Squad Breakdown: Dragons 2023 SuperCoach analysis

2020 NRL Supercoach runner-up Tim Williams takes a deep dive into the credentials of the Dragons for 2023.

NRL

1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mat Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Moses Mbye
7. Ben Hunt
8. Blake Lawrie
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Zane Musgrove
11. Jack Bird
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack de Belin

14. Jayden Sullivan
15. Josh Kerr
16. Tyrell Fuimaono
17. Aaron Woods

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Team news

Anthony Griffin may opt for Moses Mbye starting in the halves, with Jayden Sullivan off the bench as per the Charity Shield.

Jack Bird is in some doubt for round 2 (round 1 bye) with a meniscus injury but is expected to be available.

Talatau Amone is dealing with an off-field issue and is unavailable for an indefinite period.

The front-row rotation is somewhat of a mystery, but I have Blake Lawrie and Zane Musgrove starting up front.

Michael Molo could easily find himself on the bench, along with recruit Ben Murdoch-Masila.

Francis Molo is also unavailable for the first two rounds due to suspension but will be considered on return.

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Draw

Bye, Titans (H), Broncos (A), Sharks (H), Dolphins (H), Titans (A), Raiders (A), Roosters (A), Bulldogs (H), Tigers (Suncorp, Magic Round).

First five round strength of schedule rating (1 toughest, 10 easiest)

7/10

2023 gains – Squad changes via NRL.com

Zane Musgrove (Wests Tigers), Nick Lui-Toso (Northern Pride), Jacob Liddle (Wests Tigers), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Warriors).

2023 losses

Jackson Ford (Warriors), George Burgess (retired), Poasa Faamausili (Dolphins), Jack Gosiewski (Cowboys), Andrew McCullough (retired), Tariq Sims (Storm), Josh McGuire (Warrington). 

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GUNS

Zac Lomax $634,000

I can’t make a decent case for any Dragons players at this stage.

There’s a few reasons, namely the uncertainty around their team and the fact they have the round 1 bye, so cheapies in particularly will all largely be a gamble on selection.

Their draw is promising from round 2, but I’m just not convinced they’ve got enough points in them.

Lomax though is always an option, a genuine gun of Supercoach. He had what I thought was a relatively down year in Supercoach and still averaged 60 points which says it all.

He’s such a focal point of their attack and can score from anywhere, and I think he’ll be out to put his name back in the Origin frame this season.

More than anything though he just needs the Dragons to click to boost those goal-kicking points to increase his floor.

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MID-RANGERS

Ben Hunt $585,600

There may be a few looking at Benny Hunt if you’re avoiding Nathan Cleary or Nicho Hynes, but I don’t think he’s overly relevant.

In a Dragons side that were fairly resilient last season, he was outstanding, yet still only averaged 56 points per game.

I’m not sure how much more that bloke can do for the Red V?

I think it should be enough to scare you off on the fact he had three scores last season of 9, 4 and 11.

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CHEAPIES

Tyrell Sloan $298,600

Sloane has some admirers to start the season at 11% ownership, priced in cheapie range, playing fullback and available at CTW.

There’s so much exciting upside to him, but his floor is so low.

Again, I’m just not sure how many the points the Dragons will have in them, and job security for Sloane is poor.

In four games at fullback last season he averaged 42.5 which is okay.

He then had two games late on the wing for scores of 17 and 27.

I’m more than happy to be wrong and buy him come round 4 before his initial price rises if he fires early.

Moses Mbye $299,600

Not guaranteed a start, and has never been Supercoach relevant.

Despite his impressive trial form I can’t go near him.

Ben Murdoch Masila $234,800

The Dragons forward make-up is a bit of a lottery, so going early on any forwards seems very risky.

BMM could be anything from starting, to out of the 17 entirely, I genuinely don’t know.

He played edge in trials, but those spots will go to Su’A and Bird, and de Belin will play lock, so I’m not sure he’ll get the minutes to be relevant.

He scored at 1.02PPM last season, and in 2021 he averaged 41 points in 41 minutes, so keep an eye on him in a month if he gets the minutes.

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