Last week I outlined how the Brisbane Broncos have quickly emerged as a team that could make huge leaps in 2015, this week it's the St George Illawara Dragons. They've been a team that has been mentioned in the same conversation as nearly every player who has been looking to swap clubs, as well as having their name consistently in the news as they off load some of their best. While they won't make as big a jump as the Broncos, the Dragons could be the low key team to watch next season.

I can understand where people may scoff at the idea of improvement in Wollongong, on the surface loosing rep players such as Brett Morris, Gerrard Beale and Kyle Stanley may look like a recipe for disaster. First of all, Morris is by far the biggest loss but as a winger, his impact on the team's performance was limited. There wasn't a whole lot the Dragons could do here either, he wants to play with Josh Morris and the fact that he would have definitely been on good money makes it a smart decision. Wingers are probably the easiest players to replace so don't stress.

As for Beale and Stanley, well they couldn't even nail a position for the Dragons. Beale's price tag along with not being able to be a starting centre, or fullback or wing means he's dead weight while Stanley ... honestly you tell me Kyle Stanley's best position. He played halfback for Samoa and much of his game time last season came off the bench at dummy half. See ya.

All those players are replaceable because they aren't play makers or key men. Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop are the key men and they're spending their first off season together, so expect them to be much better in 2015. They'll be boosted by the arrival of veteran hooker Heath L'estrange who isn't amazing but did a good job when called upon for the Roosters last season. They also have Josh Dugan who should play fullback, surely! Having a spine of Dugan, Widdop and Marshall is the perfect place to start.

The decision to fill the roster with role players is wise, it's the trendy thing to do as well. Dane Nielsen may not have done too well with the Warriors, but I'm picking him to go well with the Dragons. He'll have a simple job and will relish having things outlined for him, with dominant personalities throughout the back line. At the Warriors, it felt like Nielsen was expected to be something he wasn't whereas the Dragons know exactly what they're getting and he'll thrive with a simple role. Also keep an eye on fellow outside back signing Eto Nabuli, he's bee a gun for the Panthers NSW Cup side.

I'd definitely keep an eye on this Dragons pack as well. First, their signings - George Rose, a decent prop good for 20-30 minutes work, Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard will offer a bit of punch on the edges/at the least some depth and Rulon Nutira sounds like a big boy who could do some damage. The key is Trent Merrin, with whispers continuing to do the rounds that he wants out. They need to keep him as he's their best forward and they need to get the best out of Ben Creagh. But in Jack de Belin and Tyson Frizell they have some impressive young forwards while Leeson Ah Mau is coming off an awesome Four Nations campaign.

The Dragons have been front and centre of the player market and while they haven't quite done want the Broncos have done, they have done a good job. Gone is the excess while the spine remains in tact, it might take a while for their younger guys to really start to make an impact but if healthy, don't be surprised to see them make the top 8.