Act of Squad: Dragons predicted team and 2026 overview

World Cup playmaker Daniel Atkinson is the player the Dragons believe can help turn a raft of narrow losses in 2025 into wins this season.

Atkinson, who spent most of last season as an interchange utility for the Sharks, grew up playing in the halves as a junior in Brisbane and finally gets his chance to steer a team around at NRL level.

The Dragons are looking for a player who can provide the attacking X-factor that may have been the difference between six losses by six points or less last year and a disappointing 15th place finish to the season.

The 24-year-old, who represented his Italian heritage at the last World Cup in 2022, will wear the No.7 jersey, with Kyle Flanagan to be his five-eighth partner.

Injuries impacted heavily on the fortunes of the Red V last season but young guns Hamish Stewart, Dylan Egan and the Couchman twins, Toby and Ryan, are back on deck to bolster a pack featuring representative forwards Josh Kerr, Jaydn Su'A and Luciano Leilua.

In the backs, Clint Gutherson and Valentine Holmes always perform to the highest standard and if coach Shane Flanagan can get the same consistency from centre Moses Suli and outside backs Tyrell Sloan and Christian Tuipulotu the Dragons will be hard to beat.

Rookies David Fale and Setu Tu, who have joined St George Illawarra from Penrith and the Warriors respectively, are vying for wing spots in Round 1 against the Bulldogs at Allegiant Stadium.

Flanagan has more young forwards coming through, headed by prop Loko Pasifiki Tonga and second-rower Jacob Halangahu, who have already played NRL, while there are big wraps on teenage halfback Kade Reed.

The Dragons will have their first hit-out in the Pre-season Challenge against the Knights at Jubilee Stadium on February 7.  

Casualty ward: All the latest injury news
Comings and Goings: 2026 Signings Tracker
Witzer Pre-Season Challenge Draw

Best 17

1. Clint Gutherson
2. Tyrell Sloan
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Moses Suli
5. Christian Tuip
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Daniel Atkinson
8. Josh Kerr
9. Damien Cook
10. Toby Couchman
11. Dylan Egan
12. Jaydn Su'A
13. Hamish Stewart
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Luciano Leilua
16. Ryan Couchman
17. Emre Guler