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

Coach: Shane Flanagan

The Dragons have come out early favourites to pick up the wooden spoon in 2026, and based on last season's efforts, it looks like it will be another tough year for the Red V and their loyal fanbase. St George Illawarra were a bitter disappointment in 2025, winning just eight games and only finishing ahead of wooden spoon combatants the Knights and Titans on the ladder. There are plenty of teams who could feasibly finish in 17th spot this year, but there have to be serious question marks over St George Illawarra's potential. After a weird season that saw them defeat the Broncos and Storm - the eventual grand finalists - as well as minor premiers Canberra, things fell apart late for the Dragons as injuries continued to mount and they ended up finishing in the bottom four.

It was a major regression under Shane Flanagan, winning only eight games to finish 15th and extend their finals drought. Defensive issues and narrow losses (10 by 10 points or less) plagued the campaign, despite co-captains Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook playing well. Gutherson shone brightest, claiming the Dragons Medal as Player of the Year and Members’ Player for playing every minute with elite metres and assists, while Jacob Liddle, Tyrell Sloan, Jaydn Su’A, and rookie Hamish Stewart offered positives - but fan frustration leaves a big rebuild ahead for 2026.

Having lured in stars such as Keaon Koloamatangi, Clint Gutherson, and Valentine Holmes, as well as debuting young stars in Hamish Stewart, Toby Couchman, and Dylan Egan, Flanagan is building a respectable rugby league side that the Red V faithful can be proud of. The Dragons haven't made the finals since 2018, and Flanagan admitted he is committed to building long-term success for the club, while also boasting one of the younger sides in the NRL.

The 2016 premiership-winning coach knows what a finals side looks like, and while he highlighted a few similarities between the Cronulla Sharks side that one it all and his current one, he acknowledged this Dragons squad is far less experienced. He reiterated his primary focus on the development of his young players for 2026, asserting that their growth is foundational to the Dragons' pursuit of finals success. There are plenty of green shoots at the club with a tremendous crop of young gun forwards coming into the top grade, but it won't be enough and it could be an ugly season for Shane Flanagajn with the light at the end of the tunnel getting further away.

PREDICTED SEASON FINISH - 17TH