The St George Illawarra Dragons are breathing a sigh of relief as their star player, Valentine Holmes, is confirmed fit for the season opener, despite a recent social media scare.
A video clip that sent shockwaves through the fan base...
A brief video clip emerged on social media, causing a stir among fans as it appeared to show Holmes struggling with a hamstring injury. This sparked immediate concerns, especially since Holmes was not listed for the pre-season game against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Was this a sign of a long-term injury? But here's the twist: the Dragons clarified that the video was an old clip, and Holmes is indeed on the mend.
The club assured fans that Holmes is recovering well from the hamstring issue he sustained in early January. In a strategic move, they opted to rest him for the pre-season game, prioritizing his health for the upcoming season.
Holmes' pivotal role in the team's strategy...
As one of the Dragons' most seasoned players, Holmes is set to be a linchpin in the team's 2026 campaign. With an injury-ridden 2025 season that saw the Dragons struggle, Holmes' presence is crucial to their revival. The team aims to bounce back from a challenging year, where they finished in the bottom four despite some notable wins.
Holmes is expected to start alongside Moses Suli in the centre, while the wingers remain a point of contention. New signings David Fale and Setu Tu will battle it out with Christian Tuipulotu and Tyrell Sloan for those positions. Clint Gutherson will resume his role at fullback.
The Dragons' season kicks off on March 1st (Australian time) against the Canterbury Bulldogs in Las Vegas, followed by their Australian debut on March 14th against the Melbourne Storm in Wollongong.
But the question remains: will Holmes' recovery be enough to propel the Dragons up the table? And what's your take on the team's chances this season?
