This year has not been the season for the St George Illawarra Dragons, recording their first-ever wooden spoon in the club's history since their merge with Illawarra.
It was a very difficult start to the season when the Dragons were handed close losses, questionable refereeing decisions and had supporters ultimately waiting for a single win.
The horrific season just kept getting worse for the Saints as their former head coach Shane Flanagan was sacked, and head of football Ben Haran went with him.
It was only when current head coach Dean Young spent a couple of weeks as interim coach that the Dragons etched in their first win for the 2026 season against the Brisbane Broncos in round 13.
The Dragons finished the 2026 season with just five wins, with the fifth being in the final round against the Parramatta Eels at their beloved WIN Stadium. A 42-metre field goal from departing Tyrell Sloan provided his fairytale ending at the 'Gong.'
What gave the Dragons faithful something to look forward to was the plethora of signings announced throughout the season. With departing players and salary cap space opening up, a roster rebuild was imminent. Here is how the St George Illawarra Dragons can make the eight next year.
1. Scott Drinkwater (fullback)
At 29 years of age, Scott Drinkwater does not seem to be stopping his attacking threat anytime soon. It was evident this season that the Dragons simply did not have enough attacking flair; Clint Gutherson could not provide what he needed to do, and he has shown us that he cannot keep up with the modern game.
The signing of Drinkwater is promising for Dragons supporters as he is considered one of the competition's most creative fullbacks. Drinkwater is clearly capable in attack; however, his defence was an issue that became increasingly evident as the 2026 season went on.
Unfortunately, his defence is a part of his game that needs work. There were many instances this year where he became the last line of defence at fullback and struggled to save tries. That said, Drinkwater definitely remains a top player in the NRL that the Dragons will capitalise on, and regardless, Gutherson will have to move aside for the recruit.
2. Keaon Koloamatangi (front-row)
Keaon Koloamatangi is arguably the Dragons' best signing for 2027. An impact forward who has dominated for the South Sydney Rabbitohs for years, Koloamatangi is a major pick-up. With an average of 169.3 metres per game and a tackle efficiency of 93.1%, the prop will provide the core of a veteran presence to the young forward pack at the Dragons.
With that said, it will be a struggle to fit Koloamatangi in the forward pack, with both the Couchman twins and Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga showing this year that they can compete with the top forwards of the competition. These young forwards, along with Gerringong juniors Hamish Stewart and Dylan Egan, have excelled this year in what was a lacklustre season for the club.
Despite the questions surrounding who might be dropped for Koloamatangi, he is a versatile player and Australian representative whom anyone would want in their forward pack.
3. Luke Metcalf (five-eighth/halfback)
An injury-free Luke Metcalf is one of the most electric and exciting players you could watch in the modern NRL era. Before his ACL tear, his 2025 campaign at the New Zealand Warriors was something to behold. Not to mention his return game this year in the Warriors' famous win over the Penrith Panthers. Metcalf ran in two crucial tries, could not do any wrong with his kicking game and guided the 'Wahs' to victory.
The Dragons' woes in recent years have been misguided halves combinations, players who cannot take the game by the scruff of the neck and guide the team around the park. Kyle Flanagan is not one of those players who can lead the team's attacking operations. Especially with the younger halves the Dragons possess, a leader like Luke Metcalf is vital.
It seemed that in almost every game the Dragons played this year, they did not know what to do in their opposition's third. The kicking game was poor, and attacking opportunities would often go begging with individual decisions. A player like Metcalf can split defenders, and with Scott Drinkwater backing up, it is a gracious vision for Dragons supporters.
4. Kodi Nikorima (five-Eighth/halfback)
With the signing of NRL veteran Kodi Nikorima, the Dragons' halves conundrum has ultimately looked to have been solved. An experienced half who is playing finals this year and an explosive and unpredictable Luke Metcalf will see the Dragons forget about Kyle Flanagan and his issues.
The only issue with Nikorima is his age of 32. Despite this, Nikorima has shown that he is still more than capable of leading a team to finals football. He has played a significant role at the Dolphins but sees the Dragons as a club he could retire at, not before taking them to a position that is satisfactory.
An attacking master who is just as skilful in defence, this pick-up for the Dragons just makes supporters wish for 2027 to come sooner. Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa combined for 34 try assists in the 2026 regular season, with 16 of those coming from Nikorima.
It is fair to say that there will be a huge disparity between the halves this year and next year for the Saints.
5. Phillip Sami (winger)
In terms of solid, consistent wingers, Phil Sami should be in the equation. The Gold Coast Titans winger led the competition in post-contact metres this year, outperforming front-rowers and edge back-rowers. Sami is a finisher as well, with a tough frame and decent strength that helps him get over the line.
Sami is one of those outside backs that makes you question how different his career could have been at a different club. He spent ten seasons at the Titans and flew under the radar for a lot of them. A determined and hard-running winger can be hard to come by, not to mention an extremely loyal one too.
This pick-up will prove quite beneficial for the Red V, with the departure of wingers Tyrell Sloan and Mat Feagai, Sami will slot right in on the wing, or could possibly be shifted to the centres if they fail to sign a centre. Dragons rookie Setu Tu is also one of the best options on the wing for the Dragons, so it is not set in stone that Sami will find himself on the sting.
6. Connor Watson (hooker/utility)
Connor Watson will be making a year-long pit stop at the Dragons before heading to the Papua New Guinea Chiefs in 2028. This is handy for the Red V; Watson will bring experience and can be the type of player you'd want at your club.
Used as a utility player at the Sydney Roosters, Watson has struggled to claim a starting position there. Depending on whether Jacob Liddle is fit next year, Watson might find himself as the starting hooker for the Saints.
Watson will help the Dragons make the eight next year regardless of how many minutes he is played. His job is simple: play consistently for the year and use his representative experience to glue the team together, before heading over to Papua New Guinea the following year.
It is fair to say that if the Dragons do not make the eight next year, it will be a huge let-down for supporters. The amount of big signings needs to be backed up with performances all year round.
With the backbone already present in the Dragons forward pack, the backs will need to fit in and form a connection in pre-season.
Exciting things lie ahead for the Dragons.
