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<\/p>\n\u201cIt\u2019s not the golden bullet that will turn everything around instantly and deliver results.<\/p>\n
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New Dragons chief executive Tim Watsford.Credit: St George Illawarra Dragons<\/p>\n
\u201cBut from a connection point of view, the football staff will know the admin, and the admin staff will know the football. And that\u2019s something that is pretty important in any high-performing organisation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watsford said winning started in the front office and the changes were already having an impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cI genuinely believe that. So we\u2019ve got some great people who have come into the business, and we\u2019ve reorganised what our structure looks like right across the board,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re making sure that we\u2019re not leaving any stone unturned in ensuring that we are the best we can be.\u201d<\/p>\n
The obvious box that still needs to be ticked is game-day success. Since their most recent play-off appearance seven years ago, under former coach Paul McGregor, the Dragons have finished 15th, 12th, 11th, 10th, 16th, 11th and 15th.<\/p>\n
\u201cChallenge accepted,\u201d Watsford said of the market plunge against the team. \u201cWhen the bookmakers put up where are you going to finish, that\u2019s only going to ignite the fire to prove them wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now in their third campaign under hard-nosed coach Shane Flanagan, Watsford declared the Dragons were \u201cnot as far away as you might think,\u201d highlighting eight games they lost by six points or less last season, including three by one point.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re competing,\u201d he said. \u201cBut it\u2019s not about looking in the rear-vision mirror. It\u2019s about eyes forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
A host of youngsters, including twins Ryan and Toby Couchman, Hayden Buchanan, Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart, Jacob Halangahu and Lyhkan King-Togia gained valuable experience in 2025 and should theoretically continue to improve.<\/p>\n
But big-name imports remain a priority. Clint Gutherson led the way in his maiden year last season, and Damien Cook provided good value. They did not miss a game between them, while Valentine Holmes represented Queensland before a shoulder injury sidelined him after 14 games.<\/p>\n
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South Sydney\u2019s Test forward Keaon Koloamatangi is a recruitment target for the Dragons.Credit: NRL Images<\/p>\n
Cronulla playmaker Daniel Atkinson and prop Josh Kerr, returning from the Dolphins, are their main additions for next year.<\/p>\n
However, the Dragons remain in the hunt for the likes of Koloamatangi (South Sydney) and representative forward Tino Fa\u2019asuamaleaui (Gold Coast) who are both off contract at the end of 2026.<\/p>\n
This masthead revealed earlier this month that the Dragons\u2019 sales pitch to Koloamatangi included a helicopter flight to showcase the Illawarra region.<\/p>\n
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Parramatta have also weighed in with a massive four-year offer for the 27-year-old, while a host of clubs will be trying to tempt Fa\u2019asuamaleaui to leave the Titans.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe like big middles. That\u2019s probably fair to say,\u201d Watsford said on the club\u2019s recruitment plans.<\/p>\n
Starting against traditional rivals Canterbury in their Las Vegas season opener, Watsford said he was optimistic about the Dragons\u2019 prospects in 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to do everything we can to win premierships,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n