It was obvious to all who watched them last year, that the Dragons simply didn’t have enough points in them to consistently worry teams on a week-to-week basis.
When they got it right, such as their win over the high-flying Sharks, they were exciting to watch and tough to beat, but unfortunately for the Red V, it didn’t happen nearly often enough.
The fact that the Dragons lost one of their halves, and have seen their replacement half go down with a season-ending injury, doesn’t provide much promise that their attacking woes won’t continue to haunt them in 2017.
Cameron McInness has been brought in to spark the Dragons attack, and Paul Vaughan’s ability to create second phase play should provide a different route to the try line.
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Weakness: Lack of try-scoring strike power
Despite a few clever signings, the Dragons still look as though they haven’t provided any obvious solutions to their attacking woes.
Jason Nightingale aside, and even he struggled to find the line in 2016, there aren’t any proven try scorers in the Dragons outside backs.
Mann, Fai Fai Loa, McDonald, Aitken and co are all solid players, but lack the lightning speed or elusiveness to tear sides apart.
Aitken is a special talent and looks the most likely to break out. I have a good feeling he will top the try-scoring charts this season for the Red V, however, I just can’t see anyone else topping 12 tries.
Strength: Forward power
Paul Vaughan is one of the best signings of 2017. He is an absolute monster of a man and has some of the best footwork and ball playing ability among the big men across the competition.
Tyson Frizell is one of the best forwards in the game full stop. He was the best in NSW colours across the 2016 series and has a monster season ahead of him.
Jack de Belin, Joel Thompson and Tariq Sims are all players with big work rates and plenty of aggression.
Young Luciano Leilua is a potential break up stars of 2017. Those who are yet to see him play are in for a treat. This is one massive kid with unlimited potential.
Star Player: Josh Dugan
Whether at centre or fullback, Josh Dugan is the main man for the Red V and must be allowed to play as such.
Last season he was hampered by being moved around the backline and not allowed to settle. He is the Dragon’s best number one by a long way, yet starred for the Kangaroos at centre.
Wherever Dugan wants to play he should be allowed to play. He should be given free reign if needed to inject himself into attack whenever he senses an opportunity.
Dugan is a world class fullback, amongst the elite in the game. He will start sets with great momentum and can finish off many attacking moves with either a smart finish or a clever try assist. The Dragons need him fit and firing.
Pressure On: Gareth Widdop
Ben Hunt’s signing provides the Dragons with a first choice halfback for the duration of his contract and places pressure of the Dragons current halves.
Gareth Widdop is a star but has struggled over the past 12 months for the Dragons. He was certainly not alone, but more should be expected from the supremely talented English half.
If he plays to his potential, his future halves partnership with Hunt is mouth-watering, but a bad season may see him moved on and the future entrusted to a young, less expensive option.
Big things are expected of Drew Hutchinson, who was almost certain to partner Widdop this season prior to his injury.
Shaun Nona and Kurt Mann can play in the halves, while Josh McCrone was seen as the favoured option at times in the pre-season. Young Jai Field set the nines alight and could be something special if he can produce the same highlights in first grade.
Prediction: 15th
There is plenty of talent on this Dragons roster. Dugan, Widdop, Vaughan, Frizell, and de Belin are all players who can break games open.
Unfortunately there just doesn’t seem to be enough point scoring potential across the park for the Dragons to make an indent this season.
Paul McGregor is under huge pressure and is long odds to see out the season. Dragons fans have called for changes at the top, and I don’t see those fans going away anytime soon.
It wouldn’t surprise me that if young Field or Nona can catch fire, that the Dragons could fly up the ladder, and quickly, but on paper, the points just aren’t there.