There's been an air of negativity around the Dragons for over a decade - and their 2023 season was perhaps their worst to date for a myriad of reasons.
From the beginning of pre-season when Junior Amone was arrested on assault charges, St George Illawarra have produced more club statements than victories, with the departure of head coach Anthony Griffin another major drama.
The mid-season decision from captain Ben Hunt to ask for a release from his contract was a major blight on the Dragons, who were forced to enter damage control and beg the Maroons star to stay put.
It was also another case of what could have been for the Red V, with 10 of their losses during the regular season coming by 10 points or less, while the side also struggled with injury and suspension at different stages.
Shane Flanagan's arrival as head coach in the off-season could help turn them around, but this year was diabolical and the Dragons did extremely well to hold off the Tigers and avoid the wooden spoon.
The Sporting News takes a deep dive into St George Illawarra's season below.
Did the Dragons over-deliver or under-deliver in 2022?
In the most obvious assessment of the year, it's abundantly clear that St George Illawarra UNDER-DELIVERED this season, finishing one game above Wests Tigers in the battle for the wooden spoon.
With just five wins all season - and just one of them against a side that made the finals - the club were extremely disappointing and failed to capitalise on the solid roster.
The constant off-field dramas and coaching speculation only made matters worse, while the constant Ben Hunt contract dramas were a blight on the club's fortunes, proving to be a major distraction.
While a large chunk of their defeats came in narrow or controversial fashion, their losses to the likes of Cronulla, Brisbane and Warriors were prime examples of how far the Dragons sit behind the eight-ball in the NRL.
When did it fall apart for the Dragons in 2023?
While their season never truly got off the ground, the loss in Round 11 to the Cowboys was the death knell for Griffin's coaching career and the Red V's season as they slumped to a sixth-straight defeat.
After a hot start, the side were placed on the back-foot due to Jayden Sullivan's sin-binning, with the young playmaker not returning for the remainder of the match and the Dragons going down 42-22 in Townsville.
A few days after the defeat, Griffin was axed as head coach, leading to continued in-house issues in Wollongong, highlighted by Hunt's desire for an immediate release.
Interim coach Ryan Carr managed to steady the ship in the month that followed, but there was never any hopes of finals football after a coach being sacked mid-season and their star player seeking an early exit.
The best period to be a Dragons fan in 2023
There wasn't much to cheer about from a St George Illawarra perspective, but their solid four-week stretch after Griffin's departure gave fans a glimmer of hope and an eye towards the future.
Just days after his sacking, the side would defeat the Roosters 24-22 in a nail-biting and dramatic clash at Kogarah, before defeating the Rabbitohs 36-30 a few weeks later during the State of Origin period.
During that same period, the Dragons also fell short against the Panthers 26-18 but gave a spirited effort on the road against the reigning premiers.
Since that initial honeymoon phase under Carr's leadership, the Saints produced just one victory - a narrow triumph over the Tigers, which ultimately saw them avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.
Shining light: Mikaele Ravalawa
He's become a fan-favourite in a dark period for the Dragons, and flying Fijian winger Mikaele Ravalawa continued to provide some highlights for the club's long-suffering fanbase.
The 25-year-old scored the most tries of his NRL career with 21 in 20 games, despite the Red V finishing 16th on the ladder, while also averaging more than one linebreak per appearance.
Ravalawa was rewarded for his performances with a long-term contract extension and looks to have locked down the right wing spot for years to come.
Blake Lawrie and Jack de Belin also had impressive seasons from an individual standpoint, with both men captaining the side and emerging as leaders within the playing group.
Mikaele Ravalawa 2023 NRL stats
| Games | 20 |
| Tries | 21 |
| Linebreaks | 24 |
| Tackle Breaks | 75 |
| Avg. Run Metres | 150m |
Will the Dragons improve in 2024?
The impending arrival of Flanagan as head coach on a three-year deal will give the Dragons a much-needed boost, with the 2016 premiership-winning mentor set to reshape the club's roster and structure.
The likes of Jayden Sullivan and Moses Mbye have already been let go, while a host of other underperforming stars are expected to be shown the door before next season begins.
Flanagan has already brought back local junior Hame Sele to the St George Illawarra roster, while the former Sharks boss is expected to be highly active in the player market once the November 1 free agency date hits.
While the embattled Dragons should move up the ladder next year, finals footy may be too big an ask for Flanagan is his first year in the hot-seat. Instead, look towards 2025 for the sleeping giant to make their presence felt once again.
Dragons player movements 2024
Gains:
Hame Sele
Losses:
Jayden Sullivan
Unsigned
Billy Burns, Nick Lui-Toso, Tautau Moga, Tyrell Fuimaono
