Simply put, it was the kind of season the Dragons would have appreciated reaching the top of.
The Red V completed second final and solely two factors forward of the picket spoon-winning Tigers.
Their season begun in uneven waters with all the uncertainty round coach Anthony Griffin, and it affected the membership’s on-field efficiency.
That put the nail within the coffin of Griffin’s tenure on the Dragons, as he turned the primary NRL coach fired in 2023.
However, there ought to be some cause for St.George-Illawarra followers to be optimistic, with a premiership-winning coach eager to make a right away impression and their star participant set to stay on the membership for at the very least one other season regardless of trying nearly as good as gone simply a few months in the past.
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Storm go away Dragons surprised within the Gong | 01:25
Read on for the Dragons’ 2023 season evaluation.
2023 RECORD: 5 wins, 19 losses
GRADE: D-
What went proper: Found their coach.
The Dragons introduced the signing of premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan in mid-June, and he hasn’t mucked round in shaping and moulding the roster he desires within the coming years, though he doesn’t formally begin till the top of the season.
He’s proven his intent in chasing prized free brokers, hasn’t been afraid to let underperforming gamers stroll, and it appears for now, he’ll have the ability to hold wantaway star Ben Hunt for at the very least one other season.
Flanagan was head coach of the Sharks for eight seasons between 2010 and 2018, delivering Cronulla its first title in 2016 and therefore making him the primary premiership-winning coach within the membership’s historical past.
The question is that Flanagan hasn’t held a head teaching position since 2018 after being deregistered for failing to stick to the situations of a 2014 suspension, nonetheless, there’s no doubting his skill and it ought to be a rent that excites Dragons followers contemplating they’ve had little or no to have fun in latest seasons.
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“There is a fantastic opportunity at the Dragons to build something really special over the next few years,” Flanagan mentioned after the announcement of his hiring.
“I can’t wait to get started back at the Dragons at the end of the 2023 season and work on returning to the club to the finals where it belongs.”
It’s most likely of little comfort to some Dragons followers, however their crew was way more aggressive than their finish report suggests.
There was a five-game stretch in April and May the place the Red V misplaced by only a mixed 13 factors, after which extra lately, they’ve pushed good sides just like the Storm and Warriors.
These outcomes point out there’s a glimmer of hope for the Dragons, and if they’ll add an enormous fish or two, they won’t be too distant in a few years’ time.
One participant who ought to be primed for an enormous 2024 season is type Zac Lomax, who was arguably one of many type outdoors backs of the competitors during the last couple of months.
Lomax was sensationally dropped from the first-grade facet by Anthony Griffin earlier within the season, however bounced again to place collectively a powerful finale.
Speaking to Fox League, Flanagan earmarked a place change for Lomax subsequent season and shot down rumours the 23-year-old was on his manner out.
“He’s pledged his allegiance to the club, he’s going nowhere,” Flanagan mentioned.
“Zac has got more in him and he went to fullback last game and he did a reasonable job.
“He could possibly play fullback permanently. He’s got some application stuff to learn, it’s a big job fullback these days but I’m certainly not saying he can’t do it
“He’s 23 – he’s got heaps of time. He’s so strong and athletic and he’s got a good skill set, we just need to put it all together.”
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What went unsuitable: Former coach Anthony Griffin was on borrowed time earlier than a ball was kicked this season.
It was reported that Griffin must reapply for his job after the 2023 season when his contract was resulting from expire.
Griffin’s destiny was sealed after a poor begin to the season and he was sacked in May, with the membership closely criticised for the way in which it was dealt with.
“At the same time as Griffin was being told the board had made the hard line decision to end his tenure, Dragons players were arriving at training for an 8:30am scheduled media session,” Fox League’s James Hooper reported.
“Whoever’s got control of the Red V steering wheel and thought it was a good way of handling the day has clearly got no idea.
“Behind the scenes, Dragons captain Ben Hunt was privately rightfully asking what the hell was going on.
“There’s no way these types of scenes would unfold at the strong clubs.”
Dragons try ‘quickest strive in NRL’ | 00:38
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While it was most likely the fitting choice for the way forward for the membership, Griffin and the gamers deserved higher from the Dragons.
Hunt, who has lengthy been a supporter of Griffin, was understandably livid and some weeks later, the star playmaker requested a launch from the membership two years earlier than the top of his contract.
A commerce to a rival was a transfer the Dragons weren’t prepared to make, which made for a clumsy couple of weeks when Hunt, eager to depart the membership, lined up for the Red V.
What adopted was a number of beneath common performances from Hunt and the Dragons, with the drama surrounding the halfback clearly affecting the remainder of the enjoying group.
“Not good enough really… where do we go from here? It seems like we’re getting worse,” Hunt mentioned on ABC radio after the Dragons’ second heavy defeat in a row in opposition to the Sharks.
“We can’t keep going down this path.”
At the time, Matty Johns agreed with Hunt, believing there could be no level preserving a participant who didn’t wish to be on the membership.
“The formula ain’t working and it ain’t working now. I think it’s a wasted opportunity to keep him there. You can get leverage, you can get compensation, you can lever for a trade in your favour,” Johns mentioned on The Late Show with Matty Johns.
“I just think at the moment it’s time to start to look for another formula because this is not working.”
The Dragons managed to string collectively a number of good performances inside the 9 video games which have adopted Hunt’s launch request however have solely gained the one sport since and that was in opposition to the lowly Tigers.
Hunt has confirmed that he will likely be on the Dragons subsequent 12 months, nevertheless it stays to be seen if a poor begin in 2024 will change the playmaker’s thoughts.
“I’ll be here,” Hunt mentioned after the Dragons’ final sport of the season.
“I’ve had a couple of chats with Flanno and they’ve been positive conversations.
“We’ll get into the pre-season and work things out.”
What they want: Forwards and a constant five-eighth.
Flanagan has made no secret in trying to bolster his line up for subsequent season and he may do worse than attempting to enhance his pack.
He reportedly had curiosity in including each Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita earlier than they re-signed with the Titans.
Blake Lawrie is a strong prop who ought to be a mainstay within the beginning ahead pack, with the Couchman brothers (Toby and Ryan) rising as constant first graders.
Hame Sele is a really helpful addition and can enhance that facet. He, Lawrie, and the 2 Couchmans are the one forwards contracted with St George past 2024, so there’s undoubtedly going to be extra strikes made.
Hunt is locked in at quantity 7 however he wants some assist in the halves with Jayden Sullivan heading to the Tigers.
Junior Amone is just younger however has been inconsistent. He may turn into the great five-eighth, nevertheless it wouldn’t damage for the membership to search for some additional depth on the place.
A have a look at Jarome Luai for 2025 and past ought to be an choice for Flanagan with the signing of the Panthers star might sway Hunt into fulfilling his complete contract with the membership.
COMING: Hame Sele (Souths)
GOING: Jayden Sullivan (Tigers)
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
