Should Flanagan be sacked immediately (20/04/2026 - Sacked)

[AKA Das Hassler]

It's not the coach we have been saying it for years . The Dragons Board needs to pull out the big major sponsors and attract young marquee players stop signing old timers .
No rejects signings clubs dont won't its been a major issue with the previous coaches receiving 2nd hand rejects. And let go of players that aren't performing every club that are consistently in the top 4 move players on to superleague.

From an outsider....amazes me that the Dragons board never seem to get any media scrutiny...there'd be no-one outside the STG club that would know a single thing about them or who's who in the boardroom. My WT have been flogged in the media to the point of near libellous abuse but the searing spotlight has at least finally resulted in the radical surgery the place needed. You guys seem in dire need of another deep dive Gus review and a chainsaw...only without Gus. As for a coach option...best available for the short term shakup needed is probably Brad Arthur...Flanno is past it...he's the vacuum wipers of coaching

 

[mattw5]

If Flanagan is sacked Dean Young will be the replacement absolute disaster let Anderson and Tim assist by recruiting more players for 2027 and make judgement then if results are still not there.

They can demand change in the halves in the meantime and promote Reed.

 

[Captain Apollo]

The Dragons need a coach who will develop players that are brought in, be it from within the clubs junior development programs or from external signings. Flanagan has had a major hand in many of the Dragons "big name" signings since he's been at the Dragons (e.g. Valentine Holmes), and most of them were in the veteran class when signed.

Age has caught up to some of them (e.g. Gutherson), but Flanagan refuses to change anything and just wheels out the same old faces in the same old positions (barring injuries and/or suspension). What is the old adage about doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results?

Thus any replacement for Shane needs to be good at developing players and being willing to blood youth.

 

[I'm Hornby]

The Dragons need a coach who will develop players that are brought in, be it from within the clubs junior development programs or from external signings. Flanagan has had a major hand in many of the Dragons "big name" signings since he's been at the Dragons (e.g. Valentine Holmes), and most of them were in the veteran class when signed.

Age has caught up to some of them (e.g. Gutherson), but Flanagan refuses to change anything and just wheels out the same old faces in the same old positions (barring injuries and/or suspension). What is the old adage about doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results?

Thus any replacement for Shane needs to be good at developing players and being willing to blood youth.

Great post.

Many claimed Flanagan was doing a great job bringing through the young players and has a history of doing so, as I informed most last year this was because he had to not because he wanted to, injuries forced his hand last year.
This year so far what do we see? Sloan ignored for older wingers, LKT/Reed ignored for the coach's son, Halangahu and LPT ignored for Lawrie/Sele/Guler, even Stewart gets named at 13 each week but gets relegated to the bench each time.

This fraudulent coach has no idea how to blood youth and it is showing in our piss poor results.

 

[jeffdragon]

The Dragons need a coach who will develop players that are brought in, be it from within the clubs junior development programs or from external signings. Flanagan has had a major hand in many of the Dragons "big name" signings since he's been at the Dragons (e.g. Valentine Holmes), and most of them were in the veteran class when signed.

Age has caught up to some of them (e.g. Gutherson), but Flanagan refuses to change anything and just wheels out the same old faces in the same old positions (barring injuries and/or suspension). What is the old adage about doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results?

Thus any replacement for Shane needs to be good at developing players and being willing to blood youth.

Amd these days halves and kickers are much more protected than ever before.
If Reed is good enough he's old enough.

 

[RedV11]

Great post.

Many claimed Flanagan was doing a great job bringing through the young players and has a history of doing so, as I informed most last year this was because he had to not because he wanted to, injuries forced his hand last year.
This year so far what do we see? Sloan ignored for older wingers, LKT/Reed ignored for the coach's son, Halangahu and LPT ignored for Lawrie/Sele/Guler, even Stewart gets named at 13 each week but gets relegated to the bench each time.

This fraudulent coach has no idea how to blood youth and it is showing in our piss poor results.

Watch these guys move on to better clubs/systems and flourish

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

The Dragons need a coach who will develop players that are brought in, be it from within the clubs junior development programs or from external signings. Flanagan has had a major hand in many of the Dragons "big name" signings since he's been at the Dragons (e.g. Valentine Holmes), and most of them were in the veteran class when signed.

Age has caught up to some of them (e.g. Gutherson), but Flanagan refuses to change anything and just wheels out the same old faces in the same old positions (barring injuries and/or suspension). What is the old adage about doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results?

Thus any replacement for Shane needs to be good at developing players and being willing to blood youth.

Playing Devil's advocate, part of this is on the club though. They hire a coach and demand success. The coach is only there for a couple of years so he has no alternative but to hire players that he knows, because he doesn't have the time to develop new ones. Hook did it, Flanno did it, even Bennett did it. It's the club and coach trying to meet short-term objectives rather than setting the club up for long term success. It doesn't help that the club didn't engage a recruiting manager for a long time so that fell on to Flanno as well.

Which doesn't excuse the slow line defence last year, the lack of attacking options this year, the game plan from 2015, the reluctance to drop players, the worlds slowest backline and the poor bench rotation strategies. There's a lot you can criticize Flanno for, but the club also has to wear quite a bit of blame.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Playing Devil's advocate, part of this is on the club though. They hire a coach and demand success. The coach is only there for a couple of years so he has no alternative but to hire players that he knows, because he doesn't have the time to develop new ones. Hook did it, Flanno did it, even Bennett did it. It's the club and coach trying to meet short-term objectives rather than setting the club up for long term success. It doesn't help that the club didn't engage a recruiting manager for a long time so that fell on to Flanno as well.

Which doesn't excuse the slow line defence last year, the lack of attacking options this year, the game plan from 2015, the reluctance to drop players, the worlds slowest backline and the poor bench rotation strategies. There's a lot you can criticize Flanno for, but the club also has to wear quite a bit of blame.

No doubt. It's often a case that problems stem from many sources not just one. The Dragons board hasn't had great success in its first grade coaching appointments since Wayne Bennett.

 

[Rob-Dragon]

I keep coming back to the style of play Flanagan has devised. The biggest, slowest and oldest roster in the competition is playing a game style from the 1950's. This is all on Flanagan. Block play, after block play, followed by a bomb. No ad-hoc second phase play. No spontaneity, just hit up, after hit up, with big bopper after big bopper, who hit the wall at the 60 minute mark. We have a #6 playing #7, and a #6 who???? Nothing else to say on our #6. It will be interesting to watch LKT this weekend. I know his defence is ordinary, but watch him go deep into the defensive line with the ball in both hands. At least he will demand an answer from the defence. So much of our attacking play unfolds 5 to 10 meters before the defensive line; which asks not a single question of the defence. Atkinson has put S'ua into holes for two tries in recent games BECAUSE he has gone straight into the defensive line, made the defence worry about his intent and then hit S'ua who was running great lines. Atkinson was probably chastised for this "Mate, we run block play, after block play followed by a bomb; and if you can't get on board....well Kyle will run that shape for me". Flanagan recruited these older players, Flanagan continues to pick the slowest winger of all time in CT, Flanagan continues picking the biggest and slowest team in the NRL, and this is all on Flanagan. It is his game plan. I just don't think he is the guy to take us forward to compete in this new 6-again, tag styled game. Adapt or die. Flanagan will die on the hill for this game style and his son's right to run the team.

 

[getsmarty]

YOUNG SHOULD GET NEXT CRACK AT COACHING DRAGONS

In the wake of Anthony Seibold’s sacking, pressure mounts on Shane Flanagan to turn St George Illawarra’s season around.


And while the Dragons have come out publicly in support of their under fire coach this week, the bosses who gave Flanagan his two-year contract extension towards the end of last year should be under just much scrutiny as Flanagan is right now.

I pointed out on NRL 360 this week that not only are the Dragons on a run of eight straight losses, but they have gone down in 12 of their past 14 games.

What makes this even more intriguing is when you go back and look at the timeline leading up to when Flanagan got his extension at the start of last August.

At that point the Dragons had lost four straight going into the round 22 game against the Raiders.

But on the back of one win the club announced the following week that Flanagan had been extended until the end of 2028.

The Dragons then won their next game against the Sharks.


But since it’s gone pear-shaped, with eight straight defeats.

It’s flies in the face of the club statement last August that quoted chief executive Tim Watsford saying: “Shane has played a critical role in setting the foundation for where this club is heading.

“He’s re-instilled belief in our playing group, coaches and supporters together with reiterating the privilege of wearing the Red V.”

Talk about a comment not ageing well.

At least the Dragons won’t have to go searching too far for their next coach if they end up being forced to make that call because they have a ready-made replacement in Dean Young.


Young has done a long apprenticeship in assistant roles at the Dragons and the Cowboys, and I’ve spoken to Wayne Bennett about him in the past.

Bennett is convinced the man who was so instrumental in the team culture in the Dragons’ 2010 premiership triumph will also make a great head coach when Young finally gets his chance.

The issue moving forward for the Dragons is that you’d imagine Young will also be in the mix if Todd Payten ends up getting pushed out of the Cowboys.

It makes the result on Saturday potentially more crucial for both coaches given there was also mail last week that the Cowboys were ready to pull the trigger on Payten before their come-from-behind win over the Storm.

In the race for Young, it could end up being a case of first in, best dressed.

Jurbo’s poker face admits Seibold truth; Flanno dilemma with ready-made replacement — Paul Crawley

Dragons’ ready-made new coach is clear — but rival threat looms in awkward Flanno situation

www.foxsports.com.au

Be Careful what you wish for...................

I Agree Flanno not working, but if we end up with Deano, I think I'm done.

 

[sammymills]

I keep coming back to the style of play Flanagan has devised. The biggest, slowest and oldest roster in the competition is playing a game style from the 1950's. This is all on Flanagan. Block play, after block play, followed by a bomb. No ad-hoc second phase play. No spontaneity, just hit up, after hit up, with big bopper after big bopper, who hit the wall at the 60 minute mark. We have a #6 playing #7, and a #6 who???? Nothing else to say on our #6. It will be interesting to watch LKT this weekend. I know his defence is ordinary, but watch him go deep into the defensive line with the ball in both hands. At least he will demand an answer from the defence. So much of our attacking play unfolds 5 to 10 meters before the defensive line; which asks not a single question of the defence. Atkinson has put S'ua into holes for two tries in recent games BECAUSE he has gone straight into the defensive line, made the defence worry about his intent and then hit S'ua who was running great lines. Atkinson was probably chastised for this "Mate, we run block play, after block play followed by a bomb; and if you can't get on board....well Kyle will run that shape for me". Flanagan recruited these older players, Flanagan continues to pick the slowest winger of all time in CT, Flanagan continues picking the biggest and slowest team in the NRL, and this is all on Flanagan. It is his game plan. I just don't think he is the guy to take us forward to compete in this new 6-again, tag styled game. Adapt or die. Flanagan will die on the hill for this game style and his son's right to run the team.

CT can and will crash over from 10 out if the 5/8 on his side, doenst crab across and take all the space and takes on the line.
He has done it many times before. With a smaller winger for some reason we dont get out of our own end very well, and CT does put in effort for runs i have to hand it to him despite his lack of pace.

 

[mattw5]

YOUNG SHOULD GET NEXT CRACK AT COACHING DRAGONS

In the wake of Anthony Seibold’s sacking, pressure mounts on Shane Flanagan to turn St George Illawarra’s season around.


And while the Dragons have come out publicly in support of their under fire coach this week, the bosses who gave Flanagan his two-year contract extension towards the end of last year should be under just much scrutiny as Flanagan is right now.

I pointed out on NRL 360 this week that not only are the Dragons on a run of eight straight losses, but they have gone down in 12 of their past 14 games.

What makes this even more intriguing is when you go back and look at the timeline leading up to when Flanagan got his extension at the start of last August.

At that point the Dragons had lost four straight going into the round 22 game against the Raiders.

But on the back of one win the club announced the following week that Flanagan had been extended until the end of 2028.

The Dragons then won their next game against the Sharks.


But since it’s gone pear-shaped, with eight straight defeats.

It’s flies in the face of the club statement last August that quoted chief executive Tim Watsford saying: “Shane has played a critical role in setting the foundation for where this club is heading.

“He’s re-instilled belief in our playing group, coaches and supporters together with reiterating the privilege of wearing the Red V.”

Talk about a comment not ageing well.

At least the Dragons won’t have to go searching too far for their next coach if they end up being forced to make that call because they have a ready-made replacement in Dean Young.


Young has done a long apprenticeship in assistant roles at the Dragons and the Cowboys, and I’ve spoken to Wayne Bennett about him in the past.

Bennett is convinced the man who was so instrumental in the team culture in the Dragons’ 2010 premiership triumph will also make a great head coach when Young finally gets his chance.

The issue moving forward for the Dragons is that you’d imagine Young will also be in the mix if Todd Payten ends up getting pushed out of the Cowboys.

It makes the result on Saturday potentially more crucial for both coaches given there was also mail last week that the Cowboys were ready to pull the trigger on Payten before their come-from-behind win over the Storm.

In the race for Young, it could end up being a case of first in, best dressed.

Jurbo’s poker face admits Seibold truth; Flanno dilemma with ready-made replacement — Paul Crawley

Dragons’ ready-made new coach is clear — but rival threat looms in awkward Flanno situation

www.foxsports.com.au

Be Careful what you wish for...................

I Agree Flanno not working, but if we end up with Deano, I think I'm done.

Exactly what i have been saying, stick with Flanno a bit longer Dean Young will set us back further

 

[I'm Hornby]

Exactly what i have been saying, stick with Flanno a bit longer Dean Young will set us back further

Remember last year when you said Ricky was building something at the raiders (after what a decade as coach?). How is that panning out this season champ?

 

[i0Nic]

No I have a different take.

Flanno and the board know that we’re in a rebuilding phase. Our upcoming juniors are looking gun but they needed a couple years. So they brought in experienced guys like gutho and cook that are workhorses, which means that we will at least compete against teams and also can have experienced guys to help mentor the up and comers.

They’re bringing in KK and have always said we probably need another 1 or 2 big signing imports - a half and a fullback probably.

Obviously we want to win games. But we’re in a rebuilding phase. I do believe there is a plan that is coming together. In 2028 gutho and cook will be gone, KK will be leading a strong pack, we’ll have a couple big signings and we’ll be more than competitive.

Is anyone really expecting to win the comp this year? Let’s settle down and see this vision the coaching staff and board have in place over the next 2 more years.

 

[jeffdragon]

No I have a different take.

Flanno and the board know that we’re in a rebuilding phase. Our upcoming juniors are looking gun but they needed a couple years. So they brought in experienced guys like gutho and cook that are workhorses, which means that we will at least compete against teams and also can have experienced guys to help mentor the up and comers.

They’re bringing in KK and have always said we probably need another 1 or 2 big signing imports - a half and a fullback probably.

Obviously we want to win games. But we’re in a rebuilding phase. I do believe there is a plan that is coming together. In 2028 gutho and cook will be gone, KK will be leading a strong pack, we’ll have a couple big signings and we’ll be more than competitive.

Is anyone really expecting to win the comp this year? Let’s settle down and see this vision the coaching staff and board have in place over the next 2 more years.

Rebuilding but no excuse not to win games.
Last two games there to win on a platter.

 

[getsmarty]

..

 

[mattw5]

No I have a different take.

Flanno and the board know that we’re in a rebuilding phase. Our upcoming juniors are looking gun but they needed a couple years. So they brought in experienced guys like gutho and cook that are workhorses, which means that we will at least compete against teams and also can have experienced guys to help mentor the up and comers.

They’re bringing in KK and have always said we probably need another 1 or 2 big signing imports - a half and a fullback probably.

Obviously we want to win games. But we’re in a rebuilding phase. I do believe there is a plan that is coming together. In 2028 gutho and cook will be gone, KK will be leading a strong pack, we’ll have a couple big signings and we’ll be more than competitive.

Is anyone really expecting to win the comp this year? Let’s settle down and see this vision the coaching staff and board have in place over the next 2 more years.

Yep, trust the process. Sacking Flanno is not the answer the outcome is far worse i can promise i know Dean Young is next in line.

 

[Trifili13]

Let's hope the Cows sack Todd before we sack Flanno, Young gets the Cows job and we can breathe a sigh of relief.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

No I have a different take.

Flanno and the board know that we’re in a rebuilding phase. Our upcoming juniors are looking gun but they needed a couple years. So they brought in experienced guys like gutho and cook that are workhorses, which means that we will at least compete against teams and also can have experienced guys to help mentor the up and comers.

They’re bringing in KK and have always said we probably need another 1 or 2 big signing imports - a half and a fullback probably.

Obviously we want to win games. But we’re in a rebuilding phase. I do believe there is a plan that is coming together. In 2028 gutho and cook will be gone, KK will be leading a strong pack, we’ll have a couple big signings and we’ll be more than competitive.

Is anyone really expecting to win the comp this year? Let’s settle down and see this vision the coaching staff and board have in place over the next 2 more years.

I appreciate you posting an optimistic take. I don't agree with it.
1. Every time we perform poorly, it's inevitably labelled "rebuilding phase". We were rebuilding under Mary, we were rebuilding under Hook, and now we're rebuilding under Flanno. What makes you think this rebuild will be any different?
2. Yes our juniors look gun. Our juniors always look gun. Doesn't mean they'll make it in first grade. Doesn't mean they will be playing for us. At one point Sloane, Amone and Sullivan were going to save us, and look what happened
3. Gutho and Cook are not workhorses. They are tired old relics with their best years behind them. They were hired to be leaders, and they're leading us down the sh*t chute.
4. KK is a good signing. People said Kerr was a good signing, Leilua was a good signing, Holmes was a good signing, Cook was a good signing. All newcomers look like good signings but it doesn't take long before they start playing as badly as the rest of the side.
5. If there is a plan that is coming together, if the board and coaching staff have a vision, why isn't the board and management taking the time to explain it to the members and fans? Ryan Webb had a plan, took it to a members meeting, it sounded promising, then they got rid of him. Since then - crickets.
6. No I didn't expect to win the comp this year, but based on Flanno's and Watsfords comments I was hoping to improve on last year. So far that appears unlikely.

I admire your optimism, but I've lost faith. I'd love to be proven wrong.

 

[mattw5]

Let's hope the Cows sack Todd before we sack Flanno, Young gets the Cows job and we can breathe a sigh of relief.

Won’t happen he is waiting for the top job at Dragons