Dragons’ best 17: Make or break for backline stars as pressure mounts
Dragons
Dragons coach Paul McGregor is under the pump heading into 2020. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)Source: AAP
St George Illawarra is under a great deal of pressure heading into 2020 following last year’s dismal display.
Despite their 15th place finish and a number of stars underperforming, the bulk of the squad remains in tact which can viewed either positively or negatively, depending on which way you look at it.
The club’s biggest loss is former captain Gareth Widdop, who is now back in England, but they got a taste at what life will be like without him while he was sidelined with a serious shoulder injury last year.
Other outs include Luciano Leilua, who has joined Wests Tigers, and the now-retired Jeremy Latimore, while Jack de Belin remains stood down pending the result of his sexual assault court case.
New recruits Trent Merrin and Issac Luke appear destined for spots in the first-choice 17, despite many pundits believing they’re past their best.
But while the forward pack picks itself with a number of representative stars, the club’s backline raises the most questions.
A number of players were rotated throughout the back five in 2019, with coach Paul McGregor unable to settle on his most potent combinations, although he has locked in Zac Lomax at fullback for Round 1.
For centres Tim Lafai and Euan Aitken, this year looms as a particularly defining one with the pair off-contract and coming off indifferent seasons.
The wing is also an area of concern, but 199cm flyer Jason Saab emerged as a star of the future last season and stands to benefit this year from the tackling-in-mid-air rule change.
THE STRENGTH
The pack
While they failed to fire for periods of 2019, the Red V’s forwards still pack plenty of punch and McGregor will be hoping they pay the platform for his backs this season.
Paul Vaughan, Tariq Sims and Tyson Frizell are all NSW Origin representatives, while James Graham and Korbin Sims have plenty of international experience.
Hooker Cameron McInnes is also coming off his best ever season.
A number of the club’s young prospects like Blake Lawrie earned valuable NRL time last season which will give them plenty of confidence heading into this season.
PRESSURE IS ON
The whole team
The Dragons are coming off their worst ever season as a joint venture having finished 15th in 2019.
Last year they had the second-worst defence in the competition, so if they’re any chance of moving up the ladder, they must improve that aspect of their game.
Their attack also needs plenty of work and the heat will be on Norman and Hunt to step up with Widdop now gone.
Corey Norman needs to perform in 2020. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)Source: AAP
THE RISING STAR
Eddie Blacker
Standing at 195cm and weighing 116kg, Blacker is a young prop on the rise.
The 20-year-old joined the Dragons in 2019 on a development deal, but is a member of the top 30 squad this season.
Blacker’s had the chance to pick the brains of the club’s experienced forwards over the past 12 months which will put him in good stead if an NRL berth comes knocking in 2020.
With Lomax to get the No.1 jumper, Matt Dufty and Tristan Sailor appear destined for a stint in reserve grade to start the season, although the latter could find himself in the running for a wing spot.
Another contender for the wing is Mikaele Ravalawa who has appeared to drop down the pecking order.
Brayden Wiliame, who has joined the club after impressing for Catalans in Super League, will put pressure on the likes of Euan Aitken and Tim Lafai who struggled to find form in 2019.
Others who will be pushing for likely bench spots include Josh Kerr and Jacob Host who gained valuable NRL experience last season.
IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR …
Zac Lomax
After signing a lucrative long-term extension with the club, Lomax will take over the Dragons’ No.1 jersey in 2020.
While there have been huge raps on the 20-year-old in the junior grades, the start to his NRL career has been a mixed bag of performances which could be put down to a constant changing of positions.
But with McGregor declaring Lomax will get first crack at fullback, a position he played growing up, the stability around his on-field future will only benefit him.
Zac Lomax (R) will get first crack at fullback. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
DRAGONS’ BEST 17
1. Zac Lomax
2. Jordan Pereira
3. Euan Aitken
4. Tim Lafai
5. Jason Saab
6. Corey Norman
7. Ben Hunt
8. James Graham
9. Cameron McInnes
10. Paul Vaughan
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Tariq Sims
13. Trent Merrin
14. Issac Luke
15. Korbin Sims
16. Blake Lawrie
17. Jackson Ford
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