2011 NRL Previews - Dragons and Rabbitohs

It was another sleepy day in NRL land – perhaps it’s the calm before mercifully, the footy starts. Only two sleeps and four teams to go! However, be warned, there's plenty of time for atrocities, drama, scandal and downright boneheadedness to emerge before a tackle is made in anger.

Today, I look at the two most successful clubs in rugby league history – the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Russell Crowe-owned South Sydney Rabbitohs. 

The Dragons ended 31 years of premiership torment with a crushing win over Sydney Roosters in last year’s grand final. With that demon dead-and-buried, people are looking around for the next team that has a hoodoo to break and guess what? It’s South Sydney, who haven’t won the big one since 1971 – 40 years! The Dragons are likely to be right there again this year, while the Bunnies have their best chance since at least 1988.

There's another little subplot here - South Sydney, along with the Brisbane Broncos, the soon-to-be-privatised Newcastle Knights and the loving arms of retirement - are strong contenders to lure supercoach Wayne Bennett away from the Red V.

St George Illawarra

Home Ground: WIN Stadium/WIN Jubilee Oval

Coach: Wayne Bennett

Premierships: 16 (1941, 1949, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1977, 1979, 2010)

2010 finish: 1st

First five rounds: Titans (a), Sharks (a), Warriors (a), Knights (a), Bulldogs (h)

IN: Adam Cuthbertson, 25, back row/prop (Cronulla), Daniel Penese, 21, backrower (Penrith), David Gower, 25, prop (Wests Tigers)

OUT: Jarrod Saffy (Melbourne Rebels - Super Rugby), Beau Henry (Newcastle Knights), Neville Costigan (Newcastle Knights), Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa (North Queensland Cowboys), Jeremy Smith (Cronulla), Michael Lett (Canterbury-Bankstown), Luke Priddis (Retired), Ricky Thorby (North Queensland Cowboys), Junior Paulo (Penrith).

Why they can win it: Have clearly been the most consistent and well-coached team of the past two seasons and showing little sign of slipping in 2011. Already collected a heap of silverware, winning the Charity Shield and World Club Challenge. Half Ben Hornby and centre Matt Cooper both have one big season left in them, while Darius Boyd, Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale and Jamie Soward are getting better and better. Mark Gasnier has the benefit of a full NRL offseason, adding yet another dimesnion to their attack. Up front, Michael Weyman will shoulder the load, along with the likes Dan Hunt and Ben Creagh.

Why they can’t: Recent history tells us repeating as premiers is impossible. EVERYONE will be up to knock off the Dragons, making for a testing season. The losses of Jeremy Smith and Neville Costigan cast questions over the Dragons ability to handle the rough-and-tumble in the middle of the park. There’s also the uncertainty over the small matter of where Wayne Bennett might be coaching next season.

Prediction: 2^nd

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Home Ground: ANZ Stadium

Coach: John Lang

Premierships: 20 (1908, 1909, 1914, 1918, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971)

2010 finish: 9th

First five rounds: Roosters (a), Bulldogs (h), Eels (a), Sea Eagles (h), Wests (a)

IN: George Burgess, 18, prop (Bradford Bulls), Greg Inglis, 23, centre (Melbourne Storm).

OUT: Colin Best (Cronulla), Luke Capewell (Gold Coast Titans), Jaiman Lowe (Melbourne Storm), Beau Champion (Melbourne Storm).

Why they can win it: Amazing pack. Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi, Sam Burgess, David Taylor, Ben Lowe, Scott Geddes, Ben Ross and Eddy Pettybourne – all named in the round one side – are as imposing a forward pack as any going around. If they stay fit, healthy and motivated, they could lay the platform for many a Bunnies’ victory – even the end of the 30-year premiership drought.

Why they can’t: For every tick in the forwards column, there’s a question mark in the backs. Sutton at his best is an awesome pivot, but halves partner Sandow goes missing too often. Wesser is too small and too old. Inglis, the unquestioned headline act, had a horror offseason. Souths were the dumbest team in the comp last year, shooting themselves in the foot when said foot was on the opposition’s throat.

Prediction: 8th