Where to start with this train wreck of a club?
Like the Tigers, this joint venture still has factions and is very much a club divided between those in Wollongong and those in Kogarah.
The administration is out of touch with the fan base and has little idea of how to create a winning culture – yet somehow they survive.
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The Dragons improved slightly after they finally sacked Anthony Griffin – probably a year too late – and Ryan Carr did a good job trying to pick up the pieces.
Ben Hunt was the Dragons’ best player – so much so that without him they may not have won a game – yet he has made it clear he wants nothing to do with the place in a stinging rebuke to management.
He wasn’t the only player who wanted out during a troubled year – classy fullback Tyrell Sloan and half Jayden Sullivan were also vocal in their demands to leave, the latter going to the Tigers next season.
Apart from Hunt, there were few positives – winger Mikaele Ravalawa had a superb season in a poor side, bagging 20 tries, while prop Blake Lawrie, hooker Jacob Liddle and centre Zac Lomax had their moments.
THE MOLE’S 2023 WESTS TIGERS REVIEW
It’s now up to incoming coach Shane Flanagan – a controversial choice given his past indiscretions – to try resurrect a club in desperate need of a makeover.
But the Dragons have signed just one player to date – forward Hame Sele from the Rabbitohs – and they need much, much more to avoid another season of failure.
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Best player: Despite being unhappy with the club, Hunt was a marvel, scoring tries, saving tries and creating tries as well as leading the Dragons to the best of his ability.
Biggest disappointment: Plenty of contenders here – probably Jack Bird who is a class player but showed very little of his best in 2023. Expect him to be elsewhere next season.
Key signing: Sele wins this by default – but expect Flanagan to bring his son Kyle to the club – he’ll be under pressure to try to lift the team.
2024 gains: Hame Sele (Rabbitohs)
2024 losses: Jayden Sullivan (Wests Tigers)