NRL Supercoach 2026: Dragons squad analysis

The St. George Illawarra Dragons will begin their 2026 campaign bullish of an improved season with a clean slate of health and a year of experience under the belt for a number of rookies.

They sat respectably in 11^th place after round 23 before absolutely capitulating in the final games to finish in 15^th.

They debuted a number of players last year including a host of extremely promising forwards, who will benefit enormously from the experience.

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After some extended time at the helm, Shane Flanagan is beginning to shape the squad he wants which suggests to me they can improve this year.

For a number of reasons, largely the change to the new stats system, the Dragons are extremely relevant to start the season.

Let’s take a look at their NRL Supercoach prospects for the 2026 season.

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Predicted Round 1 starting team

1. Clint Gutherson

2. Setu Tu

3. Moses Suli

4. Valentine Holmes

5. Christian Tuipulotu

6. Kyle Flanagan

7. Daniel Atkinson

8. Toby Couchman

9. Damien Cook

10. Emre Guler

11. Jaydn Su’A

12. Jacob Halangahu

13. Hamish Stewart

14. Jacob Liddle*

15. Loko Pasifika-Tonga

16. Josh Kerr

17. Luciano Leilua

Analysis: Recruit Daniel Atkinson is likely to start in the halves alongside Kyle Flanagan, with rookie Lyhkan King-Togia and impressive trialist Kade Reed will push both for round 1 spots.

The battle for backline spots is also heating up with Tyrell Sloan, David Fale, Setu Tu all fighting for spots on the wing.

Winger Christian Tuipulotu has overcome injury concern to feature in the opening trial.

He starts on the wing alongside Setu Tu, with David Fale at centre, suggesting perhaps the latter could miss out in Vegas.

Dylan Egan will miss the beginning of the season through injury, with Jacob Halangahu or Luciano Leilua to start on the edge.

Ryan Couchman will push for a bench spot on return from a lengthy injury lay-off alongside other candidates Hame Sele, Blake Lawrie and recruit Josh Kerr.

Jacob Liddle is in major doubt for round 1 with a hamstring injury.

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Fixtures

Round 1: Bulldogs (Vegas)

Round 2: Storm (H)

Round 3: Eels (A)

Round 4: Titans (A)

Round 5: Cowboys (H)

Byes: (Major bye rounds are 12, 15, 18)

Round 9, 15, 19

Verdict: The Dragons have a difficult opening two rounds against the top two defensive teams from last season.

Round 3-5 is far friendly, but the tough start could allow us to pick up any prospects a little later on without any major price changes.

Don’t let the early draw deter from any cheapie prospects, just be wary of having to play them in your starting team to kick-off the campaign.

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Start

Toby Couchman I 2RF-FRF I $588,300

Toby Couchman would have averaged an extra 4 points under the new system, benefitting from extra tackle stats.

He averaged 60 points in 60 minutes, with an exceptional 53 in base stats.

The eye test to me says this bloke will be a Supercoach gun for years to come.

He’s priced at $588k, under the new system he should be $623k based on a 64 point average.

The dual 2RF-FRF positioning is also very handy.

Valentine Holmes I CTW I $734,200

Val wasn’t in my Round 1 plans until the stats change came in.

The Dragons love attacking on their edges with Val a key figure in their shapes.

He’s priced at $734k on a 75 point average, on the NRL stats he averaged 83 points and should be at $806k.

In 2024 he averaged an enormous 80 points per game, and 72 back in 2023.

Setu Tu I CTW I $201,400

Setu Tu may edge out David Fale for a wing spot at the Dragons and starts cheap.

While job security will be poor, it’s hard to go past a bottom dollar cheapie.

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Consider

Moses Suli I CTW I $475,800

Suli is another who benefits from the new stats, he’s priced at $475k on a 49 point average, on the NRL system he averaged 56 points and should be priced at $549k.

Suli had just three try-assists last season on Fox scoring, which would have elevated to eight under the new system, while he also would have gained an extra seven linebreak-assists!

Incredibly he scored just one try in 20 games last season, this has to improve, doesn’t it?

He also had a very strong 33 in base stats in 2025 which is in the higher tier for CTWs.

At the price there’s genuine value to start, he gets through a mountain of work and should make good cash.

Hamish Stewart I 2RF I $402,800

Stewart impressed in his first extended stint in the NRL last season, averaging 41 points in 38 minutes.

Minutes will be the key and we may need to sit and watch the opening two weeks, but if he looks set to go 50+ there’s a huge case to start or invest in round 3 once we’ve had a look.

With Jack de Belin and David Klemmer gone, and Dylan Egan missing the start of the season, there’s minutes to be won.

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Cheapies

Daniel Atkinson I HFB I $235,600

Atkinson or Sanders? That’s the big question facing Supercoaches ahead of round 1.

Both appeal, Atkinson probably has slightly better job security to start the season, Sanders could kick goals.

But there’s very little in it, including price.

Atkinson played 15 games of 80 minutes in 2024 at Cronulla for an average of 45.53.

He played the lone 80 minute game last season in round 27 against the Bulldogs for 51 points.

I’m largely going to base my decision off whoever looks the best in trials!

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Jacob Halangahu I 2RF I $334,800

A plethora of injuries saw Halangahu elevated into the starting side late last season, leading to an awkward starting price of $334k this season.

Huge pre-season and TLT watch, if he starts on the edge and looks set for 60-80 minutes he’d be a near lock in with a huge work rate and attacking potential.

The Dragons have plenty of quality in the pack, so I’m just not sure yet what game time will look like.

David Fale I CTW I $235,600

Fale and Tu are in a hitout for round 1, if Fale gets the nod, pick him instead!