How Clint Gutherson can unlock the Dragons in 2025

St George Illawarra Dragons assistant coach Dean Young believes incoming fullback Clint Gutherson could be the missing piece of the puzzle in 2025.

The Dragons were the surprise of the 2024 season after narrowly missing finals despite many tipping them to take out the wooden spoon.

Whilst Young conceded that the Dragons let a finals berth slip in the final few rounds of the 2024 season, he is bullish about the inclusion of Gutherson to the roster.

The 30-year-old has joined the Dragons on a three-year deal after spending almost a decade with the Parramatta Eels.

“I’d say we were inconsistent,” Young told SEN 1170 on the 2024 season.

“Our best was pretty good and our worst was poor and that was clear for everyone to see. We need to bridge the gap between our best and worst performances.

“All the new recruits have brought something different (but) obviously 'Gutho' (is a standout). You can hear him and you can see him.

“He’s a great communicator out of the back and he knows what he wants from his teammates. He demands it from them.

“We want to be a consistent football team.”

Young will also be assistant coach for NSW in 2025 and will work under coach Laurie Daley as the Blues look to retain the State of Origin shield next season.

Young is confident that Daley can continue the success that outgoing NSW coach Michael Maguire brought in 2024.

“I grew up like a lot of people in NSW watching Origin and I had a dream of playing for the Blues,” Young added.

“I was lucky to achieve that and now to get that opportunity as a coach; I am just very grateful to Laurie Daley.

“I worked with Laurie back in 2020 as an assistant coach to the Indigenous All-Stars and I worked closely with him there.

“Whatever Laurie asks me to do, I will do it to the best of my ability. I have to make sure we have the team as best prepared as possible.

“I am just super excited.”

The Dragons face the Bulldogs in Round 1 to kick off their 2025 campaign.