St George Illawarra Dragons enter the 2026 NRL season looking to improve after finishing 15th in 2025. With the recruitment of Daniel Atkinson in order to stabilise the halves driving their campaign, the club will be aiming to defy the odds and play finals footy for the first time since 2018.
Season Preview
The Dragons are entering 2026 with renewed optimism under coach Shane Flanagan, who has overseen a significant rebuild.
The departures of veteran forwards Jack de Belin (to the Parramatta Eels) and David Klemmer (to Super League club St Helens) represent a significant clear-out of experience in the St George Illawarra Dragons’ middle and back row, forcing a major reliance on the club’s promising young crop to drive the engine room in 2026.
Local juniors Dylan Egan and Hamish Stewart headline the next wave—Stewart is widely tipped to lock in the No.13 jersey full-time (after stepping up impressively late in 2025), while Egan brings explosive edge potential despite an ACL injury sidelining him early in the season. Backed by the likes of the Couchman brothers (Toby and Ryan), experienced players like Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su’A, and new recruits such as Josh Kerr, the Dragons are banking on this youthful, mobile pack to provide the grunt, meterage, and energy needed to elevate their forward performance and support the spine’s attacking ambitions.
After a disappointing 15th-place finish in 2025 with a -130 points differential, the focus is on turning narrow losses into wins through added experience and attacking flair.
The team is backing a high-stakes start in Las Vegas, with Flanagan promising a “revolution” to climb the ladder, potentially avoiding the wooden spoon for the first time since 1938.
Experts are predicting a lower table finish, emphasising the need for a fast start to build momentum.
Best Signing
Daniel Atkinson
Daniel Atkinson, the most high-profile recruit to join the St George Illawarra Dragons from arch-rivals Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, steps into the spotlight as the new halfback partnering Kyle Flanagan in the halves.
The 24-year-old playmaker, signed on a three-year deal starting in 2026, arrives after Lachlan Ilias struggled to lock down a consistent first-grade spot last season before departing for the Gold Coast Titans. Atkinson, who wore the number 7 jersey in pre-season plans and is set to debut in the Las Vegas opener, is viewed as the marquee addition expected to take control of the attack.
With his experience as a skilled organizer and goal-kicker from stints at Melbourne and Cronulla, he’s tasked with sparking the Dragons’ attack, providing direction and stability in the halves alongside Flanagan to help turn around the club’s fortunes and push for a finals return.
Key Player
Damien Cook
The veteran hooker brings speed, vision, leadership, and dummy-half creativity to a forward pack needing dynamism. His experience will help mentor younger forwards like the Couchman brothers, Hamish Stewart, and Dylan Egan.
Player to Watch
Kade Reed
Kade Reed, the 19-year-old St George Illawarra Dragons halfback, signed a contract extension during the off-season that will keep him at the club until the end of 2028. A local junior product, the exciting young playmaker is firmly in the mix to make his NRL debut in the season opener in Las Vegas this week.
He’s been turning heads with a standout performance in a recent pre-season trial, where he bagged a try (chasing through his own grubber), provided multiple assists, and showcased strong kicking game. Still raw and developing, Reed is viewed as a promising future attacking weapon for the Dragons, with some drawing comparisons to Xavier Coates for the kind of game-breaking impact he could deliver down the track.
Draw Analysis
The St George Illawarra Dragons launch their 2026 NRL campaign in spectacular fashion with a blockbuster Round 1 clash against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 28 (8:30pm local time / Sunday, March 1 at 3:30pm AEDT). This high-profile international opener—part of the NRL’s growing push into the US market—sets the stage early, with the Red V aiming to make a statement in front of a global audience.
The road doesn’t ease up from there: they face the formidable Melbourne Storm in Round 2 at WIN Stadium, followed by a tough away trip to CommBank Stadium against a rejuvenated Parramatta Eels in Round 3. A brutal start against three strong contenders will test the new-look halves combination and young forward pack right out of the gates.
Relief could come during the State of Origin period (Games I-III: May 27 at Accor Stadium, June 17 at the MCG, and July 8 at Suncorp), when several top sides are depleted by representative duties. Key fixtures include a clash against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium—potentially weakened by Maroons absences—and a fiery local derby against the Cronulla Sharks, which could see both teams at reduced strength depending on Origin selections.
If the Dragons prove finals-worthy in what shapes as a competitive season, they’ll likely square off against fellow top-eight contenders like Canterbury, Manly, and Parramatta in the September playoffs. A strong finish could see them building momentum against these direct rivals, positioning the club for a genuine shot at ending their long premiership drought.
Big Questions
- Will the new halves combination of Daniel Atkinson and Kyle Flanagan finally ignite the Dragons’ attack, or will it falter like Lachlan Ilias did in 2025?
- Can the emerging young forward pack—led by Toby Couchman, Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart, and the likes of Ryan Couchman—stand toe-to-toe with the NRL’s elite middle units?
- What will it take for the Dragons to flip those agonising close losses from 2025 into hard-earned wins in 2026?
Predicted Finish
Miss Top 8
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Related Items
- 🔁 2025 Season Review: https://rugbyleaguezone.com/st-george-illawarra-dragons-2025-season-review-and-statistical-breakdown/
- 📅 2026 Draw & Fixtures: https://rugbyleaguezone.com/st-george-illawarra-dragons-2026-nrl-fixtures-squad-list-and-player-signings/
