THE Dragons offer value all across the park in 2016.
Trent Merrin’s exit could dramatically improve the outputs of Jack De Belin and/or Mike Cooper, while recruit Tim Lafai joins the club at a juicy price.
However, SuperCoaches hope the biggest wins come in the cheapie price range, with veteran Josh McCrone and Junior Kangaroo Drew Hutchinson ready to swoop if there are injuries.
PLAYER MOVEMENT
Ins: Kalifa Faifai Loa (Titans), Siliva Havili (Warriors), Sebastine Ikahihifo (Warriors), Tim Lafai (Bulldogs), Dunamis Lui (Sea Eagles), Kurt Mann (Storm), Mose Masoe (St Helens RLFC), Tyrone McCarthy (Hull KR), Josh McCrone (Raiders), Taane Milne (Roosters), Shaun Nona (Storm), Russell Packer, Adam Quinlan (Eels).
Outs: Shannon Crook (released), Addin Fonua-Blake (released), Craig Garvey (Bulldogs).
Ins: Kalifa Faifai Loa (Titans), Siliva Havili (Warriors), Sebastine Ikahihifo (Warriors), Tim Lafai (Bulldogs), Dunamis Lui (Sea Eagles), Kurt Mann (Storm), Mose Masoe (St Helens RLFC), Tyrone McCarthy (Hull KR), Josh McCrone (Raiders), Taane Milne (Roosters), Shaun Nona (Storm), Russell Packer, Adam Quinlan (Eels).
Outs: Shannon Crook (released), Addin Fonua-Blake (released), Craig Garvey (Bulldogs).
PREDICTED BEST 17
Kurt Mann, Peter Mata’utia/Euan Aitken, Tim Lafai, Josh Dugan, Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Benji Marshall, Lesson Ah Mau, Mitch Rein, Russell Packer, Tyson Frizell, Joel Thompson, Mike Cooper. Interchange: Ben Creagh (c), Jack De Belin, Dunamis Lui, Josh McCrone/Mose Masoe.
Josh Dugan is set to switch from fullback to centre, with recruit Kurt Mann favourite to take the No. 1 jersey. Former Bulldog Tim Lafai slots into the other centre position, which could relegate last year’s star rookie Euan Aitken to the wing or NSW Cup.
Controversial forward Russell Packer is set to return to the NRL as a starting prop, with Mike Cooper to take the lock spot vacated by Trent Merrin (Panthers). A bench hooker spot is up for grabs following the exit of Heath L’Estrange (retired).
We’ve handed the role to recruit Josh McCrone (Raiders) on experience, but he faces stiff competition from fellow fresh face Siliva Havili (Warriors).
Alternatively, the Dragons could go for the size of Mose Masoe (St Helens) and play Mitch Rein for 80 minutes.
Unless there are injuries, his only chance for a first grade spot appears to be as a bench hooker, which would rule him out of cheapie contention.
However, the former Raider and Country Origin star could become a must-have if Gareth Widdop or Benji Marshall went down (although Drew Hutchinson is also a halves contender. See Holden Cup analysis).
Yaw Kiti Glymin (CTW) $133,300
The pacey winger forced his way into first grade last year following brilliant form for the Cutters, but suffered a serious hamstring injury during the match and never made it back to the top grade.
Kiti Glymin sits on a similar rung in the pecking order this year with the recruitment of Kalifa Faifai Loa (Titans), Tim Lafai (Bulldogs) and Kurt Mann (Storm) cancelled out by the departures of Nathan Green (Sea Eagles), Justin Hunt (Tigers), Eto Nabuli (rugby union) and Charly Runciman (Widnes Vikings).
HOLDEN CUP ANALYSIS
Drew Hutchison (HFB, 5/8) $158,100
This kid has serious pedigree - Junior Kangaroos, captain of the NSW under 20s Origin side and 2014 Holden Cup halfback of the Year.
He got a taste of first grade last year with three games, averaging 64 minutes and 25 points. He starts just above bottom dollar at $158,100 and would push for a starting spot if Gareth Widdop or Benji Marshall went down.
VALUE
Tim Lafai (CTW) $239,900
Tim Lafai had a stinker at the Bulldogs last year, averaging a career low 38. He therefore starts 2016 very cheap and has plenty of room for improvement, especially if he can revisit his form of 2014, where he averaged 60.
NO-GO ZONE
Euan Aitken (CTW) $317,000
Starts expensive following a brilliant debut year, but has plummeted down the centre pecking order following the recruitment of Tim Lafai and Josh Dugan’s switch.
Kurt Mann, Peter Mata’utia/Euan Aitken, Tim Lafai, Josh Dugan, Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Benji Marshall, Lesson Ah Mau, Mitch Rein, Russell Packer, Tyson Frizell, Joel Thompson, Mike Cooper. Interchange: Ben Creagh (c), Jack De Belin, Dunamis Lui, Josh McCrone/Mose Masoe.
Josh Dugan is set to switch from fullback to centre, with recruit Kurt Mann favourite to take the No. 1 jersey. Former Bulldog Tim Lafai slots into the other centre position, which could relegate last year’s star rookie Euan Aitken to the wing or NSW Cup.
Controversial forward Russell Packer is set to return to the NRL as a starting prop, with Mike Cooper to take the lock spot vacated by Trent Merrin (Panthers). A bench hooker spot is up for grabs following the exit of Heath L’Estrange (retired).
We’ve handed the role to recruit Josh McCrone (Raiders) on experience, but he faces stiff competition from fellow fresh face Siliva Havili (Warriors).
Alternatively, the Dragons could go for the size of Mose Masoe (St Helens) and play Mitch Rein for 80 minutes.
GUNS
Josh Dugan (FLB, CTW) $365,200
The NSW star was a SuperCoach revelation in 2014 when switched to centre, which suits his “run first, pass later” mentality. Injury is always an issue with Dugan, meaning he’s not an option for round one. But he’s capable of huge scores and could emerge as a popular POD in the closing rounds, as he did in 2015.
Mike Cooper (2RF, FRF) $337,300 - Jack De Belin (2RF, FRF) $355,300
With Trent Merrin making the move to Penrith, these two shape as worthy candidates to replace the NSW forward. Englishman Mike Cooper looks set to start at lock and with a PPM of 0.96, could see a handy increase in value. Jack De Belin is a smokey who could also step up and deliver for potential owners. De Belin played most of his footy off the bench last year and usually this puts a player in the no-go zone. However, in the five games Merrin missed last season due to injury and Origin duty, JDB averaged 56 points per game. Include this with the fact he scored at a very efficient 0.98 points per minute and De Belin becomes one to consider, especially if he is the beneficiary of extra minutes due to the new interchange rule. Keep an eye on the Charity Shield.
CHEAPIES
Josh McCrone (HFB, HOK) $133,300
Starts at bottom dollar following a horror year in which he played just four NRL games at an average of 17.
Josh Dugan (FLB, CTW) $365,200
The NSW star was a SuperCoach revelation in 2014 when switched to centre, which suits his “run first, pass later” mentality. Injury is always an issue with Dugan, meaning he’s not an option for round one. But he’s capable of huge scores and could emerge as a popular POD in the closing rounds, as he did in 2015.
Mike Cooper (2RF, FRF) $337,300 - Jack De Belin (2RF, FRF) $355,300
With Trent Merrin making the move to Penrith, these two shape as worthy candidates to replace the NSW forward. Englishman Mike Cooper looks set to start at lock and with a PPM of 0.96, could see a handy increase in value. Jack De Belin is a smokey who could also step up and deliver for potential owners. De Belin played most of his footy off the bench last year and usually this puts a player in the no-go zone. However, in the five games Merrin missed last season due to injury and Origin duty, JDB averaged 56 points per game. Include this with the fact he scored at a very efficient 0.98 points per minute and De Belin becomes one to consider, especially if he is the beneficiary of extra minutes due to the new interchange rule. Keep an eye on the Charity Shield.
CHEAPIES
Josh McCrone (HFB, HOK) $133,300
Starts at bottom dollar following a horror year in which he played just four NRL games at an average of 17.
Unless there are injuries, his only chance for a first grade spot appears to be as a bench hooker, which would rule him out of cheapie contention.
However, the former Raider and Country Origin star could become a must-have if Gareth Widdop or Benji Marshall went down (although Drew Hutchinson is also a halves contender. See Holden Cup analysis).
Yaw Kiti Glymin (CTW) $133,300
The pacey winger forced his way into first grade last year following brilliant form for the Cutters, but suffered a serious hamstring injury during the match and never made it back to the top grade.
Kiti Glymin sits on a similar rung in the pecking order this year with the recruitment of Kalifa Faifai Loa (Titans), Tim Lafai (Bulldogs) and Kurt Mann (Storm) cancelled out by the departures of Nathan Green (Sea Eagles), Justin Hunt (Tigers), Eto Nabuli (rugby union) and Charly Runciman (Widnes Vikings).
HOLDEN CUP ANALYSIS
Drew Hutchison (HFB, 5/8) $158,100
This kid has serious pedigree - Junior Kangaroos, captain of the NSW under 20s Origin side and 2014 Holden Cup halfback of the Year.
He got a taste of first grade last year with three games, averaging 64 minutes and 25 points. He starts just above bottom dollar at $158,100 and would push for a starting spot if Gareth Widdop or Benji Marshall went down.
VALUE
Tim Lafai (CTW) $239,900
Tim Lafai had a stinker at the Bulldogs last year, averaging a career low 38. He therefore starts 2016 very cheap and has plenty of room for improvement, especially if he can revisit his form of 2014, where he averaged 60.
NO-GO ZONE
Euan Aitken (CTW) $317,000
Starts expensive following a brilliant debut year, but has plummeted down the centre pecking order following the recruitment of Tim Lafai and Josh Dugan’s switch.
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