Four straight losses, in which they conceded an average of 42 points a game, began a dismal first half of the season for St George Illawarra. By the halfway point of the year they were dead last with just 2 wins from 12 games. Coming off their second bye in Round 14, the Dragons turned their season around. A win over the finals bound Roosters in Round 16 was followed by a further five wins from their last 11 games, which saw the Dragons finish the year in 14th spot and avoid the wooden spoon.
It was a year of turnover for the Red V in which they played 39 players, the most in the competition, and introduced a number of young players. Euan Aitken spent the whole season in the NRL, while Drew Hutchison played mostly in the NSW Cup. A slow start killed any hopes of finals footy but a strong finish to the season will leave coach Ben Hornby positive that post-season football may not be out of reach in 2016.
Standout Players
Despite the poor season for the club, five-eighth Adam Clune was consistent in attack throughout the year, he finished in the top five for try assists (24) and linebreak assists (26). While his season started late due to injury, fullback Matthew Dufty once again stood out for the Dragons, scoring 11 tries in 19 games and contributing 18 try assists and 17 linebreak assists. Forwards Jacob Host and Blake Lawrie played their first full seasons of NYC, each playing 22 games, and lead from the front each time.
Top Pointscorer
Second rower Ryan James took over kicking duties halfway through 2015 and ended up as the Dragon’s top point scorer. He scored 3 tries and kicked 41 goals, including eight against the Knights in Round 21, for 94 points.
Top Tryscorer
After making his NYC debut in Round 13, winger Tom Carr scored in all but two of his next 12 games to finish with an impressive 17 tries. The Helensburgh junior scored consecutive doubles in Rounds 18 and 19 and picked up a hat trick in the Dragons’ 30-point win over Newcastle in Round 21.
Best Win
Round 24 – defeated Penrith 28-16.
The Dragons dented Penrith’s minor premierships at the time in a game where they lead at half time and never looked back. The Panthers were in first heading into the match but a double to Carr and an intercept try to Reuben Garrick shortly after the break gave the Dragons one of the upset wins of the season.
Graduates
Euan Aitken (2013-2014 – 25 games, 19 tries, 76 points)
Still eligible for the Holden Cup in 2015, Aitken spent the year in first grade, finishing his impressive rookie season with 6 tries in 22 games.
Jack Bird (2013-2014 – 37 games, 15 tries, 60 points)
A star for the Dragons NYC side, Bird moved to Cronulla in 2015 and hasn’t looked back. Playing five-eighth, Bird represented Country in May and is a contender for NRL Rookie of the Year.
Yaw Kiti Glymin (2012-2013 – 21 games, 6 tries, 24 points)
An Arncliffe Scots junior, Glymin spent 2014 playing NSW Cup before making his NRL debut for the Dragons in Round 17. He re-signed with the club for two years in August.
Drew Hutchison (2013-2015 – 34 games, 8 tries, 4 goals, 40 points)
A member of the 2014 NYC Team of the Year, Hutchison has played three NRL games in 2015. He captained the victorious NSW under 20s side in July and made his NRL debut a week later.
Rory O’Brien (2008 – 26 games, 5 tries, 20 points)
He played in the Dragons inaugural NYC side in 2008 and finally made his NRL debut in 2015. Signed a one-year contract with Parramatta for 2016.
Player to Watch in 2016
Reuben Garrick played 5 NYC games in 2015, scoring 3 tries, and making an immediate impact in the Red V. In Round 24, he scored a try and ran for 237 metres against the Panthers. The 17-year old was selected for the Australian Schoolboys in July after a strong showing in the Under 18 National Championships.
Representative Honours
Reuben Garrick – Australian Schoolboys, New South Wales under-18s
Drew Hutchison – Junior Kangaroos, New South Wales under-20s (captained the side)
Blake Lawrie – New South Wales under-18s
Hame Sele – New South Wales under-20s
18TH MAN 