2025 Mid-season review: St George Illawarra Dragons

The St George Illawarra Dragons were arguably the most active club in terms of recruitment over the off-season.

After losing several high profile players including Zac Lomax, Ben Hunt and Jack Bird, the Dragons brought in plenty of experience with Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes and Damien Cook.

It would’ve been a long off-season for Shane Flanagan’s men after they squandered a golden opportunity to play finals in 2024 after a six-year hiatus. Sadly, it’s a familiar script in 2025 as the Dragons have been far too inconsistent to suggest they are a bona fide finals side. With 10 rounds left and no more byes at their disposal, it’s now or never for the Red V to make a final assault for September action.

Ladder: 11th
Record: 6W, 8L, 3 Byes

Positive: Weathered the Melbourne Storm

The Dragons entered their Round 4 clash against the Storm still without a win in 2025. Many expected the Storm to waltz in Kogarah and grab the two points on a wet and miserable afternoon. However, the weather played into the Dragons’ hands as both teams struggled to hold on to a slippery ball.

Trailing 8-6 at the main break, the Dragons scored the only try of the second half courtesy of Jacob Liddle and held on by the skin of their teeth to claim their first win of the season. It was proof that the Dragons were capable of toppling the best sides in the competition, even if a bit of luck fell their way.

Negative: Dragons cough up lead to hand Parramatta and Zac Lomax their first win

After downing the Premiership favourites in Melbourne the week before, the Dragons had their colours lowered by a then-winless Parramatta side. To add insult to injury, it was former Dragons star Zac Lomax who was the hero for his new side.

Leading 20-8 deep in the second half, the Dragons should’ve controlled the game and coasted home for a solid win. An error-riddled final 20 minutes let Parramatta back in the contest. Halfback Lachlan Ilias would then kick the ball out on the full in golden point to hand the Eels perfect field position.

Lomax lined up from 25 metres out and all the Dragons players could do was see the ball sail through the uprights.

Best Player: Clint Gutherson

The former Parramatta Eels captain was brought in to be a leader and he has delivered in spades. After a difficult 2024 campaign in which he mostly played through injury, King Gutho has roared back to life in his new colours. The 30-year-old has scored six tries, set up an additional six and has already equalled his career high tally of linebreaks for a season with 15.

Biggest Moment(s): Three one-point losses

After Round 17, the Dragons sit on 18 competition points and if it weren’t for an inferior points differential (-45), they would be sitting in eighth spot on the ladder. However, if St George Illawarra had one even one of the three games they had lost by a singular point, they would be sitting in the top eight.

In Round 2, the Dragons led 24-12 with 25 minutes remaining against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Despite scoring five tries to four, inaccurate goal kicking would cost them as the Bunnies clinched a 25-24 win. It was a similar situation in Round 5 at CommBank Stadium where the Dragons coughed up another lead to lose 23-22.

Five weeks later, the Dragons again scored more tries than their opposition in the Warriors. Despite scoring three consecutive tries, Valentine Holmes’ normally reliable goal kicking let him down and the Red V faithful saw Luke Metcalf ice the game for the Warriors with a field goal.

If the Dragons miss finals, they would look back on these three fixtures in horror.

Grade: C+