Coach Flanno

[56to66]

Luai was great for Samoa in the WC. He would easily be our best player & comes from a winning system. It baffles me that people don't want him, it's pretty silly tbh. He does great things for the community too, so I'm not worried about the culture. Especially considering our culture at the moment...

B Hunt would probably enjoy his company and do a complete back flip on attitude.

 

[offiah]

He’s loved out there apparently. Might even be able to convince a few panthers to follow him over. Wouldn’t that be great to have someone able to help with recruiting

 

[hewi]

NRL 2024: Dragons coach Shane Flanagan insists St George-Illawarra won’t ‘panic buy’ to fix halves crisis​

While fans and commentators have voiced their concerns over the Dragons’ halves depth after the loss of Junior Amone, new coach Shane Flanagan has called for calm.
David RiccioExclusive

@DaveRic1

2 min read
October 22, 2023 - 6:00AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
https://archive.md/JPZMl#share-tools

NRL: The Haka from New Zealand side was headlined from two of the league's most damaging props facing off in a gruelling stare down.
Shane Flanagan says he won’t be pressured into “panic buying” in reaction to the Dragons standing down starting half Junior Amone.
Amid concern from fans and commentators over the depth of options in the halves, the St George-Illawarra coach offered a measured response when discussing his 2024 roster.
“I’ve stated previously that we’ll be one of the more active clubs talking to players as soon as we hit November 1,’’ Flanagan said. “We’ve (management) worked hard to get our salary cap into a position where we can be active and that remains the plan.
“That’s not to say we won’t be in the market to sign a player for 2024.
“But what I’m not going to do is panic buy in reaction to ifs and maybes or uncertainty over a player.’’

Shane Flanagan insists the Dragons won’t panic as their halves depth took a massive hit after losing five-eighth Junior Amone. Picture: Julian Andrews
Out of respect to the judicial process, Flanagan wouldn’t discuss anything to do with Amone’s court case.
Amone was found guilty last Tuesday of arming himself with a hammer and chasing a tradesman off a roof.
Amone, who had pleaded not guilty to assault charges, will be sentenced on December 6 and faces a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.
The shock verdict has led many to question the Dragons’ capabilities in 2024’ and in-turn led to calls for Saints to make a multimillion-dollar play for Panthers premiership-winning playmaker Jarome Luai.
The Amone situation is viewed as a disaster by some fans, particularly in the wake of half Jayden Sullivan being released to the Wests Tigers.

Junior Amone was stood down after being found guilty of chasing a tradie off a roof as he wielded a hammer. Picture: NCA Newswire
The most obvious halves pairing for 2024 is veteran Ben Hunt and new recruit Kyle Flanagan, with Jack Bird a third option to play at five-eighth.
Flanagan said he wouldn’t be drawn on potential targets.
However, he confirmed he’s been inundated with calls from managers with halves on their books, but said it was important the club remained steadfast on the long-term vision.

Who Dragons could target to fix halves hole​

Tim Dearden
There is a feeling within the game that the Queensland Origin and Cowboys playmaker is set to reject a multi-million dollar offer to extend his stay in North Queensland by taking himself to the open market on November 1. Still just 22, Dearden would be a plumb signing for Saints in 2025.
Jarome Luai
Saints could easily trump Penrith financially to try and lure the three-time premiership winner in 2025. The Panthers are going to struggle to go beyond $800,000. The Dragons could get to $1.2 million need be.
Connor Tracey
The Sharks utility is a former Australian Schoolboys half who was also previously coached by Shane Flanagan at Cronulla. The Dragons want Tracey as a potential fullback, but suddenly he could also solve a problem for them in the halves.
Tyson Gamble
The livewire Newcastle half (pictured) is off-contract at the end of next season and is yet to re-sign, suggesting he will go to the open market on November 1. What the Dragons could offer Gamble is what the Knights may struggle to; the certainty of being a first-choice half with Jackson Hastings, Jack Cogger and Phoenix Crossland all Knights options as well in the No.6 and No.7 jumpers.
Matt Moylan
Shane Flanagan originally recruited the veteran five-eighth from Penrith and enjoyed success together with Moylan helping drive Cronulla to the 2018 preliminary final. Without a contract beyond 2024, Moylan could potentially secure a release from the Sharks and add attacking ability and experience to the Dragons next season.

“I want to take the club on a certain trajectory and to do that, it can’t be achieved by reactive buying,’’ Flanagan said. “There’s a strategy and patience involved in that process.
“We’ve seen what can happen at a number of clubs, including ours, when you buy a player, and keeping in mind managers never want to give their player to you for one-year, it’s always two or three years … so it can hurt you in the long run if you buy a player long-term just to fix a short-term problem.
“As I said, we’re working 24/7 on our current roster, while also knowing every player available from November 1. We’re not rushing anything.’’
Flanagan‘s first day back as a head coach will be on November 6.
“I honestly can’t wait,’’ Flanagan said. “That first day back will be a lot of our promising youth players before the majority of our NRL roster begins on November 13.”


Reactive buying , we know how that works out, thank Norey Corman.

 

[jak]

View attachment 81019

NRL 2024: Dragons coach Shane Flanagan insists St George-Illawarra won’t ‘panic buy’ to fix halves crisis​

While fans and commentators have voiced their concerns over the Dragons’ halves depth after the loss of Junior Amone, new coach Shane Flanagan has called for calm.
David RiccioExclusive
@DaveRic1

2 min read
October 22, 2023 - 6:00AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
https://archive.md/JPZMl#share-tools

NRL: The Haka from New Zealand side was headlined from two of the league's most damaging props facing off in a gruelling stare down.
Shane Flanagan says he won’t be pressured into “panic buying” in reaction to the Dragons standing down starting half Junior Amone.
Amid concern from fans and commentators over the depth of options in the halves, the St George-Illawarra coach offered a measured response when discussing his 2024 roster.
“I’ve stated previously that we’ll be one of the more active clubs talking to players as soon as we hit November 1,’’ Flanagan said. “We’ve (management) worked hard to get our salary cap into a position where we can be active and that remains the plan.
“That’s not to say we won’t be in the market to sign a player for 2024.
“But what I’m not going to do is panic buy in reaction to ifs and maybes or uncertainty over a player.’’

Shane Flanagan insists the Dragons won’t panic as their halves depth took a massive hit after losing five-eighth Junior Amone. Picture: Julian Andrews
Out of respect to the judicial process, Flanagan wouldn’t discuss anything to do with Amone’s court case.
Amone was found guilty last Tuesday of arming himself with a hammer and chasing a tradesman off a roof.
Amone, who had pleaded not guilty to assault charges, will be sentenced on December 6 and faces a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.
The shock verdict has led many to question the Dragons’ capabilities in 2024’ and in-turn led to calls for Saints to make a multimillion-dollar play for Panthers premiership-winning playmaker Jarome Luai.
The Amone situation is viewed as a disaster by some fans, particularly in the wake of half Jayden Sullivan being released to the Wests Tigers.

Junior Amone was stood down after being found guilty of chasing a tradie off a roof as he wielded a hammer. Picture: NCA Newswire
The most obvious halves pairing for 2024 is veteran Ben Hunt and new recruit Kyle Flanagan, with Jack Bird a third option to play at five-eighth.
Flanagan said he wouldn’t be drawn on potential targets.
However, he confirmed he’s been inundated with calls from managers with halves on their books, but said it was important the club remained steadfast on the long-term vision.

Who Dragons could target to fix halves hole​

Tim Dearden
There is a feeling within the game that the Queensland Origin and Cowboys playmaker is set to reject a multi-million dollar offer to extend his stay in North Queensland by taking himself to the open market on November 1. Still just 22, Dearden would be a plumb signing for Saints in 2025.
Jarome Luai
Saints could easily trump Penrith financially to try and lure the three-time premiership winner in 2025. The Panthers are going to struggle to go beyond $800,000. The Dragons could get to $1.2 million need be.
Connor Tracey
The Sharks utility is a former Australian Schoolboys half who was also previously coached by Shane Flanagan at Cronulla. The Dragons want Tracey as a potential fullback, but suddenly he could also solve a problem for them in the halves.
Tyson Gamble
The livewire Newcastle half (pictured) is off-contract at the end of next season and is yet to re-sign, suggesting he will go to the open market on November 1. What the Dragons could offer Gamble is what the Knights may struggle to; the certainty of being a first-choice half with Jackson Hastings, Jack Cogger and Phoenix Crossland all Knights options as well in the No.6 and No.7 jumpers.
Matt Moylan
Shane Flanagan originally recruited the veteran five-eighth from Penrith and enjoyed success together with Moylan helping drive Cronulla to the 2018 preliminary final. Without a contract beyond 2024, Moylan could potentially secure a release from the Sharks and add attacking ability and experience to the Dragons next season.

“I want to take the club on a certain trajectory and to do that, it can’t be achieved by reactive buying,’’ Flanagan said. “There’s a strategy and patience involved in that process.
“We’ve seen what can happen at a number of clubs, including ours, when you buy a player, and keeping in mind managers never want to give their player to you for one-year, it’s always two or three years … so it can hurt you in the long run if you buy a player long-term just to fix a short-term problem.
“As I said, we’re working 24/7 on our current roster, while also knowing every player available from November 1. We’re not rushing anything.’’
Flanagan‘s first day back as a head coach will be on November 6.
“I honestly can’t wait,’’ Flanagan said. “That first day back will be a lot of our promising youth players before the majority of our NRL roster begins on November 13.”


Reactive buying , we know how that works out, thank Norey Corman.

appreciate the post mate.

 

[VodkaSaint]

A refreshing read

 

[Illusion]

Flanno dropped the ball by letting/pushing sullivan out before the amone court decision. If he's fair dinkim about the dragons culture then he'll either push Amone out of the club or play him in reserve grade. A line needs to be drawn, otherwise our culture will continue to be in the shitter. Don't even get me started on the horrible handling & media play out of the Hunt situation. It's been disastrous...

Plus strip Hunt of the captaincy , how can players around him play for a guy that wants out ...... Second drop ball ......

 

[Saints Forever]

So refreshing to hear Flanno won’t sign every “Tom, Dick or Harry”.

At a pinch Paul Turner could play 1 or 6 in 2024. We are yet to really see what he can do.

He will sift through the juniors and identify who he will fast track.

No team wants Hunt so I think Hunt’s attitude will miraculously change when he joins the team after rep duties.

I could see Flanno pinching 1 or 2 good players from Cronulla.

The important thing is he will change the perception that we are panic buyers.

 

[BLM01]

So refreshing to hear Flanno won’t sign every “Tom, Dick or Harry”.

At a pinch Paul Turner could play 1 or 6 in 2024. We are yet to really see what he can do.

He will sift through the juniors and identify who he will fast track.

No team wants Hunt so I think Hunt’s attitude will miraculously change when he joins the team after rep duties.

I could see Flanno pinching 1 or 2 good players from Cronulla.

The important thing is he will change the perception that we are panic buyers.

But we should sign every
Tom Deardon
Dick Luai
Harry Grant IMO
But seriously the half options out there are good except for Moylan for 2025
I still get the feeling that potentially Amone won’t get jail time (could be wrong) and will be playing later at some stage in 2024 after a lengthy NRlL suspension

 

[Gippsy]

A refreshing read

Yep, every time he speaks he has a quiet confidence about him. A nice change from the last few coaches.

 

[since77]

Yep, every time he speaks he has a quiet confidence about him. A nice change from the last few coaches.

Well to be fair, I think the last few coaches had confidence too. The problem was that they were complete f$cking morons.

 

[steerlerbab]

Whether we sign a half or we do not sign one, I applaud Flano for his stance that he won't be forced into panic buying. For the last few years there was a lot of "saints are interested" rumours! It is time the negotiations be done behind back doors. Once the dotted line is signed then make the announcement. Finally, is Luai worth 1.2M? I do not think so/ Why Dragons should throw the cheque book at him. He looks good because he plays second fiddle to cleary who by the way has signed for 1.1M per year with Penrith.

 

[56to66]

Luai 1.1 to 1.2 mil or 2 awesome middles, any middles available come November?
If there are no great props or 2nd rowers, I would sign Luai for the future as BHunt career is coming to an end, Luai value is not just pure football talent it also comes with the experience of being in system that knows how to win.
Panic buying is when there's shit on the market and just buy for the sake of pretending you're filling some spots with experience, like those players Anthony Griffin bought over the last few years.

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

So every other team is bolstering their rosters by adding new players. Meanwhile the dragons big signing so far is a fringe first grader from Souffs. We had one of the weakest rosters last year and we aren’t signing anyone of note just yet. Ok…I have to admit. I’m panicking

 

[Parko1310]

I think it's probably likely we get Connor Tracey, for fullback that is. Flanno has a plan, and that plan is to play Tracey at fullback I believe. At least to begin next year. He will trust his son to do an admirable job in the halves alongside Hunt, and then I think he may add a little depth somewhere with Cust or someone like that as a backup.

Remembering we have no halves in our supplementary list, so if a half goes down, we probably have to move Tracey to 6 and promote Sloan to 1. Kade Reed can play from round 10 but he is not ready. Extremely talented from the limited footage I've seen of him, but I'm not sure he's even 18 yet and he's quite small right now. He'd get torn apart in the top grade. So, I'd be shocked not to see another half come in along with Tracey.

Then, I think we need to sign Dearden. I know the media want to throw around possible names and throw Luai, Dearden, etc all into the same basket as possible options. The reality is, only one of those two players, if either of them at all, will be options for Flanno. They are completely different styles of player, and there will be a certain way Shane wants to play, and he will go after who he needs to play that way. Dearden fits the bill for what we most need for mine. He'd be great next to Hunt given he's got some control about his game. As we know, Hunt isn't much of a game manager. Great player, but management is not his strong suit. Luai isn't the answer next to him for this reason, especially not for his price he'll command.

 

[Parko1310]

So every other team is bolstering their rosters by adding new players. Meanwhile the dragons big signing so far is a fringe first grader from Souffs. We had one of the weakest rosters last year and we aren’t signing anyone of note just yet. Ok…I have to admit. I’m panicking

Sele wasn't fringe first grade, he worked his way into the starting front row rotation. Souths wanted to keep him, they just couldn't match our offer as they've got a tight cap and wanted to keep players like Graham, Cook, Walker, Mitchell, Keaon. He's one of those players who if he's not playing, you'll notice he's not on the park. Souths will miss him next year. All Souths fans aren't happy about losing him, that should tell you something. By no means is he going to win you a comp on his own, but he's a very good signing.

 

[Biglance]

Agree about sele,

Also agree Dearden should be the one we go hard for 800 to 900 would be well spent there

 

[dragon thomo]

Sele is a very good front rower, I just hope we have a crack at Josh Curran as he has a real go. Billy Smith is still on the market. Now Papahausen maybe available. I believe Flannagan has his sights on players to recruit.

 

[Parko1310]

Sele is a very good front rower, I just hope we have a crack at Josh Curran as he has a real go. Billy Smith is still on the market. Now Papahausen maybe available. I believe Flannagan has his sights on players to recruit.

Curran would be great. Billy Smith has said in an interview he's re-signed with the roosters it's just not been announced yet for whatever reason

 

[qld redvee]

Curran would be great. Billy Smith has said in an interview he's re-signed with the roosters it's just not been announced yet for whatever reason

curran has apparantly had a talk to gus , wouldnt it be great to know what flanno is after so we dont speculate over every available player

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

Sele wasn't fringe first grade, he worked his way into the starting front row rotation. Souths wanted to keep him, they just couldn't match our offer as they've got a tight cap and wanted to keep players like Graham, Cook, Walker, Mitchell, Keaon. He's one of those players who if he's not playing, you'll notice he's not on the park. Souths will miss him next year. All Souths fans aren't happy about losing him, that should tell you something. By no means is he going to win you a comp on his own, but he's a very good signing.

Nope…this doesn’t make me feel better