The Dragons haven’t played finals football in a decade, but have installed Sam Elwin as their captain-coach for 2018.

At 22, Elwin becomes one of the youngest people to coach a Group Nine outfit.

With Glen Buttriss and Adrian Purtell coming back to the competition, Elwin expects it will be one of the toughest seasons in Group Nine.

However he is looking forward to challenge of trying to lift his junior club.

“It is obviously going to be very tough but hopefully we can give it a good crack and set ourselves up for a few years,” Elwin said.

“Time will tell but I am definitely looking forward to it.”

Playing finals is the biggest focus.

One aspect Elwin is looking to improve is the retention of the club’s juniors.

He is one of a long list of players who have left the club, but one of the few who have returned.

Elwin is hoping he will be able to inspire more juniors to stay with the club.

“We have had a bit of an age gap over the last few years where there wasn’t really much coming but now there is quite a lot of talent which I’m hoping to keep in town,” he said.

“Hopefully we can get a few players back home who have went away.”

Former coach Grant Boyd, along with forwards Chris Maher, Aka Matapo and fullback Jordyn Ballard won’t be in the red and white next year however Elwin has already been able to attract one new face to the club.

He’ll be joined by former teammate in France Yoan Veve.

The 21-year-old, who has links with Super League club Warrington, will play at halfback.

Elwin expects he will have a big impact.

“He’s a very crafty little halfback,” Elwin said.

“He will be very good.”

It is expected Veve’s arrival will push Elwin to five-eighth.

He’s also working on attracting some more former teammates from Avingon come out to play for Temora.