2025 Round 1 team

[Chris M]

10. Shane Flanagan (Dragons)​

The Dragons overachieved under Shane Flanagan this year in his first season at the helm, but now he’s lost his captain and best player in Ben Hunt. It may prove a blessing in disguise but you only have to look at this year’s top eight and most were led by a superstar halfback. Flanagan hasn’t replaced Hunt yet and it’s looking increasingly less likely he’ll get anyone close to as talented, which could spell trouble for the veteran coach.

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JDB and Su'A were the Dragons best and Lomax just a bit behind but I've gotta agree with this. Without a decent halfback, I think next season is going to be difficult. Better team but without a decent halfback means finishing in a similar position. Happy with Hunt finally being gone but I still think it would have been good if we could have kept him for one more year.

 

[Chris M]

Rugby Sevens star Nathan Lawson is feverishly learning the Dragons playbook via video sessions as he prepares to make a stunning NRL debut alongside Valentine Holmes and Clint Gutherson next year.

Weeks after winning the Australia’s men’s Sevens player of the year award, Lawson announced his code switch to league after being wooed by Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, and having never played the game before, is now brushing up on his knowledge via software program Hudl.

The Dragons have been trying to offload winger Mikaele Ravalawa, so it’s likely Lawson will battle Tyrell Sloan, Christian Tuipulotu, Mat Feagai and Sione Finau for a starting wing spot in a revamped Dragons backline that now features former Eels skipper Gutherson and Queensland Origin star Holmes.

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No battle at all. Lawson and Finau on the wings, Tuipulotu on the bench, coming on as a prop or injury cover in the backs.

 

[Chris M]

According to fox sport:​

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DRAGONS​

Analysis: Clint Gutherson will fill the No.1 role after switching from the Eels, with Tyrell Sloan vying for a spot on the wing alongside Christian Tuipulotu after Zac Lomax’s departure to the Eels. Mat Feagai is another option on the flank if Sloan is deemed too small. Star recruit Valentine Holmes and will form a new combination with Moses Suli for the next three seasons after Jack Bird’s shift to the Tigers. Kyle Flanagan returns from suspension at halfback with Ben Hunt switching to a yet to be confirmed NRL rival after his release. Lyhkan King-Togia looks set to be the new five-eighth unless the Dragons can land one of their halves targets. Francis Molo and Jack de Belin will start in the front row, with star recruit Damien Cook at hooker. The second row of Luciano Leilua and Jaydn Su’A picks itself with Blake Lawrie at lock. The bench utility will be Jacob Liddle after Cook’s arrival, with Hame Sele, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Toby Couchman rounding out the bench.

Best 17:​

1. Clint Gutherson
2. Christian Tuipulotu (No!) Lawson
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Moses Suli
5. Tyrell Sloan (No. If he's not fullback, he's not in the 17) Finau
6. Lyhkan King-Togia (Yes)
7. Kyle Flanagan (No! From the same publication which a week ago highlighted his stats and concluded, not a half or 5/8)
8. Francis Molo (if there is no one else)
9. Damien Cook
10. Jack de Belin
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Blake Lawrie (funny)
    
    
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Hame Sele
16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner (No!)
17. Toby Couchman

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All in all, not a bad team. Replace Lawrie with Ryan C and then it's a fight between Lawrie, Frank Molo, RFM and Egan for the last two spots. Egan is easily the best of those but maybe doesn't fit in as well as the others. So it's up to Flanno to make a plan for Egan to fit in. That's if Flanno won't consider CT on the bench. And FFS, need a halfback!

 

[GCRV]

According to fox sport:​

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DRAGONS​

Analysis: Clint Gutherson will fill the No.1 role after switching from the Eels, with Tyrell Sloan vying for a spot on the wing alongside Christian Tuipulotu after Zac Lomax’s departure to the Eels. Mat Feagai is another option on the flank if Sloan is deemed too small. Star recruit Valentine Holmes and will form a new combination with Moses Suli for the next three seasons after Jack Bird’s shift to the Tigers. Kyle Flanagan returns from suspension at halfback with Ben Hunt switching to a yet to be confirmed NRL rival after his release. Lyhkan King-Togia looks set to be the new five-eighth unless the Dragons can land one of their halves targets. Francis Molo and Jack de Belin will start in the front row, with star recruit Damien Cook at hooker. The second row of Luciano Leilua and Jaydn Su’A picks itself with Blake Lawrie at lock. The bench utility will be Jacob Liddle after Cook’s arrival, with Hame Sele, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Toby Couchman rounding out the bench.

Best 17:​

1. Clint Gutherson
2. Christian Tuipulotu (No!) Lawson
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Moses Suli
5. Tyrell Sloan (No. If he's not fullback, he's not in the 17) Finau
6. Lyhkan King-Togia (Yes)
7. Kyle Flanagan (No! From the same publication which a week ago highlighted his stats and concluded, not a half or 5/8)
8. Francis Molo (if there is no one else)
9. Damien Cook
10. Jack de Belin
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Blake Lawrie (funny)
    
    
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Hame Sele
16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner (No!)
17. Toby Couchman

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All in all, not a bad team. Replace Lawrie with Ryan C and then it's a fight between Lawrie, Frank Molo, RFM and Egan for the last two spots. Egan is easily the best of those but maybe doesn't fit in as well as the others. So it's up to Flanno to make a plan for Egan to fit in. That's if Flanno won't consider CT on the bench. And FFS, need a halfback!

Blake Lawrie lock

 

[Chris M]

DRAGONS (14th)​

• Games played against
• Top eight: 12
• Top four: 6
• Bottom nine: 12
• Bottom four: 6
• Who they play twice: Raiders, Bulldogs, Sharks, Sea Eagles, Eels, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Warriors

Analysis: The Dragons will be out to build on a promising season in 2024 – Shane Flanagan’s first in charge. Their work will be cut out for them though as they have been handed the fourth toughest schedule in 2025. They kick off their season against the Bulldogs, which is set to have fireworks due to the Kyle Flanagan-Stephen Crichton biting saga from last season. In addition, the Bulldogs are considering signing former Dragon Ben Hunt. If they pull the trigger, it would add plenty of spice given Hunt’s unceremonious exit from the club he spent seven seasons at. While the Dragons will have to play the likes of the Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Sharks and Roosters twice in 2025, they have two fixtures each against last season’s 15t and 16th placed teams as well (Eels, Rabbitohs).

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Thoughts on the draw?

The bye after 2 games is a bit of a stitchup IMO but could be useful for a new spine to review performance after the first 2 rounds.

First 4 games Dogs,south’s,storm at Home and Parra away could be a really tricky run but it’s not too bad after that.

Could really lay a platform for our season if we come out of that with 2 or 3 wins.

Panthers final round could be great for us if their solidified top 4 and want to rest players.

Not particularly affected by origin period and the clubs we play in that time like Roosters and Newcastle will likely miss a few

 

[Chris M]

Thoughts on the draw?

The bye after 2 games is a bit of a stitchup IMO but could be useful for a new spine to review performance after the first 2 rounds.

First 4 games Dogs,south’s,storm at Home and Parra away could be a really tricky run but it’s not too bad after that.

Could really lay a platform for our season if we come out of that with 2 or 3 wins.

Panthers final round could be great for us if their solidified top 4 and want to rest players.

Not particularly affected by origin period and the clubs we play in that time like Roosters and Newcastle will likely miss a few

I think it's pretty good. From this years top 8, Sharks, Bulldogs and next year Roosters are very beatable. Storm and Penrith only once. Broncos might be much better next year and only play them once as well.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

I think it's pretty good. From this years top 8, Sharks, Bulldogs and next year Roosters are very beatable. Storm and Penrith only once. Broncos might be much better next year and only play them once as well.

Sharks/South’s/Manly twice isn’t ideal. They’ll all be quality sides next year.

Thursday night away games to Cronulla and Manly definitely not ideal

 

[TheRev]

I just want an early win to sing the song with gutho/val/cook/halfback/prop and get the monkey off the back, like we did with the Titans last season... but 2 very difficult pre-season games into 3 very hard first up NRL games.. will not be easy.

Beating the Dogs @Home in Rd1 would just be the best way to achieve that goal.. but I dont wanna get my hopes up, they've had the wood over us for a while.

 

[RedVictory]

I think it's pretty good. From this years top 8, Sharks, Bulldogs and next year Roosters are very beatable. Storm and Penrith only once. Broncos might be much better next year and only play them once as well.

Disagree on Sharks being very beatable. They’re the second favourites just behind Storm for the premiership next season in my eyes.

 

[Dave03]

Disagree on Sharks being very beatable. They’re the second favourites just behind Storm for the premiership next season in my eyes.

They've added afb too. 3 out of the first 4 games are 50/50. I wouldn't be shocked if we're 3-1 or 1-3.

 

[Dave03]

If hunt goes to the dogs. The Rd 1 match against them could be explosive.

 

[RedVictory]

They've added afb too. 3 out of the first 4 games are 50/50. I wouldn't be shocked if we're 3-1 or 1-3.

Exactly, it’s a tough start to the season for sure but every year it seems like upsets galore in the opening 3 rounds or so as the strong teams haven’t got rhythm.

 

[Chris M]

Disagree on Sharks being very beatable. They’re the second favourites just behind Storm for the premiership next season in my eyes.

Really? Maybe I'm just biased against them. I think they overacheived last season.

 

[Ryan]

DRAGONS (14th)​

• Games played against
• Top eight: 12
• Top four: 6
• Bottom nine: 12
• Bottom four: 6
• Who they play twice: Raiders, Bulldogs, Sharks, Sea Eagles, Eels, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Warriors

Analysis: The Dragons will be out to build on a promising season in 2024 – Shane Flanagan’s first in charge. Their work will be cut out for them though as they have been handed the fourth toughest schedule in 2025. They kick off their season against the Bulldogs, which is set to have fireworks due to the Kyle Flanagan-Stephen Crichton biting saga from last season. In addition, the Bulldogs are considering signing former Dragon Ben Hunt. If they pull the trigger, it would add plenty of spice given Hunt’s unceremonious exit from the club he spent seven seasons at. While the Dragons will have to play the likes of the Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Sharks and Roosters twice in 2025, they have two fixtures each against last season’s 15t and 16th placed teams as well (Eels, Rabbitohs).

I don't think there will be any easy games and if Dragons don't get a halfback, I think every game is going to be hard. But I don't mind that draw. I'm thinking in no particular order:

• Melbourne: Of course.
• Penrith: Of course but finally slipping.
• NQ: They have the roster to go far. Can Payten deliver?
• Dolphins: Very well balanced squad. Youth, experience, speed, size, skill of the halfback Katoa.
• Brisbane: McGuire will get more out of probably the best roster.

 

[Eric]

I don't think there will be any easy games and if Dragons don't get a halfback, I think every game is going to be hard. But I don't mind that draw. I'm thinking in no particular order:

• Melbourne: Of course.
• Penrith: Of course but finally slipping.
• NQ: They have the roster to go far. Can Payten deliver?
• Dolphins: Very well balanced squad. Youth, experience, speed, size, skill of the halfback Katoa.
• Brisbane: McGuire will get more out of probably the best roster.

All in with the QLD teams? I think Broncos might remain about where they finished this year and Cowboys a bit lower because like the Dragons right now, don't have a halfback. I know Broncos have Reynolds but IMO he's clearly sliding pretty badly. And they don't have a hooker either. Walters son is rubbish if his forwards aren't dominating and even when they are, he's only average. I wouldn't swap him for either of our hookers.

 

[GCRV]

Not going to surprise anyone but Val Holmes confirmed he is going to be playing centre. Suli was mostly good last year. Much better than he was the previous couple of years. Defensively sound which is saying something for the Dragons outside backs, minus Lomax, over the last few years. Might need a bit more in attack from him next season. A fast winger might help with that.

 

[Dave03]

A bit of a souths theme with our squad: Cook, Su'a, Sele, Illias all souths players.

 

[Ryan]

A bit of a souths theme with our squad: Cook, Su'a, Sele, Illias all souths players.

Looking forward to seeing what Illias can bring to the team. I like the way the squad is shaping up. Though a lot will depend on 3 not wanted at their old clubs beyond this year (Cook, Gutherson, Illias).

 

[Chris M]

2025 Breakout Stars​

DRAGONS — Lyhkan King-Togia​

Lyhkan King-Togia’s reportedly no guarantee to remain at the Dragons ahead of the 2025 season. He’s yet to re-sign to remain under Shane Flanagan, with the Red V putting a deal down ready for him to sign. However, if he does decide to stay at the club, the 19-year-old could be the first man in line to slot in for Kyle Flanagan or new recruit Lachlan Ilias in the halves. A bench spot looms unlikely for King-Togia, with Damien Cook and Jacob Liddle set to form a two-prong hooker attack, and the arrival of a host of recruits could see the rising star turn his back on the Dragons, seeking regular minutes. However, if he stays put, the teenager could be regular first grade in years to come and he’s already got four games under his belt after being plucked from obscurity to play first grade in 2024.