2025 NRL Team Previews

St George Illawarra Dragons NRL 2025 Team Preview, Predictions & Player Movement

Ryan Tucker

Editor

Last updated: 11 Feb 2025

Ryan Tucker 11 Feb 2025

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Dragons in rebuild mode with veteran additions.
Projected finish: 16th; wins expected: 7.
Key player movement: Ins - Cook, Gutherson; Outs - Lomax, Hunt.

Clinton Gutherson of the St.George Illawarra Dragons poses for a photo during the 2025 NRL Premiership Media Launch at Events by Alpha on February 10, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

St George Illawarra Dragons NRL 2025 Team Preview, Predictions & Player Movement

St George Illawarra Dragons NRL 2025 Team Preview, Predictions & Player Movement
Where St George Illawarra Dragons finish in 2025: 16
Projected Win total: 7
Best contender for Dally M: Clint Gutherson
What’s to like
What’s NOT to like
St George Illawarra Dragons Offseason Player Movement
St George Illawarra Dragons Predicted Starting 17

Where St George Illawarra Dragons finish in 2025: 16th

The Dragons are in rebuild mode right now and have taken on some veterans to fill a few holes and teach the young core how to play in a footy team. Having veterans also means there is a bigger risk for injury to players that can be the difference in winning and losing in close games.

St George still have a respectable squad and will likely surprise some opponents this season but the consistency of playing at the top level will need to be proved before we are ready to back them to be further up the standings.

Projected Win total: 7

In 2024 St George Illawarra finished with 11 wins but their points differential was atrocious meaning they overachieved on wins compared to the computer model. Add to that the 5 win total from the year previous and this team has been pulled back to 8 in the modelling.

We chose to dock them another win due to the halves pairing of Ilias and Flanagan who are both undersized and will need time to get set into their roles steering this team around.

Best contender for Dally M: Clint Gutherson

On a team devoid of proper superstars it is easier to pick up points for being one of the better or more accomplished players on the roster. Gutho is still a player that can lift a team with a clutch play which stands out in voters minds. Expect him to pick up points in a losing team but not really challenge for a top placing.

Last season Ben Hunt was the Dragons leading points getter with 33 on the year.

What’s to like

The rebuild is in full effect and if the young guns are going to learn how to play as part of a winning team then they now have a bunch of great role models in Clint Gutherson, Damien Cook and Val Holmes. Holmes will also improve their goalkicking which was ranked 7th in the league last season with Zac Lomax.

What’s NOT to like

Where do we start, the halves or the depth? Lachie Ilias and Kyle Flanagan are going to have to prove their worth as a duo with both players being moved on from previous clubs due to their inability to perform consistently. Defence has also been an issue for both players due to their size, expect opposition 2nd rowers to be targeting them in set plays.

The forwards are lacking quality depth, there are always a crop of young players coming through and no doubt a future star will be uncovered but the experienced player to plug in a player if Su’A, Leilua or de Belin go down is missing from this roster.

St George Illawarra Dragons Offseason Player Movement

Ins: Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Clint Gutherson (Eels), Lachlan Ilias (Rabbitohs), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys), Nathan Lawson (Australian Rugby 7s)

Outs: Zac Lomax (Eels), Savelio Tamale (Raiders), Jack Bird (Wests Tigers), Max Feagai (Dolphins), Alec Tuitavake (Leigh Leopards), Ben Hunt (Broncos), Dan Russell (Warrington), Fa'amanu Brown (released), Jesse Marschke (North Sydney Bears)