The Bulldogs and Tigers have rebuilt their rosters. So why can’t the Dragons?

April 7, 2026 — 5:00am

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Admittedly, it’s a hot field for long-suffering Dragons fans.

But the most galling thing of all in the club’s current plight might be the jealous glances across the back fence at two of their closest neighbours and fellow underachievers of the past decade.

At the end of 2023, Wests Tigers, the Dragons and Bulldogs finished 17th, 16th and 15th respectively.

Even with another Tigers wooden spoon since, two of the three clubs have rebuilt, revamped and recruited their way out of the mire.

St George Illawarra shot up to within a win or so of the 2024 finals, shot right back down and sit once again with a coach in the crosshairs, a badly misshapen roster and seemingly once more years of rebuilding ahead of them.

Another demoralising loss to Manly on Friday could well hasten what feels an inevitable end for Shane Flanagan, though the Dragons’ hierarchy has stressed its support for the coach throughout an 0-5 start to the year.

Behind the scenes, officials talk of significant club-wide change, just as Canterbury and Wests Tigers counterparts did for years.

But where the Bulldogs rebuild gathered momentum with the signings of Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau, Reed Mahoney and Stephen Crichton – and with Cameron Ciraldo coaching astutely and Phil Gould able........

© The Sydney Morning Herald