St. George Illawarra Dragons 2026 season preview
2025 recap
The Dragons’ absence from Finals footy continued in 2025, as they made it a seventh-straight year without a top eight finish.
In fact, the Red V spent just one round in the top eight all year, and they finished 10 points outside the Finals spots in a lowly 15th.
2025 position: 15th
Key signings
Daniel Atkinson (Cronulla Sharks), Josh Kerr (The Dolphins), David Fale (Penrith Panthers)
Key departures
Jack de Belin (Parramatta Eels), Jonah Glover (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Sione Finau (Canberra Raiders), Lachlan Ilias (Gold Coast Titans), Cody Ramsey (Sydney Roosters), David Klemmer (St Helens), Corey Allan (Retired)
Players to watch
Kyle Flanagan has successfully seen off the challenge of Lachlan Ilias to be the Dragons’ chief playmaker. Whatever the reasons for that (having your Dad as coach helps), there’s big pressure on the 27-year-old to help steer the Red V back into Finals contention. He’s played well over 100 games in the NRL now, so he’s hardly a rookie. This feels like a big year where he needs to deliver.
Daniel Atkinson is just one of three new arrivals at the Dragons, so there’ll be plenty of eyes on him from the start. The 25-year-old has yet to crack 50 appearances in the NRL, and where he fits in remains to be seen. I’d expect him to get plenty of opportunities this year though, especially if St. George start struggling.
Young gun
Lyhkan King-Togia had something of a breakthrough campaign in 2025, as he made 17 appearances in first grade. The next step for the 20-year-old is to cement himself in the Dragons’ side. There’s a bit of competition in the halves, but he’s got every chance of regular footy.
Our prediction – 15th
I just can’t see the Dragons being any better than they were last year. The recruitment has been minimal, and there are lots of teams who look far better than them on paper.
