Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has hinted he will make wholesale changes for Friday’s must-win clash against Manly ahead of a critical month for both himself and the club.
The Dragons were booed by their own fans after a 32-0 defeat to North Queensland condemned them to an 0-5 start to the season – and a ninth straight defeat if you factor in the four losses with which they finished last season.
Flanagan had conceded before the game that he needed to turn things around quickly to ease pressure on both the club and his own position.
Club sources who requested anonymity in order to speak freely told this masthead on Sunday that Flanagan’s future has been informally discussed with the embattled coach, though no ultimatum or deadline to turn the team around has been set.
No formal talks have been held around a potential coaching change by either of the Dragons’ shareholders, WIN Corporation or St George District RLFC.
The club has also told player agents that all player contract talks – including well-advanced negotiations with co-captain Damien Cook – have been parked given uncertainty around Flanagan’s future and a roster in transition.
As well as Cook’s one-year extension being put on hold, further talks with off-contract players including Luciano Leilua, Tyrell Sloan, Christian Tuipulotu and Blake Lawrie have been paused for now.
Flanagan signed a two-year extension last August that will take him through until the end of 2028. That decision has come under fire, with the Dragons having won one game from 10 since.
The veteran coach insisted on Sunday morning he remained the best man to lead the club, but the next few weeks loom as crucial. The Dragons host a resurgent Manly on Friday, followed by games against traditional rivals South Sydney and the Roosters.
The Dragons have their first bye following the Anzac Day clash with the Tricolours, and a continuation of their losing run through those fixtures would leave Flanagan’s position near untenable.
“One hundred per cent I am the best option, but I’m not worried about me,” Flanagan told this masthead. “I’m just getting on with life and chasing a win.
“I’ve done this 20 years, I know I can get it done, it’s just difficult at the moment. The hard work isn’t translating to the field.
“If I’m looking over my shoulder or worried about my job, I shouldn’t be doing it. We just haven’t been good enough. The players need to stand up … There will be changes for Friday.”
Flanagan will have to make do without co captain Clint Gutherson, who will miss next week with a hamstring strain. There is also no guarantee Daniel Atkinson will remain at halfback after a lukewarm start to his career at the Red V.
Flanagan confirmed Gutherson would have scans on the hamstring injury he suffered against the Cowboys. He is likely to miss the Sea Eagles clash.
Tyrell Sloan is one option, while Flanagan said he was aware of weekend reports linking the club with Dolphins fullback Trai Fuller but was unsure where the negotiations were at.
Fuller, 28, is free to leave the Dolphins if he can secure a starting berth elsewhere or a contract worth more money. The father of two is expecting a third child, and is only prepared to move if the Dragons table a deal for 2027, which they are yet to do.
The Dolphins have indicated they are keen to retain Fuller for 2027. There has even been talk about Fuller taking up a short-term loan with the Dragons and returning to Redcliffe once the Origin series commences to cover for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Dragons winger David Fale was charged by the NRL match review committee with dangerous contact on Sunday – he accidentally kicked Murray Taulagi in the head – and faces a one-match ban.
It remains to be seen if Kade Reed, a young playmaker who is creative but still on the smaller side, will be fast-tracked to first grade, with Flanagan confirming last week he did not want to play the local junior before he was ready.
