After winning only four the last 12 matches in 2017, many questioned the wisdom of extending Dragons coach Paul McGregor’s contract for another two years.

McGregor was far too timid last year in testing his up-and-coming players, focused primarily on defence, and left an uninspired attack to flounder.

The off-season recruitment focused upon experience, with Ben Hunt and James Graham the stars, as well as forwards Jeremy Latimore and Mitch Allgood coming in.

Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Reddit Email Share

Accordingly, it seems – given the emphasis on experience in recruitment – Latimore and Allgood will be preferred to promising forwards Luciano Leilua (who was entirely ignored at NRL level last year), Hame Sele and Jacob Host (who both saw considerable game time). If this is the case, then the Dragons will be missing the opportunity to blood good young players who might make a difference in tight games.

McGregor will also have to make a choice at fullback, after the departure of Josh Dugan to Cronulla.

Some pundits are suggesting McGregor may be tempted to follow Wayne Bennett’s lead from the World Cup and trial Gareth Widdop at fullback, leaving Matt Dufty, and other possible contenders such as Kurt Mann and Jai Field, to possibly fill the vacant five-eighth spot.

The problem this year is that there is no Auckland Nines competition to give the young players a chance to show what they have to offer. At this stage, the only trial matches are a World Cup challenge match against Hull and the annual Charity Shield against South Sydney, which are both likely to be treated seriously.

McGregor might be tempted to trial Widdop at fullback for at least a part of these trials, with a range of experienced and junior players being utilised in the second row and possibly front row during the latter part of the games.



Come the opening match of the season in March against the Broncos, what can we expect?

Ben Hunt will face off against his old club for the first time and is likely to have Widdop at five-eighth, because that is why McGregor bought Hunt and changing his mind is not something that comes easily to him.

McGregor is also likely to revert to experienced players because of their perceived defensive prowess and toughness and it will be a hard path for the young players to fight their way into the 17 despite stellar performances in the NSW Cup.

Broncos coach Bennett and assistant coach Jason Demetriou still have to make up their minds about Hunt’s replacement in the halves, with Kodi Nikorima possibly being preferred to Troy Dargan.

Despite McGregor, I will tip the Dragons to win both their trial matches, to get up at home against the Broncos, and finally make the top eight in 2018 – only to be knocked out in the first week.

McGregor too will survive the season as coach, with the Dragons’ management being happy with mediocre results.