Odds: To win title – $41; to make top eight – $3.50

Who will be...

Rookie to watch: Haele Finau. Not sure if he will see NRL action this year, but keep an eye out for the Victorian-raised hooker who is regarded as a long-term prospect at the club. The No.9 has been an area the Dragons desperately want to improve after Andrew McCullough’s dutiful service, and Finau might see top grade action in the second half of the season. Brother Sione has also joined the Red V after progressing through the Storm’s feeder system.

Most improved: Francis Molo. The Dragons look vulnerable through the middle and the former State of Origin forward had a largely underwhelming first season in the Red V. If the Dragons are to have any chance of being anywhere near the top eight, they need the 28-year-old to be back somewhere near his best. He’s capable of doing it, too.

Player most likely to be a Dally M candidate: Ummm, let me think about that? Ben Hunt carried this team last year and almost carried himself to a Dally M if not for Nicho Hynes’ stunning season up the road in the Shire. When the Dragons win games, their No.7 will bank the majority of points. And it’s why St George Illawarra stopped the 32-year-old going to market with a rich two-year extension until the end of 2025. He will need to poll in the top five in the Dally M race again if the Dragons are to be a serious finals chance.

The coach says: “In the three years I’ve been at the club, this is the best shape it’s been in. Because of the club and the brand we have to deal with the criticism, but I know the potential of this club and we are excited for this season.” Anthony Griffin.

Andrew Johns says: It feels like every week there’s just more pressure heaped on the club. Junior Amone has been stood down over criminal charges, and once again it all comes down to Ben Hunt. If they lose him for an extended period it’s a real worry for them.

Adam Pengilly says: The Dragons wish they could wind the clock back five months and start again because the off-season has been rocky. From the on-again, off-again release sagas of Jayden Sullivan and Tyrell Sloan to Cody Ramsey’s career-threatening illness to Junior Amone’s no-fault stand-down order and Jack Bird’s surgery, summer has been somewhat of a shocker for St George Illawarra. Anthony Griffin’s future will be the main talking point for the first couple of months. It’s hard to see them making finals if they couldn’t in 2022 after Ben Hunt’s stellar year. But rugby league is a funny game.

Loading

2023 draw

Round 1: Bye; Round 2: Titans at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium; Round 3: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium; Round 4: Sharks at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium; Round 5: Dolphins at WIN Stadium; Round 6: Titans at Cbus Super Stadium; Round 7: Raiders at GIO Stadium; Round 8: Roosters at Allianz Stadium; Round 9: Bulldogs at WIN Stadium; Round 10: Tigers at Suncorp Stadium; Round 11: Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium; Round 12: Roosters at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium; Round 13: Dolphins at Kayo Stadium; Round 14: Panthers at BlueBet Stadium; Round 15: Roosters at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium; Round 16: Bye; Round 17: Warriors at WIN Stadium; Round 18: Sharks at PointsBet Stadium; Round 19: Raiders at WIN Stadium; Round 20: Bye; Round 21: Tigers at WIN Stadium; Round 22: Sea Eagles at WIN Stadium; Round 23: Eels at CommBank Stadium; Round 24: Rabbitohs at Barlow Park; Round 25: Storm at WIN Stadium; Round 26: Warriors Mt Smart Stadium; Round 27: Knights at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now.