Club
St George
Key players
Players in their early-to-mid twenties hold the key to their success this season. Nick Ryan will be a focal point across half-forward with Jason Saddington unlikely to play this year due to TAC Cup coaching commitments. He will need support from Paul Sain who will mix between ruck and a key forward post. David Lycakis has assumed a leadership role at a young age and has enough experience at Premier Division level now to lead from the front, and will need to in the absence of Blake Guthrie.
Star on the Rise
The Dragons have a plethora of youngsters coming through the system which will hold them in good stead for the next decade.
Jesse Mudge played 19 games in Premier Division last year and was consistently in St George’s best. He is a strong runner who can slip under the guard of opposition sides. Jacob Stek is of a similar build to Mudge and could well extend on his two games in the top grade last season.
Strengths
They have a sustainable model where they have a number of young and talented players knocking on the door. The Sydney South area won the Under 16 GSJ Representative Carnival and their Under 18 side made finals and arguably should’ve pressed for a Grand Final berth. They have a good mix of attack and defence (second best in each facet last season) and know they can match it with the top sides.
Weaknesses
While just listed as a strength, the Dragons have a very young side which only time and games can help.
Have they got that match-winner? They were less than four goals away from Manly-Warringah and Pennant Hills in their respective finals matches last season. The Dragons were in positions to win in both of those games but lacked that Ranga Ediriwickrama or Tyrone Armitage who could win the game off their own boot. Karl Merson will help that equation but maybe they lack that experienced player who can take on that level of onus as they seek to take that premiership-winning step.
Season defining month
Rounds 11-14 will see St George play three of the finals sides that went into the second week of finals or better. First off is a trip to Weldon to play the defending premiers, Manly-Warringah, then they play three matches at home against North Shore, Western Suburbs and the side that ended their 2013 finals aspirations in Pennant Hills. Win at least three of those and they should finish in the top three.
Notable Transfers
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Rodney
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Craig
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AFL Sydney
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Southern Power
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Chris
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Frangos
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AFL Queensland
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Coorparoo Kings AFC
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Thomas
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Green
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AFL Sydney
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Illawarra
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Harrison
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Green
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AFL Sydney
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Illawarra
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Kuiam
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Anu
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AFL Sydney
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Illawarra
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Karl
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Merson
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West Australian Football League (WAFL)
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Perth
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Harrison
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Orr
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AFL Sydney
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Sydney University
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Cameron
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Kolster
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AFL Sydney
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Illawarra Lions
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Notable Outs include: Nathan Kenny (Southport – NEAFL)
Predicted finish – 4th
The Dragons should continue to progress and put themselves in with a decent chance of claiming the Premier Division title. A lot will be reliant on if they can keep their key players on the paddock and the influence of ex-Sydney Hills Eagles, Merson and Dominic Killworth. Despite playing the development card, Terry Mudge will no doubt feel some pressure to perform given this is his 4th 　year at the helm of the Dragons. One of the sides who can give the competition a real shake
Last Modified on 18/03/2014 15:45
