St George Illawarra Dragons 2023 NRL Preview & Predictions

<p>Injuries, off-field controversy and a whole lot of experience walking out the door, there are better ways the St George Illawarra Dragons could have started 2023.</p> <p>After yet another underwhelming season that once again saw the Red V miss out on finals footy, their preparations for the new season will surely have their fans afraid that another season outside the top 8 awaits.</p> <p>The good news for the Dragons’ faithfully is they have arguably the softest draw of any team to start the new season.</p> <p>No seriously, they play absolutely no one in the opening round, being the first team to receive a bye in the newly expanded 17-team competition. If they lose that, then they have real problems.</p> <p>After that they do battle against the Titans, Broncos, Sharks and the Dolphins, but can they capitalise on this favourable start?</p> <p>There have been mass changes at the Red V, especially in terms of their spine, meaning the St George Illawarra Dragons’ predicted team for their round two opener will be a tad unrecognisable.</p> <p>Can this new look Dragons outfit make the most of their promising draw? Or does another disappointing campaign lie ahead? Read our St George Illawarra Dragons preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Jacob Liddle (Wests Tigers)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Ben Murdoch-Masila (New Zealand Warriors)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Zane Musgrove (Wests Tigers)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Despite the number of departures, there has been minimal recruitment from the Dragons ahead of the new season.</p> <p>Jacob Liddle has joined from the Wests Tigers to take up hooking duties from the recently retired Andrew McCullough, while Ben Murdoch-Masila and Zane Musgrove have been brought in to bolster their forward pack.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Daniel Alvaro (Toulouse Olympique), </em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>George Burgess (retired), </em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Poasa Faamausili (The Dolphins), </em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jackson Ford (New Zealand Warriors), </em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jack Gosiewski (North Queensland Cowboys), </em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Andrew McCullough (retired), </em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Josh McGuire (Warrington Wolves), </em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Tariq Sims (Melbourne Storm)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Where do we start? Front rower George Burgess and dummy half Andrew McCullough have hung up the boots for good, while experienced forwards Daniel Alvaro and Josh McGuire are off to see everything Europe has to offer.</p> <p>Fringe forwards Poasa Faamausili, Jackson Ford and Jack Gosiewski have decided to try their luck at other NRL clubs, while former Origin wrecking ball Tariq Sims has joined the Storm after falling out with head coach Anthony Griffin.</p> <p>On top of these departures, exciting young fullback Cody Ramsey is set to miss the entirety of the 2023 season after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis – an inflammatory bowel disease.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Ben Hunt</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>One of the rare bright spots for the Dragons ahead of the new season is their No.7 Ben Hunt.</p> <p>Now 32 years of age and captain of the club, Hunt will have his work cut out for him carrying the youthful team around him.</p> <p>Once one of the most maligned players in the league, Hunt completed a stunning redemption arc with his State of Origin heroics for Queensland last year.</p> <p>He’s no slouch at club level either and while the Dragons have struggled in recent years, Hunt has done everything in his power to stop the rot, bouncing between halfback and hooker when called upon.</p> <p>If the Dragons are to have any success in 2023 Ben Hunt will be one of the main reasons why.</p>

<h3>St George Illawarra Dragons Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish: <strong>16th</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Along with the bulk departures, St George have also been hit hard by injuries and suspensions.</p> <p>Promising youngster and five eighth Talatau Amone has been stood down indefinitely by the NRL and his two potential replacements in Jayden Sullivan and Jack Bird are both racing the clock to be fit in time for the start of the season.</p> <p>With Cody Ramsey sidelined for the season, once highly touted youngster Tyrell Sloan gets the chance to make the fullback jersey his own.</p> <p>With new signing Jacob Liddle the only recognised dummy half in the squad and the lack of depth in other areas you can expect utility Moses Mbye to cover a multitude of positions as Anthony Griffin searches for that winning combination.</p> <p>With a distinct lack of cover, experience and star power, coupled with their injury problems and off-field controversy, it is highly unlikely the Dragons favourable draw will be able to save them from a long and disappointing season.</p> <p>Don’t be surprised to see head coach Griffin collecting his severance package at some point either.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>St George Illawarra Dragons Predicted Team For Round 1</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>Tyrell Sloan</li> <li>Mat Feagai</li> <li>Moses Suli</li> <li>Zac Lomax</li> <li>Mikaele Ravalawa</li> <li>Jayden Sullivan</li> <li>Ben Hunt&nbsp;</li> <li>Zane Musgrove</li> <li>Jacob Liddle</li> <li>Blake Lawrie</li> <li>Jack Bird</li> <li>Jaydn Su’A</li> <li>Jack de Belin</li> <li>Moses Mbye</li> <li>Tyrell Fuimaono</li> <li>Ben Murdoch-Masila</li> <li>Aaron Woods</li> </ol>