As critical eyes zoned in on the play-makers at the St. George Illawara Dragons last season, from a #KiwiNRL perspective it was a struggle to support the Dragons as it was our lads through the middle who didn't do enough to lay a platform. Samoan international Leeson Ah Mau was coming off a strong season and Russell Packer was making his return to the NRL, yet both were unable to make strong contributions which is in contrast to the likes of Taane Milne and Siliva Havili who we should all be fairly excited about.

I've covered Milne and Havili in some depth, so go check out those.

How Ah Mau and Packer bounce back from a weak season will be crucial to the Dragons chances of making the Finals this season. Ah Mau's best work comes with some nifty footwork and skill, you are more likely to see Ah Mau slide between defenders and earn a quick play-the-ball or create an attacking movement than you are to see Ah Mau run over the top of someone.

That's what Packer does and the rugged nature of Packer's play - along with Ah Mau's subtle funk - could give the Dragons the go-forward that they need. Packer had his moments last season but just wasn't consistent enough and while the NRL moves towards huge blokes or super mobile forwards, Packer is neither so he needs to make up for that with his aggression or enthusiasm.

The reality is that Havili, Milne, Patrick Herbert and even the Gypsy (Jason Nightingale) are far more exciting as youngsters on the rise or an older battler chasing one last World Cup. This will mean that I'll be spending more time worrying about these blokes than I will about Packer and Ah Mau; I'm certain that if the Dragons are 5-3 or 4-4 to start the season that Packer and Ah Mau will be providing 100m/per-game and making the Dragons forward pack a tough assignment for their opponents.

If that's not the case, then the Dragons will struggle even with their exciting young talent out in their backline. 

Gypsy's work on the Dragon's wing is always top-shelf and while we should expect nothing less from him again this season, there's competition for his wing spot at the Dragons and then with the Kiwis later in the year as well. I'm backing Nightingale to be at his best and I reckon we are going to see that even though you might be a gun youngster, there's immense value in a quality veteran like Gypsy.

One gun youngster who will put pressure on Gypsy is Patrick Herbert and the former Saint Kentigern College rugby joker has swiftly risen through the Dragons' ranks. Herbert could be an option at centre long-term, however he will get his start on the wing and there's a strong chance that he leaps ahead of Kalifa Faifai Loa on the Dragons' wing depth chart. 

Faifai Loa should get an early shot to establish himself as a starting winger, Herbert will be waiting for his chance though and when he gets that chance, expect him to do what Milne did last season in snapping up that chance with vigour.