NRL cool on Flanagan return as Bennett backs 'real deal' Young
Adam Pengilly and
Adrian Proszenko
August 14, 2020 — 7.12pm
The NRL is prepared to block any push for Shane Flanagan's head-coaching ban to be lifted as super coach Wayne Bennett provided a glowing endorsement of Dean Young, claiming he is the "real deal", as the Dragons search for a new coach.
A day after St George Illawarra chairman Andrew Gordon said the club would seek clarity from the NRL over Flanagan's registration, league sources were adamant on Friday there was little appetite to allow him to apply for head-coaching positions next year.
Paul McGregor coached his last game for the Dragons against the Eels at Bankwest Stadium on Friday night, with the club's board to form a committee to find his replacement.
While Flanagan has not yet asked NRL officials about his status for next year - he is unable to return as a head coach until 2022 for breaching the conditions of a suspension after Cronulla's peptides scandal - his current employer is keen for guidance. The Dragons probably won't get the answer they want.
But they would have liked what they heard from the game's most successful coach Bennett, who leant on Young as one of the Dragons' most influential players when they broke their title drought in 2010.
Privately, Flanagan has been pushing the claims of his fellow assistant Young, who will take charge of the Dragons for the final six games of the season. Flanagan has worked alongside Young this year and has also been pivotal in Tonga's ascent recently in the international game.
Shane Flanagan is unlikely to return early from his NRL coaching ban.Credit:Nick Moir
"He is respected because he is the real deal," Bennett said. "He has great empathy and he stands for something."
Young's father Craig has excused himself from the St George Illawarra board until they appoint a new coach.
Bennett remains close with many of the players from his premiership-winning Dragons side, bringing Young's former teammate Ben Hornby onto South Sydney's coaching staff this year.
Asked about Young's suitability for the job, Gordon said: "The club will welcome him to step up and show what his capabilities are, as hard as it is to come in at this stage of the season. We are absolutely looking forward to letting him demonstrate his capabilities.
"We will also see who comes out of the woodwork. People may put their hand up and we will take it from there. We will take advantage of the time we have to come to the right decision after looking at the available pool of coaching talent."
Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon has already ruled himself out, agreeing to honour a deal with chairman Nick Politis and coach Trent Robinson to see out his contract until the end of 2021.
Meanwhile, the Dragons have officially shut the door on a return for Gareth Widdop after securing the services of one of the game’s most promising playmakers.
The Dragons have re-signed local product Junior Amone to a three-year deal that will result in him being guaranteed a top-30 spot no later than 2022.
Several rival clubs were jockeying for Amone’s signature, but the 18-year-old opted to stay put.
Amone is related to South Sydney prop Tom Amone and Manly’s Fainu brothers, Manase and Sione.
The Illawarra junior steered the club’s SG Ball side to last year’s premiership playing alongside halves partner Jayden Sullivan, another gun junior who could be in contention for an NRL debut in coming weeks.
The opportunity to potentially play first grade alongside Sullivan, who is also signed to the Red V long term, was too enticing for the five-eighth to turn down.
The Dragons want to focus on developing their own talent and are banking on late bloomer Adam Clune, who recently recommitted to the Red V, and the young playmakers to steer the club back to the top.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nr...tt-backs-real-deal-young-20200814-p55lru.html
