NRL 2021 Dragons season preview: Why Ben Hunt doesn’t make best 17
Despite being a favourite of new Dragons coach Anothy Griffin, three players should keep Ben Hunt out of the club’s best 17 in 2021.
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It’s been a lean few seasons for the Dragons, but the hope is new coach Anthony Griffin can bring back the good times in 2021.
But to do that he needs the likes of new recruits Jack Bird and Poasa Faamausili to settle in quickly and produce their best form.
James Phelps takes a look at the key questions facing the Dragons next season.
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2020 ladder position: 12th
Ins: Jack Bird (Broncos), Poasa Faamausili (Roosters), Daniel Alvaro (Eels)
Outs: Tyson Frizell (Knights), Euan Aitken (Warriors), Jacob Host (Rabbitohs), Korbin Sims (Hull KR), Jason Saab (Sea Eagles)
Players in the 2020 Rich 100: 5 — 2 Ben Hunt ($1.2 million), 14. Corey Norman ($850,000), 61. Tyson Frizell ($650,000), 62. Paul Vaughan ($650,000), 76. Jack de Belin ($595,000)
Coach status
Anthony Griffin has been anointed as the man to return the Dragons to a finals force after Paul McGregor was sacked mid-year.
After the Dragons missed out on former Steeler and Dragon Craig Fitzgibbon, as well as Cameron Ciraldo, the Dragons picked the former Panthers and Broncos coach above Dean Young and Paul Green.
After being sacked by the Panthers in 2018, Griffin will resume his coaching career on a two-year deal, with an option for a third season in the club’s favour.
Griffin took the Panthers to the finals twice during his almost three-year stint at the club and will be expected to do the same with the Dragons.
A bad start to the season will see the coach called “Hook” placed under immediate pressure.
The jury is still very much out on the polarising coach following his messy divorce from the Panthers. Griffin has been criticised in the past for simple game plans and perceived man management issues.
What is their game plan, and how do they need to tweak
With the second worst red-zone attack in the NRL in 2020, Griffin and his new coaching staff will be looking to add point-scoring potency.
Former Broncos assistant Peter Gentle will be charged with the tactical overhaul and his first mission will be to straighten up the Dragons’ attack.
Taking an average of 16 tackles to score a try while in the attacking 20 in 2020, St George Illawarra played laterally rather than direct. They also struggled for ruck speed and made momentum-cruelling errors.
How did they go in free agency
The Dragons have made only one significant addition to their squad with Jack Bird returning to Wollongong following an injury riddled stint with the Broncos. Rather than recruit, the Dragons will be asking their long line of stars to stand up and deliver.
Will development contract upgraded kids make an impact
Cody Ramsey, Jayden Sullivan and the Feagai twins have all been upgraded to full-time deals.
Ramsey, 20, has already become a fan favourite following a stunning two-try debut against the Raiders in round 18.
Max Feagai was expected to replace Euan Aitken in the centres but will have a pre-season fight on his hands following the addition of Bird.
The 19-year-old won’t have to wait long for his shot even if Bird is chosen as a specialist centre rather than a utility.
What players can they reinvent
All of them. The Dragons’ problem has never been a lack of talent but rather a lack of performance.
Ben Hunt and Corey Norman will be at the top of Griffin’s list. The new coach must decide whether Hunt is a hooker, a half or a utility and stick to his decision.
Captain Cameron McInnes, the Dragons’ best and most consistent player last season, was shunted from his preferred hooker role to lock as Saints shifted Hunt in a bid to ignite his season.
Who takes the next step
Zac Lomax is destined for stardom following a breakout 2020.
Finding a full-time home in the centres after being used as both a fullback and a winger, the 21-year-old stormed his way in the NSW’s State of Origin squad after challenging Matt Dufty as the Dragons’ biggest strike weapon.
At 190cm and 94kg, Zomax is the complete package with size, speed, strength and skill.
More important for Red-V supporters is that Lomax is signed for another five seasons, giving the Dragons a backline star with whom they can build their side.
Bird adds another level of uncertainty. His natural position is in the centres. Brisbane had earmarked him for the halves but the Dragons have an abundance of those.
The No.14 utility role from the bench could be best for both the balance of the Dragons, and for Bird as he makes his comeback from a serious knee injury that kept him out of the entire 2020 season.
The best 17 for 2021:
1. Matt Dufty
2. Cody Ramsey
3. Zac Lomax
4. Max Feagai
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Corey Norman
7. Adam Clune
8. Josh Kerr
9. Cameron McInnes
10. Paul Vaughan
11. Tariq Sims
12. Poasa Faamausili
13. Jackson Ford
14. Jack Bird
15. Brayden Wiliame
16. Tyrell Fuimaono
17. Blake Lawrie
2021 squad
Jack Bird, Eddie Blacker, Adam Clune, Jack de Belin (stood down), Matt Dufty, Kaide Ellis, Poasa Faamausili, Jackson Ford, Tyrell Fuimaono, Ben Hunt, Josh Kerr, Blake Lawrie, Zac Lomax, Cameron McInnes, Trent Merrin, Corey Norman, Jordan Pereira, Mikaele Ravalawa, Jason Saab, Tariq Sims, Paul Vaughan, Brayden Wiliame
Fox Sports Lab’s Aaron Wallace says
2020 was the second straight season missing the finals for St George Illawarra. Since Wayne Bennett left at the end of the 2011 season, they have made the finals just twice in nine years.
The trap of completing their sets to the detriment of pointscoring ability seemed to strangle the Dragons’ attack in 2020.
They finished the season with the second-best completion rate (80.5 percent), yet had the second-worst red zone attack in the competition, taking more than 16 tackles on average to score a try from inside the attacking 20m.
New coach Anthony Griffin may need to loosen the reins somewhat.
Finish the last five years
11th, 9th, 7th, 15th, 12th
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