Best 17 for St George Illawarra Dragons in 2018: The Red V’s biggest question mark
Dragons
Dragons coach Paul McGregor. Picture: Mark EvansSource: News Corp Australia
ST GEORGE Illawarra have brought in two big names to help boost their premiership hopes for 2018 and beyond, but there is still one big question mark lingering over their line-up ahead of the new season.
The halfback headache has been solved with the arrival of Ben Hunt, and the hole left by Russell Packer has been filled by England international James Graham, but it’s what coach Paul McGregor will do with the fullback position that is the team’s biggest selection call.
Pocket rocket Matt Dufty was handed his NRL debut in round 20 last season and played out the year in the position.
Boasting plenty of pace, agility and ball skills, Dufty is considered the frontrunner for the No.1 jersey in 2018 following the departure of Josh Dugan.
Matt Dufty in action. Picture: Brett CostelloSource: News Corp Australia
With a relatively small frame, there could be some concerns over whether the 21-year-old can handle a full season of first grade football.
It’s a question that needs to be answered sooner rather than later, with a settled spine crucial come September and uncertainty over a position as crucial as fullback a potential top four banana skin.
McGregor isn’t short of options for the position should Dufty struggle, with Kurt Mann putting his hand up for the role, along with rising star Zac Lomax.
Speedster Jai Field is also a contender, but needs to bulk up in order to handle the demands of week-to-week NRL.
Another real possibility could be the shifting of Gareth Widdop who starred at fullback for England during the World Cup.
McGregor has already hinted the captain would be staying put in the halves in 2018, but as we all know, the NRL season is a long one.
Over the next month, foxsports.com.au will be previewing your team’s best 17.
As always, there will be some contentious decisions — and some unlucky omissions.
Scroll down and leave a comment to have your say.
NB: These line ups don’t take into account current injuries (unless they’re season ending) or suspensions.
THE LOCK
Paul Vaughan — The big bopper is coming off his best NRL season to date and the Dragons will need him to keep producing the goods. Vaughan averaged 14.2 runs and 137 metres per game in 2017 — both career highs. He also busted an impressive 55 tackles and made 10 linebreaks, proving he was a hard man to pull down. The Italian international will no doubt only continue to thrive alongside experienced recruit James Graham.
Paul Vaughan is tackled. Picture: Brett CostelloSource: News Corp Australia
THE BUBBLE
Nene Macdonald — The PNG international provided plenty of quality dummy half runs in his first season at the Dragons in 2017, but continued to struggle under the high ball. Should inconsistency continue to plague him, the club have a number of talented young backs coming up through the ranks in Patrick Herbert, Reuben Garrick and Lomax.
THE RISING STAR
Luciano Leilua — Fans were surprised the talented young forward didn’t see any first grade football in 2017 after making his debut late the previous season. Instead the 21-year-old plied his trade in the Intrust Super Premiership where he was named Illawarra’s player of the year. Leilua recently re-signed with the Red V until 2020, and the coaching staff are expecting big things from him after impressing at pre-season training.
Luciano Leilua during training at WIN Stadium, Wollongong. Picture: Brett CostelloSource: News Corp Australia
IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR ...
Ben Hunt — One of 2018’s biggest signings, all eyes will be on the Dragons’ marquee No.7. The Red V struggled to find a quality halves partner for Gareth Widdop for many years, but finally secured their man in Hunt who arrives at the club on a $6 million, five-year deal with an option. With that price tag comes plenty of pressure and expectation, and all club stakeholders will be hoping he can take them deep into September.
THE BEST 17
1. Matt Dufty
2. Jason Nightingale
3. Euan Aitken
4. Tim Lafai
5. Nene Macdonald
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Ben Hunt
8. Paul Vaughan
9. Cameron McInnes
10. James Graham
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Tariq Sims
13. Jack De Belin
14. Kurt Mann
15. Leeson Ah Mau
16. Jacob Host
17. Luciano Leilua
OTHERS: Darren Nicholls, Jai Field, Jordan Pereira, Patrick Herbert, Reuben Garrick, Steven Marsters, Tristan Sailor, Zac Lomax, Blake Lawrie, Hame Sele, Jackson Ford, Jeremy Latimore, Josh Kerr, Mitchell Allgood, Reece Robson.
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