THE Dragons were listless in 2016.

They were never really good enough to challenge for the finals but weren’t bad enough to crash to the bottom of the ladder.

Fixing their attack should be their first priority in 2017 and we’ve taken a look at the other things they need to work on in the latest instalment of our Summer School series.

Can their attack improve?

Round 20

Saying the Dragons were boring last season is an insult to things that are boring.

No matter how they tried or how they played, scoring points was something that was just too damn difficult for the Red V.

Their 341 points was the 2nd least in the competition, ahead of just the Newcastle Knights, and they were over 100 points behind the next-worst performing attack, the Sydney Roosters. They only scored 30 points or more twice and were held to less than 20 points in 17 of their 24 matches.

Be it by fair means or foul, the priority for the Dragons this season must be improving their attack.

Should Dugan finally move to centre? Source: Getty Images

Will they commit to Josh Dugan at centre?

The Dragons want Josh Dugan at centre and Josh Dugan wants Josh Dugan at centre but the club is yet to commit to the move. After training in his new position all of last off-season it took just two matches for Dugan to get moved back to fullback, where he stayed for the rest of the season.

Regardless of Dugan’s suitability to either position, if the Dragons really see him as a centre long-term they must commit to it and not switch him back whenever things start to go south. Part of their reluctance to commit might be due to the lack of quality options at fullback with Adam Quinlan and Kurt Mann not exactly setting the world on fire in their brief opportunities last season, which brings us to…..

Can Matt Dufty do it?

Matt Dufty has been one of the great hopes for Dragons fans for some time. The Penshurst junior has scored 54 tries in 65 games in the Under 20s and nabbed a spot on the bench in the team of the year.

Dufty doesn’t have the size or power of some modern fullbacks but he’s quick as lightning and a superb support player. If the Dragons want to move Dugan to centre and get a little bit of attacking spark, Dufty could be the man to fill the void.

The Dragons have high hopes for Matt Dufty. Source: News Corp Australia

Will the bigger forwards be enough?

St George Illawarra will boast much more size in the middle in 2017 compared to 2016 with Raiders prop Paul Vaughan joining the club and Mose Masoe set to return after missing all of last season with a knee injury.

That gives the Dragons a middle forward rotation of Vaughan, Masoe, Jack de Belin, Leeson Ah Mau and Tariq Sims with Joel Thompson, Tyson Frizell and Luciano Leilua as their three main edge forwards.

On paper, that is a far superior line-up to the one they trotted out through 2016.

Is Drew Hutchison the answer? Source: News Corp Australia

Is Hutcho the answer?

The departure of Benji Marshall means that the Dragons need a new halfback and the leading replacement is Drew Hutchison.

The 21-year old has played four first grade matches over the past two years and the club is hoping he can be the man to help lead the team forward.

A rangy runner with a good kicking game, Hutchison has represented New South Wales and Australia at youth level and came along well in the NSW Cup last season, kicking the winning field goal in the upset grand final win over Mounties.

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Predicted 17 for Round 1, 2017

1. Matt Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Euan Aitken 4. Josh Dugan 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Tariq Sims 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin 14. Luciano Leilua 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Mose Masoe 17. Will Matthews

If the Dragons decide against moving Dugan to centre Taane Milne would be the likely man to slot in at centre.

He was highly impressive in his limited chances last year and might be worth trying to fit into the team on the wing even if Dugan isn’t at fullback.

Tariq Sims was used exclusively in the middle last season, so we can presume that he will remain there this season.

If the Dragons do opt to use him on an edge, look for Joel Thompson to move to the bench and Leeson Ah Mau to slot in upfront.