Dragons Unveil Squad for Pre-Season Challenge with Mix of Experience and Youth
The St George Illawarra Dragons have officially named their squad for the highly anticipated opening round of the NRL's Pre-Season Challenge, setting the stage for their upcoming campaign. Head coach Shane Flanagan has selected a blend of returning stars, fresh recruits, and promising young talent for the clash against the Newcastle Knights at Jubilee Stadium this Saturday night.
Returning Twins Set to Make Their Comeback
In a significant boost for the team, Thirroul Butchers juniors Ryan and Toby Couchman are set to return from injuries that sidelined them for much of the 2025 NRL season. Ryan Couchman has been named to start in the second row, marking his first outing for the Dragons in nearly twelve months. His twin brother Toby will line up in the forward pack, providing much-needed strength and experience up front.
This return is a pivotal moment for both players, who are eager to make an impact after a challenging year of recovery.
New Faces and Key Players in the Lineup
Off-season recruits David Fale and Setu Tu have earned their spots in the backline, showcasing the Dragons' strategic additions to bolster their attacking options. Meanwhile, returning prop Josh Kerr will anchor the forward line in the No.8 jersey, adding stability and power to the pack.
The halves will feature Lyhkan King-Togia and Kade Reed, who were teammates in the SG Ball competition just two years ago, highlighting the club's focus on developing young talent. Tyrell Sloan has been named at fullback, rounding out a dynamic backline combination.
Extended Bench Features Promising Youngsters
An extended bench includes several up-and-coming players who are poised to make their mark. Among them are Tyler Peckham-Harris, Charlie Heidke, Hayden Buchanan, and Nick Tsougranis, all of whom represent the next generation of Dragons talent. This depth provides Flanagan with flexibility and options as the team prepares for a rigorous pre-season schedule.
Pre-Season Schedule and Vegas Build-Up
The February 7 showdown against the Knights is the first of two Pre-Season Challenge Cup games for the Dragons. They will follow this with a match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at WIN Stadium on February 14. These games serve as crucial preparation before the team flies out to Las Vegas for their round one fixture against the Canterbury Bulldogs in the 2026 NRL season.
The Vegas triple-header at Allegiant Stadium promises to be a spectacular event, kicking off with a Super League clash between Hull KR and Leeds at 4pm (11am AEDT). This will be followed by two NRL matches: the Cowboys versus the Knights, and the Bulldogs versus the Dragons. Australian fans can catch all the action live on Fox Sports, with Channel 9 broadcasting the Bulldogs versus Dragons clash on Sunday, March 1 at 3.30pm AEDT.
This pre-season period is critical for the Dragons as they fine-tune their strategies and build cohesion ahead of what promises to be an exciting and competitive season.
