St George Illawarra Dragons 2009 preview
February 19th 2009 06:56
The Lowdown
Season 2008 for the St George Illawarra Dragons had everything a Dragon's fan could have expected. It had a very lacklustre start to the year, winning just two out of their opening eight matches.
The Dragons start to the year ultimately cost Nathan Brown his job, but news that Wayne Bennett was to be his replacement sparked the Red V into action.
The Dragons then went on a seven match winning streak to put themselves in with a chance of a top four finish.
Brown's men were starting to play like a team who had premiership aspirations written all over it.
Sadly however, the Dragons hit a slump once again, winning one out of their last five games to leave them in the finals in seventh position, where they were walloped by Manly to end 2008 on a sour note.
2009 prospects
Many think the Dragons premiership aspirations lie with a man sitting in the coaches box, rather than playing on the field.
That man however is Wayne Bennett - the greatest NRL coach ever after leading the Broncos to six premierships without a Grand Final defeat next to his name.
Dragons fans know he is the team's biggest drawcard in terms of securing Illawarra's maiden NRL title.
Although Bennett will install discipline, order and structure to the Dragons, it is ultimately up to the players to perform on the day and register a win.
Without key figures Jason Ryles and Mark Gasnier, the Dragons have lost some attacking weaponry for 2009.
New Buys Darius Boyd, Luke Priddis and Jeremy Smith however will install the Dragons with plenty of match winning experience.
Indeed this is the area where the Dragons failed last season. They lost so many games by less than 12 points and it cost them dearly in terms of securing a place in the top eight last season.
This problem was caused by their attack, which was the eleventh best in the NRL last season, which is below par, and hardly threatening to the bigger teams in the competition.
To rub salt into the wound, the Dragons were the worst team in the NRL at scoring tries inside the opposition 10 metre line - a cardinal sin against the likes of Manly and Melbourne.
This problem however was covered up partially by their defence, which was the third best in the NRL. The Dragons only conceded 66 tries to keep them in touch with the eight.
If the Dragons are to be a force in season 2009, they must learn to put teams to the sword when given the chance - something that their new coach will teach very easily.
Prediction
Under Wayne Bennett, one feels the Dragons are more eager than ever for a premiership. Their is a different look down Wollongong way and it has Dragons fans feeling pretty optimistic.
The Dragons brought well during the off season and have a good enough roster to compete on a consistent basis against the good teams. They should make the eight and possibly go beyond week one of the finals.
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