LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a year that saw the St George Illawarra Dragons finally break their six-year finals drought, there's a sense of optimism brewing for the 2026 season.
The arrival of coach Shane Flanagan brought about some tough decisions, with players like Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax heading for the exit door.
The departures of these key players, while not easily replaced, have freed up both salary cap space and roster spots for the Dragons.
With plenty of cash to splash, the club is now in a position to strengthen their squad in key areas.
To once again become a force in the league, the Dragons will need to make strategic acquisitions across the board.
It's been over a decade since they were last considered premiership contenders, back in the days of Wayne Bennett's coaching reign in 2010.
As the 2026 recruitment period kicks off, Zero Tackle will be keeping a close eye on all 17 clubs to see who their top targets are.
Today, we focus on the Dragons as they aim to rebuild and rise back to the top of the Rugby League ladder.