By Danny Weidler
June 4, 2023 — 5.45amWith Jason Ryles having knocked back St George Illawarra to sign with the Storm, influential Dragons are trying to soften the anti-Shane Flanagan view of board powerbroker Peter Doust.
There is a charm offensive under way so that Doust will at least consider Flanagan. It is unclear exactly why Doust has been so strongly opposed to Flanagan, but now the Dragons have missed out on No.1 choice Ryles, it is believed that Flanagan has growing support from sections of the club.
The Dragons are nervous about a rookie coach after saying Ryles was overwhelmed by the enormity of coaching a club as big as the Red V.
Dean Young has strong support from the St George side of the board, but the club is reeling after being snubbed by a man who hasn’t coached a top-grade game. The board needs to be unanimous in its selection of a coach and for weeks it has been suggested that Doust does not want Flanagan near the club. Neither Doust nor the Dragons have denied this and I have tried to get in touch with Doust to discuss his views on the matter.
The Dragons are nervous about a rookie coach after saying Ryles was
Flanagan is not everybody’s cup of tea, but he has a record of success at Cronulla, where he helped transform a club that was decimated by the peptide scandal into a premiership-winning outfit.
Flanagan is abrasive, but he can rebuild a club quickly. He also has the strong support of News Corp, with his name being pushed to clubs by some of its employees.
Flanagan also has a significant role with Fox Sports, as well as being Anthony Seibold’s assistant at Manly. During the peptide scandal at Cronulla, News Corp targeted Flanagan, but it appears it has forgiven him for his role in that affair. He was then banned for breaching the conditions of that suspension by having contact with people at Cronulla, so he comes with baggage
Botton line from me is NO under any circumstances Dean Young . Like him or not Flanagan has won a premiership for a club that was probably nearly as bigger basket case as us.