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The Dragons are top eight contenders
Seven rounds and the Dragons have won more games than they’ve lost. Who saw that coming? Not many we’re willing to bet (including us). The Dragons were near the top of the wooden spoon market before a ball was kicked this season on the back of finishing second last on the ladder in 2023. That seems a distant memory now. Barring the addition of a couple of savvy veterans, the Dragons team isn’t much different to the team they fielded last season. The difference now is that they are buying in and picking up what their new coach Shane Flanagan is putting down. The premiership winning coach has made quite the impression since taking over officially at the end of last year. His decision to move Zac Lomax onto the wing was met by apprehension and even frustration (from Lomax), but the shock call turned out to be a masterstroke. Lomax has been the form winger of the comp this season and is a live hope of being picked for the Blues for Origin Game I on June 5. Not only are some players thriving and improving with ball in hand, but the Dragons are also a much better team defensively. The Warriors were relentless in attacking the Dragons’ line early in their clash last week, but St.George were able to hold the visitors to just six points in the first half. Fox League’s Cooper Cronk pointed out how clear that was during the upset 30-12 win. “He’s doing the Shane Flanagan way. He’s backing himself,” Cronk said on NRL360. “I’ve never been coached by him but I think he requires a certain personality to play the way that he plays which is physically and mentally tough and they won’t take a backward step. “The weekend showed they started to get resilience into their performance because the Dragons of old, it would have been 16-0 with all the ball the Warriors had in that first 20 minutes.” Paul Kent is also impressed with what he’s seen. “They are starting to understand not only what their doing but what the guy next to them is doing and how they’re helping each other out,” Kent said. “That’s the big improvement in the Saints and that comes down to coaching and Shane Flanagan.” While players like Zac Lomax and Tyrell Sloan have put together terrific starts to the season, Flanagan’s arrival might have more of an impact on the club’s marquee player Ben Hunt. The Dragons skipper was seemingly hellbent on leaving the Red V last season, requesting a release from his contract which runs to the end of 2025. Nearly a year later, and Hunt has had a change of heart, with the veteran playmaker reportedly keen to sign an extension. He has forged a strong relationship with Flanagan and clearly believes he is the man to lead this team back to the promise land. “I think if we can keep performing and turn up with the energy like we did tonight, we can show that we are a finals team,” Hunt said after his team’s win over the Warriors. “Last week was a step in the right direction and this week was another step so we just have to keep building on it now and be consistent.” There’s plenty of football left this season, but if the Dragons defend like they did against the Warriors.