Dragons coach Steve Price with Josh Drinkwater.
STEVE PRICE
His start to the 2013 season is absolutely crucial. Price guided the Dragons to the cusp of a finals berth in 2012 but close won't be good enough this time round.
It's understood Dragons management are well advanced in negotiations with Melbourne mastermind Craig Bellamy, who is regarded by many as the best coach in the NRL.
Even if the Bellamy deal does fall through, Price may only have six to eight weeks to show his wares as a long-term NRL coach.
HALFBACK
The Dragons halfback conundrum is plain and simple - the side has a legitimate veteran and a legitimate rookie yet to prove himself, but is without a real mainstayer.
Unless Price takes a punt on Manly recruit Josh Drinkwater early in the season, the side could find itself short of genuine options if injury strikes. Nathan Fien is also off-contract at the end of the 2013 season.
JAMIE SOWARD
2013 is an immensely important time for Soward. His contract at the Dragons is up in the air beyond the end of this year and, following mixed form last season, his career may be too. A prodigious talent during the Dragons' 2010 premiership campaign, Soward will need to be firing from the get-go.
FULLBACK
Gerard Beale is being looked to as the Dragons' saviour for 2013 after the club failed to regenerate Darius Boyd's magic from fullback in 2012.
The reality is, the bulk of Beale's experience at former club Brisbane and during Test appearances for New Zealand is on the wing.