The St George Illawarra Dragons are gearing up for the 2026 season with a hopeful eye on a significant turnaround, though the full fruits of their development may still be a year or so away. The club boasts one of the most promising junior talent pools in the National Rugby League (NRL), but the burning question remains whether 2026 will be the year this wave of young talent breaks through to become established NRL stars, or if their ascent will extend further into the future.
Adding to the complexity for coach Shane Flanagan are the inevitable off-season player movements, which will undoubtedly present a fresh set of challenges and selection dilemmas as the 2026 campaign kicks off. Key decisions loom regarding the midfield, with the ability of Daniel Atkinson to cement his place in the halves a significant talking point. Meanwhile, seasoned veterans like Clint Gutherson, Damien Cook, and Valentine Holmes will be tasked with leading the charge once more, even as they navigate the twilight of their illustrious careers.
Last season, the Dragons grappled with significant issues concerning general fitness and an alarming injury toll. Despite managing to secure victories against three of the competition’s top four teams, these struggles ultimately saw them languish towards the lower end of the premiership ladder. As Flanagan prepares for 2026, several critical selection questions demand his attention.
The Halves Conundrum: Kyle Flanagan’s Future and Atkinson’s Impact
The composition of the Dragons’ halves pairing, and precisely how Coach Shane Flanagan chooses to deploy them, is set to be one of the most scrutinised aspects of their NRL campaign in the opening weeks. The arrival of Daniel Atkinson is seen as a potential catalyst, a spark that could ignite the club’s often-stuttering attack and transform it into a potent force. However, this move also carries inherent risks.
Atkinson, who has proven to be a valuable utility player during his tenure with the Sharks – consistently performing admirably whenever called upon to play in the halves – is widely expected to occupy the number seven jumper for the Dragons. This season looms as a pivotal one for the Italian international, particularly with the emergence of promising Dragons youngster Kade Reed, who is anticipated to be pushing for a first-grade spot by 2027.
Perhaps the more immediate and significant question facing the coaching staff is whether Kyle Flanagan will reclaim his position in the number six jersey. His performances in that role during 2024, while Ben Hunt was at halfback, were sufficiently strong. If he can recapture that form, his place in the starting lineup should be relatively secure. However, if his performances falter, he could find himself relegated to a role on the new six-man interchange bench, or even demoted to reserve grade, with Lyhkan King-Togia a strong contender for a senior team opportunity.
Contingency Planning: The Impact of a Clint Gutherson Injury
While the preference is always to avoid dwelling on potential injuries, there’s no denying that such setbacks could once again play a significant role in the Dragons’ fortunes in 2026. Clint Gutherson managed to navigate the entire 2025 season without succumbing to injury, a remarkable feat considering the club’s extensive injury list. The Dragons lost the second-highest number of player-weeks to injury in the competition, surpassed only by the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ record-breaking year.
However, Gutherson, whose knee issues are well-documented, is so integral to the Dragons’ structure and success that an injury this season could severely derail their campaign. This brings to the forefront the crucial question: what is the club’s contingency plan if this scenario unfolds?
With Cody Ramsey having departed the club and the out-of-favour Tyrell Sloan struggling to meet Flanagan’s defensive standards, despite being the fastest player on the roster, Sloan might represent the best, or perhaps only, viable option at fullback. Atkinson could also potentially shift to the back, but this is unlikely to be a preferred move for Flanagan if Atkinson is firmly established in the number seven role. Valentine Holmes is, naturally, another possibility, but he is also considered too vital to the team’s structure in the centres to be readily deployed elsewhere.
Wing Selection Battles: New Signings and Emerging Talent
All indications leading into the season suggest that Setu Tu and David Fale are the leading contenders for the starting winger positions for the Red V. Both players were recruited during the off-season, arriving from the New Zealand Warriors and Penrith Panthers respectively. They have both made positive impressions during the pre-season period.
In the Dragons’ opening pre-season challenge match against the Newcastle Knights, Fale was deployed in the centres, while Tu featured on the wing. Both players showcased flashes of brilliance but did not quite present the aura of undisputed stars.
Christian Tuipulotu stands out as the most likely challenger to this duo, particularly given that Tyrell Sloan is well and truly out of favour with Coach Flanagan. Additionally, former rugby union player Nathan Lawson is also in contention, although he encountered difficulties when presented with opportunities last year. Mat Feagai, who is considered the primary backup for Moses Suli and Valentine Holmes in the centres, impressed in the initial trial match and could also be a candidate for a wing role.
Forward Pack Dynamics: Balancing Experience and Emerging Stars
Perhaps the most significant selection headache for Shane Flanagan in 2026 will be finding sufficient game time for his burgeoning crop of forwards in the engine room, and crucially, achieving the right balance between experienced campaigners and youthful talent.
The return of Josh Kerr bolsters the middle forwards, where he, Emre Guler, and Hame Sele are likely to provide the experienced core. Alongside them is a promising group of young forwards. Toby Couchman is no longer a rookie and is expected to start alongside one of the aforementioned senior players. Hamish Stewart is a certainty to assume the lock role, vacated by Jack de Belin, who transferred to the Parramatta Eels during the off-season. Blake Lawrie appears to have shed some weight and could present another option, but it is Loko Pasifiki Tonga – a highly-rated young prospect with immense potential and powerful leg drive – who will be applying significant pressure for a spot in the forward rotation.
On the edges, Jaydn Su’A is a guaranteed starter. Luciano Leilua has made a significant impact by losing 15 kilograms, and Dylan Egan is sidelined with injury until Round 10. This leaves a trio of players – Jacob Halangahu, Ryan Couchman, and Nick Tsougranis – likely vying for a single spot, whether that be in the starting lineup or as an edge forward rotation option. Once Egan makes his return from injury, the availability of that solitary spot may become even more precarious.
