Sack Flanagan

[saintmar]

I had a big fight with someone here last year about extending Flannos contract, I think the other guy was correct in saying we should hold off, he signed a 3 years contract. I thought the Dragons were making progress after a positive start to last year, but from the end of last year to the beginning of this year nothing has changed from the McGregor and Griffin era, Wayne came a left this club a complete train wreck and still is coaching well at other clubs, like Wayne does so well.
I think, like Hook, the Sand in the Hour glass has came out of the garage from today for Flanno, If Wayne Bennett is still coaching, I believe Brian Smith still has the smarts to turn around this club.
Brian Smith was the ultimate master in rebuilding basket cases.

Thank you for remembering and good point re Brian Smith.
As for Flano we need to wait till late in the season.
I can go into many reasons why but i do not want to fight and argue, in the end results will determine his fate.
I just don't want to hear any more excuses for the results.He is the head coach and he should be reviewed on a results basis.
If they are not there we move on.
Remember it's his roster now.NO MORE EXCUSES.
It's that simple.

 

[saintmar]

I appreciate your humility in acknowledging your earlier misjudgment regarding Shane Flanagan’s tenure, a sentiment I share despite our differing timelines of realization.

A small contingent of forum members identified Flanagan’s coaching deficiencies from the outset, and with each passing game, their prescience becomes increasingly evident.

The more I observe Flanagan’s approach, the more I discern the imprint of Paul McGregor—‘Mary’—from Flanagan’s time as an assistant coach at the Dragons. The parallels between the two are striking and troubling:

• Ineffective bench management: Rotations lack strategy, undermining the team’s endurance.
• Questionable team selections: Take, for instance, the perplexing decision to enter the last two matches with only one replacement front-rower—a glaring tactical oversight.
• Inconsistent performance: The team’s inability to deliver week-to-week reliability remains a persistent flaw.
• Failure to sustain effort: Rarely do we see a full 80-minute display, exposing a lack of conditioning or motivation.
• Short-sighted recruitment: There’s little evidence of a coherent long-term plan, compounded by subpar signings.
• Neglect of junior talent: A disregard for the development pipeline, paired with poor man-management, stifles potential.
• Nepotism: The consistent selection of favorites, notably his son Kyle, smacks of bias over merit.

I hope more of our fanbase—and fellow forum members—will muster the courage you’ve shown to admit their initial support was misplaced and begin questioning Flanagan’s suitability for the role. It’s disheartening, though unsurprising, that some who staunchly defended McGregor until his exit now repeat the pattern with Flanagan.

It falls to us, I believe, to challenge this inconsistency and hold those members accountable for their shifting standards.
As you’ve astutely noted, superior coaching alternatives exist. I remain optimistic that the Dragons will soon pivot to a head coach capable of steering the club toward a brighter, more sustainable future.

Well Said

 

[Gareth67]

Somewhat surprised at many of the comments on this thread . Flanagan is without doubt the best coach the Dragons have had for many a season yet some believe that his head should be on the chopping block .

One must remember that the Dragons do not possess the same star studded roster of most other clubs in fact we have the bare skeleton of a first grade team . Injuries and suspensions will take a huge toll on our team when they occur and quite simply we do not have the necessary quality substitutes as replacements .

The man needs his time until the club is able to gain the signature of a number of truly top class players that will then give the Dragons a formidable combination that is capable of reaching the semifinals . As then and only then will the Big Red V be winning games on a regular basis .

 

[Dragonslayer]

Sack Robbo - what horrible for/against. Surely the call has come.
Sack Cleary- 4x champs on the ropes. What terrible retention policy in place. Cleary has a lot to answer for.
(above all in pink text as what all this thread should be)

 

[mattw5]

I will lose brain cells reading this thread but it’s quite simple Flanagan needs time, who is the answer if it’s not him? It’s certainly not Dean Young.

 

[mattw5]

There are currently 8 premiership winning coaches in a head coaching role & we are lucky to have one!!!

 

[thebigredv]

Coach is not the problem - unless of course he is the sole reason we can't land elite talented players in their prime - which is hard to tell.

The calibre of players is slightly sub standard in some areas and way off in others.
The club's willing ness to get the right managers in positions like recruitment has us all wasting our time.

 

[I'm Hornby]

To those who contend that Shane Flanagan requires additional time to prove himself as coach, I would assert that he has already been afforded ample opportunity to construct his optimal squad. Over the course of two complete off-seasons, Flanagan has had the autonomy to recruit seasoned talent, unearth promising juniors, and cultivate both peak performance and synergy within the playing group.

Indeed, Flanagan himself has acknowledged progress made, stating in an NRL.com article dated December 11, 2024 ("NRL 2025, St George Illawarra Dragons, Shane Flanagan roster rebuild"), "We're a lot better side than we were last year and hopefully there are some good times ahead"

Given this, one must ask: how much longer should Flanagan be granted?
His predecessor was relieved of his duties after slightly more than two seasons, a benchmark that logic dictates should equally apply here.

For Flanagan, the expectations are now unmistakable, and after more than a year of assurances to Dragons supporters, the time has come for him to substantiate his promises with measurable success on the field.

 

[Lovemedragons]

To those who contend that Shane Flanagan requires additional time to prove himself as coach, I would assert that he has already been afforded ample opportunity to construct his optimal squad. Over the course of two complete off-seasons, Flanagan has had the autonomy to recruit seasoned talent, unearth promising juniors, and cultivate both peak performance and synergy within the playing group.

Indeed, Flanagan himself has acknowledged progress made, stating in an NRL.com article dated December 11, 2024 ("NRL 2025, St George Illawarra Dragons, Shane Flanagan roster rebuild"), "We're a lot better side than we were last year and hopefully there are some good times ahead"

Given this, one must ask: how much longer should Flanagan be granted?
His predecessor was relieved of his duties after slightly more than two seasons, a benchmark that logic dictates should equally apply here.

For Flanagan, the expectations are now unmistakable, and after more than a year of assurances to Dragons supporters, the time has come for him to substantiate his promises with measurable success on the field.

Do you think sacking Flanagan at this point would make any difference? Do you think he would not have loved to have a Tyrell May and his like attracted to playing for StGI? But they’re not, we cannot get the talent to come so he is now developing juniors, his only option. I am pleased to finally see it to be honest. But it will take a little time, if we persist I think we can start winning games in the 2nd part of the season. Next year will be full steam ahead. Unless Bellamy decides he wants to come to us, we should stick with the premiership winning coach that we already have.

 

[jeffdragon]

Picking the.same team and expecting a different result.
Had chances to sign a few forwards and didn't.
Yet we put up with Lawrie selected.
Could of got RCG or Safiti even Brown.
We have had no depth for the last many years.
Which sux.
Lost our two best players.
No excuses.
Surely these clueless bustards can see it.
Because most of us can see it.
But it seems they aren't addressing the situation.
.
They are doing it at snails pace.

 

[thebigredv]

Picking the.same team and expecting a different result.
Had chances to sign a few forwards and didn't.
Yet we put up with Lawrie selected.
Could of got RCG or Safiti even Brown.
We have had no depth for the last many years.
Which sux.
Lost our two best players.
No excuses.
Surely these clueless bustards can see it.
Because most of us can see it.
But it seems they aren't addressing the situation.
.
They are doing it at snails pace.

I'm just saying....

Flanno picking and sticking better get the job against Titans and they are far from easy beats.

If not his selections will be called into question.

A couple of changes that seem pretty obvious to me:

Sloan is not a winger. Bring in Finau if fit for his turn otherwise Lawson. Trust them to fight it out for that spot.

Liddle and Cook experiment needs work. Don't mind Cook playing longer as he is experienced and fit but Liddle needs more time to ply his trade.

Leilua better off bench for impact and I'd start with Stewart. Luc needs a rocket every now and then too.

 

[Get2dachopper!]

I agree about Luc, he is too unfit to play second row. He should be played in the prop rotation off the bench. We are better off putting one of the young kids in the second row. The better teams have leaner, fitter second rowers who can play 80.
Sloan should be in his last warning.
And Suli needs some serious work in defence, he came rushing up in the line and missed his tackle which led to an easy eels try. It’s not the first time he has done that, it’s absolutely rubbish play.

 

[I'm Hornby]

Do you think sacking Flanagan at this point would make any difference? Do you think he would not have loved to have a Tyrell May and his like attracted to playing for StGI? But they’re not, we cannot get the talent to come so he is now developing juniors, his only option. I am pleased to finally see it to be honest. But it will take a little time, if we persist I think we can start winning games in the 2nd part of the season. Next year will be full steam ahead. Unless Bellamy decides he wants to come to us, we should stick with the premiership winning coach that we already have.

I believe Flanagan's coaching abilities are highly overrated, particularly by many forum members who defend his every decision. The excuses for his sub-50% win rate as the Dragons coach seem to dominate the conversation. As others have noted, Flanagan has had more than enough time and opportunities to strengthen the roster but has chosen not to sign certain players.

While it’s true that Flanagan won a premiership a decade ago, it’s clear that, at present, he is nowhere near securing another title with the Dragons. Moreover, the game has evolved significantly since his time with the Sharks. The fact that Flanagan is a premiership-winning coach doesn't mean we should refrain from holding him accountable or questioning his judgment. It certainly doesn’t automatically grant him unquestioned credibility as a head coach in the NRL.

If the team continues to fail to deliver consistent results, doubts will inevitably begin to surface about Flanagan's ability and whether he is the right coach to secure the team’s long-term success. This approach is essential, and hopefully, whoever takes over as coach will guide the team out of mediocrity, preventing another wasted three years.

 

[Mojo]

I believe Flanagan's coaching abilities are highly overrated, particularly by many forum members who defend his every decision. The excuses for his sub-50% win rate as the Dragons coach seem to dominate the conversation. As others have noted, Flanagan has had more than enough time and opportunities to strengthen the roster but has chosen not to sign certain players.

While it’s true that Flanagan won a premiership a decade ago, it’s clear that, at present, he is nowhere near securing another title with the Dragons. Moreover, the game has evolved significantly since his time with the Sharks. The fact that Flanagan is a premiership-winning coach doesn't mean we should refrain from holding him accountable or questioning his judgment. It certainly doesn’t automatically grant him unquestioned credibility as a head coach in the NRL.

If the team continues to fail to deliver consistent results, doubts will inevitably begin to surface about Flanagan's ability and whether he is the right coach to secure the team’s long-term success. This approach is essential, and hopefully, whoever takes over as coach will guide the team out of mediocrity, preventing another wasted three years.

So, if he doesn’t get results his future will be in doubt. OK. Got it.

 

[Crush]

So, if he doesn’t get results his future will be in doubt. OK. Got it.

Novel concept

 

[Old Timer]

Do you think sacking Flanagan at this point would make any difference? Do you think he would not have loved to have a Tyrell May and his like attracted to playing for StGI? But they’re not, we cannot get the talent to come so he is now developing juniors, his only option. I am pleased to finally see it to be honest. But it will take a little time, if we persist I think we can start winning games in the 2nd part of the season. Next year will be full steam ahead. Unless Bellamy decides he wants to come to us, we should stick with the premiership winning coach that we already have.

The better questions might be

Are we progressing under S F or are we treading water at best or maybe even going backwards

Is sticking with Cake, K F, C T who are all spuds restricting further development of younger players?

Have we become a club that accepts close losses as a recipe to roll out the same team just in hope that maybe we win next time?

Does our general kicking game look like Hunt never left?

Has our mental weakness resurfaced as we show no ability to ice a game?

Did S F sign a lot of spuds in the last 2 years and are those signings coming home to haunt him?

 

[John moz]

Illias over KT was a huge mistake worst signing.

 

[56to66]

Unfortunately we've become the True Illawarra Steelers of the 80's and most part of the 90's.

 

[offiah]

Illias over KT was a huge mistake worst signing.

Who’s KT?

 

[redv13]

Who’s KT?

Lyhkan King-Togia