St George Illawarra CEO backs team to rebound after disappointing NRL season

The side will need to improve considerably on a disastrous 2021 to achieve that goal. With one game to play, the Dragons can finish as low as 13^th on the ladder.

While there will be no formal review at the end of the season, coach Anthony Griffin will sit down with football manager Ben Haran to analyse what went wrong.

Read more: Kai Sakakibara inspired to pursue Paralympic dream

The sheer volume of suspensions and injuries will come under the microscope, while the possibility remains for changes to personnel in the football department.

The season started in positive fashion, the Dragons winning four of their first five. From there, however, things went pear-shaped.

The downward slide accelerated following Paul Vaughan's illegal BBQ, club officials conceding it had a negative impact on the team.

St George Illawarra have failed to win a match since the infamous gathering took place the day after a round 16 victory over the Warriors.

Webb acknowledged this year's results have been unacceptable and said the club is determined to learn the lessons from a tough season.

"We're definitely looking to improve on this year," Webb said. "We've got to make sure we learn from everything that happened in 2021.

"We can't let this year hold us back, we have to learn from it and come back better in 2022. We have the players and staff to do that.

"It won't happen by accident. We're going to have to plan well and challenge each other to make sure we get the results this club deserves."

One of the biggest decisions Webb will have to make in the coming months surrounds Griffin's tenure. The coach is contracted to the end of 2022, with a club option for the following season.

The mentor's future has not been discussed, with no timeframe on when a call will be made on 2023.

While results have been below par, a number of positives have emerged.

The club remains in a healthy financial position despite the negative impacts of coronavirus.

On the field, the roster in 2022 is likely to look considerably different to this year.

Multiple senior players are departing, with Matt Dufty and Corey Norman shown the door while Cameron McInnes will join the Sharks.

Moving to Wollongong are the likes of Francis Molo, Jaydn Su'A, George Burgess and Moses Mbye.

The Dragons have five roster spots open for 2022, with officials eager to remain active in the player market.

Recruitment is an area the club has attracted criticism in recent months, however officials are confident the new signings will contribute to improved results.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect for St George Illawarra is the crop of juniors breaking into the top flight.

The performances of Jayden Sullivan, Talatau Amone and Tyrell Sloan has been one of few positives in recent weeks, with the group expected to shine in the coming years.

The trio will have another opportunity to impress in Saturday's clash with South Sydney, with Sullivan again named at hooker.

The Dragons will be without Zac Lomax, the centre fracturing his thumb for the second time this year. Gerard Beale is his replacement.

In the only other change, Poasa Faamausili has been promoted to the bench, in place of Jackson Ford.

The Illawarra Mercury news app is now officially live on both iOS and Android devices. It is available for download in the Apple Store and Google Play.