Catalans Dragons 2025 season preview
2024 recap
2024 was a hugely disappointing year for the Dragons, who missed out on the play-offs for the first time since 2019. A run of one win in six games between April and June was a major factor in them not making it, and a second bad run through August proved fatal.
2024 position: 7th
Key signings
Tommy Makinson (St Helens), Nick Cotric (Canberra Raiders), Ollie Partington (Salford Red Devils), Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders), Luke Keary (Sydney Roosters), Tevita Pangai Junior (Dolphins)
Key departures
Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity), Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity), Jordan Abdull (End of loan), Tom Davies (Hull KR), Micky McIlorum (Hull KR), Manu Maโu (Souths Sharks), Matt Ikuvalu (Wyong Roos), Jarrod Wallace (Retired)
Players to watch
Luke Keary could be a great shout for Man of Steel if he’s fit and firing. The 33 year-old has done it all in the game – State of Origin, World Cups, NRL Premierships, you name it. My only reservation with the veteran Aussie is that he initially announced his retirement at the end of 2024 before backtracking to sign a contract with Catalans. As long as he’s here for the rugby and not the sightseeing though, he’ll be a superstar.
Tevita Pangai Junior is another one of the new arrivals from Down Under, and if I have question marks around Keary, then I definitely have them around TPJ. The former NSW representative did actually retire to take up boxing, but after three fights he returned to the NRL in 2024 with the Dolphins. On his day he’s one of the most explosive ball carriers in the game, and at 29, he’s still got plenty of miles on the clock, but he needs to knuckle down and focus on playing if he’s to have an impact.
Young gun
Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet made five appearances last year, and the 19 year-old is comfortable anywhere across the back line. With the likes of Sam Tomkins and Tommy Makinson on the wrong side of 30, there’s every chance he could see plenty of game time in 2025.
Our prediction – 4th
I’m expecting a big bounce back from the Dragons this year. Despite losing some big names, I’m very impressed with the replacements they’ve brought in, and last year’s 7th-placed finish feels more like the exception rather than the norm for Catalans. It’s unlikely they’ll miss out on the top six in back-to-back years, in my opinion.
