upgrades, Jayden Sullivan is fighting a losing battle to play in preseason, and the teams around them in the standings have signed stronger players for their rosters.
If the dragons can avoid the wooden spoon this year, that’s a small miracle.
In every way, it feels like the Red V is on hold until Griffin’s contract expires. The club made a huge mistake extending him earlier last season before a ball was kicked and now dodge having to pay him off early by sacking him. If he can steer his aging squad past 17th, it will be a success.
All hope rests on Ben Hunt’s shoulders. Last year he dragged a struggling Dragons squad to 10th place, far from the pack of 11th to last, but it might be even more of a challenge for him this time.
Expected end of 2023: 17
The first five: Bye, Titans (H), Broncos (A), Sharks (H), Dolphins (H)
TopSport Odds: Premiers $71, Make Top 4: $10, Reach Finals 8: $4, Miss Top 8: $1.18
minimum score: Everything that is not the wooden spoon.
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