St George Illawarra Dragons 2023

[greeneyed]

Team Talk: Dragons 2023 overview, best 17, squad update

After missing a place in the finals since 2018, the Dragons need to start well and they are guaranteed two points from the opening round after being the first club to receive the bye in the expanded 17-team competition. However, it is what happens in the four weeks after that which is likely to determine the direction their season takes, with matches against the Titans (home), Broncos (away), Sharks (home) and Dolphins (home).

Predicted Round 1 team

1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mat Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Jayden Sullivan
7. Ben Hunt
8. Zane Musgrove
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Blake Lawrie
11. Jack Bird
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack de Belin

14. Moses Mbye
15. Tyrell Fuimaono
16. Josh Kerr
17. Aaron Woods

Others: Talatau Amone, Billy Burns, Max Feagai, Jaiyden Hunt, Nick Lui Toso, Tautau Moga, Francis Molo, Michael Molo, Cody Ramsey

Read more: https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/12/29/tea ... ad-update/

[greeneyed]

That’s an easy draw to start the season. Probably close to a bottom four team.

[julian87]

They’re the worst team in the competition IMO. Hunt, Su’a and gun attacking centers is about all that reads as to me.

[-PJ-]

Spoon contenders.

Dolphins will win more games.

[the bone]

Taking Tigers cast-offs (Liddle, Musgrove, Mbye, Woods) is never a good idea.

[FuiFui BradBrad]

Taking Tigers cast-offs (Liddle, Musgrove, Mbye, Woods) is never a good idea.

Unless you’re a journo on 360. To them, it’s a lesson in brilliant Moneyball recruitment

[greeneyed]

Dragons lock up former Warriors prop on multi-year deal

The Dragons have bolstered their forward pack with confirmation former Warriors prop Ben Murdoch-Masila has signed a multi-year deal with the club.

“The Dragons are pleased to welcome Tongan international Ben Murdoch-Masila to the club for the 2023 and 2024 seasons,” the Dragons said in a statement.

Read more: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... 20b78a3995

Dragons club statement

The Dragons are pleased to welcome Tongan international Ben Murdoch-Masila to the club for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

The 14-Test veteran joins the Red V from the Warriors, where he played 27 games in two seasons after returning from a five-year stint in the Super League at Salford and Warrington.

“Ben is a quality player with great experience and he certainly provides what we have been looking to build within our forward pack,” said Dragons General Manager of Football Ben Haran.

“We are excited to see him join the playing group next week and look forward to the impact he will have at the club.”

[-PJ-]

Yeah that outta get em a few wins.

[Finchy]

Hook won’t make it past round 10

[greeneyed]

NRL 2023 team previews: St George Illawarra Dragons free agency wrap, crystal ball

Are St George Illawarra a club in free-fall, or blessed with a huge junior nursery that is perfectly placed to rebound from a dismal 2022 campaign? The Dragons missed the finals again last year and are considered outsiders to reverse that trend in 2023, but there are reasons for optimism among one of the NRL’s most passionate fanbases.

BEST 17

1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mat Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Cody Ramsey
6. Talatau Amone
7. Ben Hunt
8. Blake Lawrie
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Francis Molo
11. Jack Bird
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack de Belin

14. Jayden Sullivan
15. Aaron Woods
16. Zane Musgrove
17. Tyrell Fuimaono

Ins: Jacob Liddle (Tigers), Zane Musgrove (Tigers), Nick Lui-Toso (Northern Pride/QRL), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Warriors)

Outs: Jackson Ford (Warriors), Jack Gosiewski (Cowboys), Andrew McCullough (retired), Daniel Alvaro (Toulouse Olympique), Poasa Faamausili (Dolphins), Josh McGuire (Warrington), George Burgess (released) Tariq Sims (Storm)

Read more: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... 5524abcac5

[Finchy]

Other than Ben Hunt, that’s a pretty trash team. Not sure I’d want any of them at Canberra over our current crop.

[greeneyed]

[BJ]

Other than Ben Hunt, that’s a pretty trash team. Not sure I’d want any of them at Canberra over our current crop.

Agree. Hunt, Zac Lomax and Jack Bird are the only players I would consider.

Maybe Sua and De Bellin for a bench spot. But I wouldn’t personally take De Bellin.

[President Clinton]

Not a good squad.

From what I’ve seen of Ramsey, there is nothing to suggest he’s a viable modern day fullback.

[gerg]

Not a good squad.

From what I’ve seen of Ramsey, there is nothing to suggest he’s a viable modern day fullback.

Sloan on the other hand looks pretty good, and will or should be their first choice fullback.

[Shiv]

I think the only reason they didn't end up lower on the table last year was due to Ben Hunt. He easily carried them in a couple of games. If Ben is injured or not playing at super star levels they're stuffed

[greeneyed]

Talatau Junior Amone Stood down by NRL

The National Rugby League (NRL) is aware that New South Wales Police have charged Talatau Junior Amone with reckless grievous bodily harm in company, destroy or damage property and stalking or intimidation with intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm, following an alleged incident in 2022.

The NRL has advised the St George Illawarra Dragons that Talatau Junior Amone is subject to the Mandatory No-Fault Stand Down Condition under the NRL Rules.

Under the condition, the player is not permitted to participate as a player in the NRL competition or any related, representative or other competition or pre-season trial match.

NRL media release

Dragons young gun Amone stood down by NRL following alleged hammer attack: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... 6e84e512f2

Dragons’ spine crisis as Sullivan suffers another injury setback: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... c4eb32c4d5

[RTW]

$10 is a great price for the Dragons winning the spoon.


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[greeneyed]

St George Illawarra Dragons star Cody Ramsey to miss entire 2023 season as he recovers from surgery

Dragons fullback Cody Ramsey will miss the entire 2023 season as he recovers from surgery for ulcerative colitis. Ramsey, 22, who the Dragons hoped would play in the No.1 jumper, is contracted for two more years and hopes to return in 2024.

Read more: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... cd6decec2f

St George Illawarra Dragons club statement

The Dragons wish to provide the following update on fullback Cody Ramsey.

"Cody was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel condition, in late 2022 which required an extended stay in hospital," said Dragons General Manager of Football Ben Haran.

"Unfortunately this ultimately required significant bowel surgery. This surgery was successful, however it will require multiple follow-up procedures over the coming season.

"This means that Cody won't be available to play NRL in the 2023 season.

"Our focus will be on Cody's medical rehabilitation and wellbeing in the first phase.

"From there we'll work towards what future looks like for him.

"He's been in and around training with the players and coaches recently and is having a hugely positive impact on all of us at the club.

"Cody is a great character who is one of the most passionate, popular and respected members of our club and will have a significant impact on the success of the team over the coming season."

[BJ]

He’s an improving player Ramsay. Hope he comes back strong (just not against the Raiders)

[greeneyed]

[gerg]

Have they been named in the starting side as punishment?

[julian87]

Paul Turner signed for 2 seasons. That’s a fantastic signing. Should slot straight into the 6. Possibly even get some miles into the legs and try him at fullback.

Either way it’s actually a pretty big upgrade on Jr Amone.

And he’s the exact type of player we are missing in our squad.

[BJ]

Paul Turner signed for 2 seasons. That’s a fantastic signing. Should slot straight into the 6. Possibly even get some miles into the legs and try him at fullback.

Either way it’s actually a pretty big upgrade on Jr Amone.

And he’s the exact type of player we are missing in our squad.

Not even Paul Turner’s manager rates him that highly.

[gerg]

For some reason I thought he was at the Titans. I think I asked you (Julian) about him in the Titans thread.

[-TW-]

Paul Turner signed for 2 seasons. That’s a fantastic signing. Should slot straight into the 6. Possibly even get some miles into the legs and try him at fullback.

Either way it’s actually a pretty big upgrade on Jr Amone.

And he’s the exact type of player we are missing in our squad.

Not even Paul Turner’s manager rates him that highly.

You mean he isn't Paul Turner's manager?

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[julian87]

Going all in on a random fringe first grade half talent is enjoyable.

Turner has entered my Josh Lewis realm.

[greeneyed]

Dragons part ways with Anthony Griffin

The Dragons Board has elected to end the tenure of head coach Anthony Griffin, effective immediately.

Dragons CEO Ryan Webb thanked Griffin for his contribution to the club over the past two-and-a-half seasons.

"These decisions are never taken lightly and on behalf of the club I want to thank Anthony for all his hard work during his time at the Dragons," Webb said.

"Unfortunately our performances over the first 10 games of this season have not met the club’s expectations so it was decided he should finish up his duties this week."

Dragons assistant coach Ryan Carr will assume interim coaching duties of the NRL side from this week while the club board and management will continue assessing head coaching candidates for the 2024 season.

St George Illawarra Dragons club statement

Anthony Griffin sacked as Dragons finally swing axe on embattled coach: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... e757f91558

https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/05/16/dra ... h-griffin/

[greeneyed]

You've got to laugh...

"In a bizarre decision the Dragons had also organised for eight Red V players to front the media at 8.30am at the club’s Wollongong headquarters. So while Red V chairman Lancaster informed Griffin of the decision at 8am - the players were then forced to front up and face questions they had no answers for. St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt was understandably fuming at the way the club has handled the situation."

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... e757f91558

[Canberra Milk]

Fans love blaming Griffin but I think St George are just crap and have been in a decline for some time

Stuck with McGregor far far too long and are still recovering from that. I expect they're not run very well

[-PJ-]

Get on em this weekend, they’re specials.

[-PJ-]

Jason Ryles rejects Dragons coaching job and joins Storm as Bellys assistant.

[Botman]

That's pretty embarrassing for the Dragons on the face of it
But probably gives a good signal about where Bellemy's future lies... hard to imagine Ryles doing that unless there was some assurances that Bellemy is leaving and he'll have the job there in the few years

Sounds to me like 2024 is likely Bellemy's last with the Storm

[-PJ-]

Pretty much confirms Ryles has been promised the Storm job when Belly joins the Raiders..

[-TW-]

Now St George Bank have cracked the **** and pulled their sponsorship after 40 years.

It's going down hill fast

https://www.codesports.com.au/nrl/st-ge ... 39febcdab3

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