Dragons 2023 preview: Everything rests on Ben Hunt’s shoulders

3 years ago - Sportingbase

If there’s one squad in the NRL that feels like it’s “dead men walking,” it’s the St George Illawarra lineup. Coach Anthony “Hook” Griffin may not make it past round 10, several players are already injured, stood down, or simply struggling to fire, and all but Ben Hunt and a chosen few have really stood up in the past few campaigns.

In 2019, the Dragons narrowly dodged the spoon. In 2023, the looming threat of last place—an agonising failure the joint venture has never slipped so low as to face—may become a reality.

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The Red V has already lost its luster, with two finals appearances since 2011, but there’s always lower to go.

Griffin, who was supposed to step into the Dragons top spot and right the wrongs Steve Price and Paul McGregor had drained into the club, has done little better to steer the once-great club back into the limelight. Even worse, he seems to be leading a regression in Wollongong with the magic of Ben Hunt the only thing dividing St George Illawarra from the rest of the chasing pack.

Get ready for a rough 2023 Dragons fans—it’s going to be white knuckles all the way to the finish line as the wooden spoon appears on the horizon. Just cross your fingers it lands in someone else’s basket by the end.

Last year’s finish: 10th, 12 wins and 12 losses

Last ten NRL campaigns: 10th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 7th (Semi), 9th, 11th, 8th (Qualifying), 11th, 14th

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Predicted Round 1 lineup

Tyrell Sloan
Mikaele Ravalawa
Moses Suli
Zac Lomax
Mat Feagai
Jayden Sullivan
Ben Hunt
Jack de Belin
Jacob Liddle
Blake Lawrie
Tyrell Fuimaono
Jaydn Su’A
Jack Bird
Zane Musgrove
Francis Molo
Josh Kerr
Ben Murdoch-Masila

Coach: Anthony Griffin

Biggest loss: Tariq Sims, Andrew McCullough Biggest gain: Zane Musgrove, Ben Murdoch-Masila

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How 2023 is looking for St George Illawarra

It may be one of the worst entries to a season the St George Illawarra joint venture has ever had. Their young starting five-eighth Junior Amone is unlikely to play, having been stood down by the NRL after being involved in an alleged hammer attack, while 2022’s fullback Cody Ramsey is battling a bowel illness that has already benched him for the year.

On top of that, Anthony Griffin has recruited quite poorly in regards to upgrades, Jayden Sullivan is fighting a losing battle to play in the preseason, and the teams around them in the standings have signed up stronger players for their lists.

If the Dragons can avoid the wooden spoon this year it will be a small miracle.

For all intents and purposes, it feels like the Red V is a holding pattern until Griffin’s contract comes to an end. The club made a huge mistake extending him at the start of last season before a ball had been kicked and now is dodging having to pay him out early by sacking him. If he can steer his aging squad beyond 17th it will be a success.

All hope lies on Ben Hunt’s shoulders. Last year he dragged a struggling Dragons squad to 10th, well clear of the pack from 11th to last, but it may be a bigger ask this time around for even him.

Predicted 2023 finish: 17th

First five: Bye, Titans (H), Broncos (A), Sharks (H), Dolphins (H)

TopSport odds: Premiers $71, Make Top 4: $10, Make Final 8: $4, Miss The Top 8: $1.18

Pass mark: Anything that isn’t the wooden spoon.

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