Home Ground: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium [Kogarah] WIN Stadium [Wollongong]

Coach: Shane Flanagan

TAB odds: Premiers: $61

In 2024, the ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA team performance deteriorated significantly during crucial moments, resulting in four losses in their final five games and ultimately costing them a place in the finals.

The team's collapse deeply frustrated Shane Flanagan during his inaugural season, ringing in the recruitment of several veteran players intended to strengthen the squad. DAMIEN COOK, VALENTINE HOLMES and CLINT GUTHERSON will improve the Dragons across the park, but major question marks will surround the club in the halves after the decision to release BEN HUNT from the final year of his contract. 

TYRELL SLOAN looks set to lose the No.1 jersey in 2025 following the arrival of CLINT GUTHERSON, with the young gun likely to have to settle for a place on the wing. VALENTINE HOLMES  will reunite with Shane Flanagan after leaving North Queensland and will start in the centres along with MOSES SULI. Following ZAC LOMAX'S departure, a spot has opened up on the wing with MATHEW FEAGAI  or CHRISTIAN TUIPULOTU  likely to get the nod ahead of MIKAELE RAVALAWA  and the returning COREY ALLAN. 

Former Rabbithohs half LACHLAN ILIAS will take over in the No.7 jersey following BEN HUNT'S exit, with LYHKAN  KING-TOGIA  currently standing as the next playmaker in line after being blooded off the bench during the final few rounds of last season. DAMIEN COOK is set to bump JACOB LIDDLE  to the bench after moving from South Sydney on a long-term deal, but could also spend some time at lock during the game. 

EMRE GULER has been brought in after being released by Canberra and could replace him up front. JACK De BELIN will also start at prop with support likely to be supplied by BLAKE LAWRIE, HAME SELE. LUCIANO LEILUA and JAYDN SU'A could earn starting roles on the edges while RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER will also be included in the 17, with RYAN and TOBY COUCHMAN will be pushing for spots on the bench. We could possibly see some improvements after the capitulation of last season, although the fowards may be missing that X-factor so prevalent in the top sides. Pretty handy backline will see them score points and upset a few we imagine, but don't count on them being there at the pointy end of the season.

First five: Bulldogs (H), Rabbitohs (H), BYE, Storm (H), Eels (A)

Last year's finish: 11th

Predicted 2025 finish: 10th

PREDICTED STARTING SIDE

1. CLINT GUTHERSON

2. TYRELL SLOAN

3. VALENTINE HOLMES

4. MOSES SULI

5. CHRISTIAN TUIPOLOTU

6. KYLE FLANAGAN

7. LACHLAN ILIAS

8. EMRE GULER

9. DAMIEN COOK

10. JACK de BELIN

11. LUCIANO LEILUA

12. JAYDN SU'A

13. TOM EISENHUTH

14. JACOB LIDDLE

15. BLAKE LAWRIE

16. RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER

17. Ryan COUCHMAN 

PRE SEASON: Sun 16 Feb

Dragons v Roosters at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium 7:30pm

Sat 22 Feb

Dragons v Rabbitohs at Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee 3:00pm