As much as I want the Dragons to be a top - 4 side , I really can't see them getting ahead of the usual candidates . Cowboys , Roosters , Storm and Brisbane and one or two other teams that could make up the 4 .
As others have said we will have a good chance of forcing our way into the final 8 , but that's in a perfect world . Unfortunately we must take into account the 5 x 5 day turn around matches we have , the traveling involved , the refs calls that don't go our way ( which did cost us a couple of wins in 2017 ) and any number of incidentals .
Of course our biggest problem will be whether or not the coach can actually get his act together this season ? Then we must also take into account that Ben Hunt and Gareth Widdop will need time to form a slick working combination .
I am not attempting to be negative , but merely pointing out some of the difficulties that St.George Illawarra will most certainly face this year . On the plus side I believe that our recruitment of players in key positions will make life easier for the Dragons this year . In particular Hunt with his ' taking the line on ' will add another dimension to the attack and also with Grahams ' take no prisoners ' approach , will get the forward pack moving in the right direction .
Biggest problems, the backs being able to become more adept in both attack and defence. The players in general need to be aware that by trailing Hunt around the park , there may be try scoring opportunities available . ( hopefully this will be pointed out to them before the first game ) .
The bench rotation being used as it should and finally Mary having the confidence to use the outstanding younger players that are there , just waiting for their chance to shine .
Should the correct formula be found then we will be there come semi final time and once there anything can happen. Finally giving all of us long suffering fans will really have something to cheer about .
