NRL - St. George Illawarra Dragons 2017 Season Review

St George Illawarra Dragons 2017 Review
 
Not much was expected from the Dragons in 2017 having been installed as second favourites to win the Wooden Spoon behind the Newcastle Knights. However, they stunned many by leading the competition after 8 Rounds, before a dramatic collapse saw them miss the finals finishing in 9th spot. 
 
Season Finish - 9th (12 Wins, 12 Losses, 533 Points Scored, 450 Points Conceded) 
 
Season Rating 7/10 - I have to give the Dragons a high rating based on the fact I expected them to come second last and they went within a breath of making the finals. Of course, there will be intense disappointment, and rightly so, at missing the finals, given they led the competition for 8 rounds and only had to beat the Bulldogs in the final round to qualify in 7th place. The side actually finished with the 3rd best points differential in the competition, meaning they suffered a few costly close losses in games they should have won. Overall, however, I thought it was a pretty good effort from the Dragons as they played a physical brand of football, as well as revamping a stagnant attack that had been close to the worst in the NRL over the previous couple of seasons. 
 
Coach Rating 7/10 - I think Paul McGregor got plenty out of his side this year. Credit has to go to him for ripping up the game plan and finding a way for the team to get over the try line more regularly this year. Gone was the slow, robotic set plays, as they played a more aggressive, direct style of football with more offloads and second phase play. The Saints’ fans are harsh taskmasters though, and they will be wondering whether McGregor has the personality to steer a big Club back to the promised land given another late season fade out. 
 
Best Win - St. George Illawarra Dragons 42 Panthers 10 @ Kogarah Oval - This was a good old classic ambush, as the despised underdogs ran roughshod over a shell-shocked Panthers’ side. The Dragons’ attack had looked anaemic in the pre-season, but ran in 7 tries here in a display full of power and energy. 
 
Worst Loss - South Sydney Rabbitohs 26 St George Illawarra Dragons 24 @ SCG - I selected this game as the Dragons ultimately missed the finals by 2 points, and they had a stranglehold on this game. Leading by 8 points with 10 minutes to play, they should never have allowed an opponent, with nothing to play for, to score two relatively simple tries. It was unforgivable really, and Paul McGregor will probably rue this loss for the next few months before he comes out of his coma. 
 
Best Player – Paul Vaughan - For me it was a toss-up between Paul Vaughan and Gareth Widdop, but I went for Vaughan because I thought he changed the dimension of the whole Dragons’ pack. This was a pack that had struggled and been stood over in the past couple years, and Vaughan changed all that with his barnstorming runs and presence in the middle of the field. I thought he was outstanding and desperately unlucky to miss out on an Origin berth. He also picked up 8 tries, which is unheard of for a prop, proving a real weapon close to the goal line.
 
Most Disappointing Player - Josh Dugan – It’s very hard to go past Dugan here, who won’t be missed by the Dragons, in my opinion. His form was good early in the season; however, he lost his way after the Origin break on and off the field. Personally I think his best football is behind him and, whilst he remains a tough and quality player, injuries have taken the edge off him and he can no longer be relied upon to get through the majority of the season. 
 
2018 Prospects - I think there is reason to like this side next season, with the addition of Ben Hunt and the emergence of a fast fullback like Matt Dufty. However, there are reasons to be concerned about the battle scars of a late season slide, as well as losing two experienced players in Josh Dugan and a real pack enforcer in Russell Packer. I think they can make the finals next season; however plenty will depend on how Hunt slots into his new surroundings, under the microscope, considering the big contract he signed.