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

Should Flanagan be sacked immediately?


  • Total voters
    70
  • Poll closed .

Forster Dragon

Juniors
Messages
1,232
Time to sack Flanno. Why not give Reed & Loko a start? Try pairing Reed & LKT in the halves? Does he think the current team can save his career? Blood some young players Flanno FFS before all the promising youth leaves
I have changed my mind sack him now before he does more damage.
He has nothing left to offer and if he is not gone soon no one will be left.
 

Stewartliddle

Juniors
Messages
459
Loko is gone 100%. Thanks Shane, I am sure he is sabotaging the club. Club won't sack him, once he jags a win or 2 the 0-10 record will disappear and he will probably be extended in a package deal with Kyle for even longer. Shane's constant excuses and puppy dog eyes are fooling the board and new CEO, he has no integrity and is a stubborn prick. Sick of seeing his face associated with the club it's sickening Tim watsford has a lot to answer for aswell gutless
 

redandwhite4evr

Juniors
Messages
2,218
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.
And pick players on form and NOT practise blatant nepotism
 

possm

Coach
Messages
17,567
I reckon he's safe also tomorrow. Some talk that this Board meeting is a scheduled monthly meeting so not extraordinary. However, I do think as many have already stated, they will discuss the coaching staff particularly the HC, players and football staff.

I don't think also that they are ready to admit extending SF last year was an error of judgment on their behalf. So, no doubt they will give him 'time'. That 'time' we can only guess, maybe 2, maybe 3.
I can already hear the dreaded line " Shane has the full support of the Board" (vomit)
The big differenc between our forum members/fans and Board mimbers, is that we Love the Dragons and they love themselves.
 

Dragonslayer

First Grade
Messages
8,118
After the Team List today surely, he has to go, and somehow, I think that decision has already been made by the hierarchy.

It's the silence from the CEO and up that has me to believe they've made their decision along with some unsurprising others. Now hear me out.

Replacing SF:
1. The normal scenario here is that DY takes over, however, several power brokers within the Club see him as much of the current problem as SF. There's also talk that DY is not liked amongst the playing group. Hence appointing him could spiral us out even further.
2. WT - Would certainly do a good job, but there are a couple of points to consider. 1. He has no 1st grade coaching experience (although as interim I think he'd be ok) 2. That would leave the high-flying Cup team without a coach 3. WT being promoted over DY would most probably enforce DY to leave or would he automatically get the axe also? In any case a suitable replacement would have to be sourced el-pronto.
3. An outside appointment. Who is avail;able now to step in and can realistically obtain a release from their current duties (remember we are only 7 games into the season and clubs would be reluctant to release an integral part of their current structure).
4. What happens to the part-time assistant? well he could do 1 of 4 things. 1. Stay on as assistant 2. Step into the HC role (similar story to Foran) as Interim 3. Take over the Cup team if #2 above transpires and 4. Quit himself to concentrate on his media commitments.

Ben Haran:
Some rumours around that he will be sacked, maybe even prior to SF. This also creates some uncertainty and whilst we would all cheer loudly, he still needs to be replaced. This is just my opinion, but I feel the position created for Ben Creagh was just a juxtaposition as a view to the work done by Haran (or lack thereof). Wouldn't surprise if BC took over BH's role.

The Reason:
So, imo, the biggest issue isn't sacking SF and/or others, it's a time frame and accuracy. I can't confess to the workings of the inner Dragons but have experienced similar in corporate life where nothing is said until "ALL ducks are in a row". Dribs and drabs speak only creates confusion and doubt amongst staff and especially the players who ever camp they are in.
 
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great.scott

Juniors
Messages
23
I just cannot believe the players he keeps picking.
LPT misses out again. No wonder players want to leave. I do not mind Sua going S I think he is past his best based on games this season but gee Flanagan is so stubborn and anti giving young players a go.
Willie Talau for me
 

Slippery Morris

First Grade
Messages
8,439
I heard that Saints don't have to pay him out the full amount, it is much less as they have performance clauses put in. Reedy mentioned it on NRL360 a couple of weeks ago. Money is not the issue.

How dumb is Flanno, If your job is on the line because the team is crap, and the fans are calling out for juniors, then the easy way to keep your job is to make changes to an already failing team and put in juniors. Show that you are trying to get out of the hole you are in. Instead he picks the same guys who has put him where he is? That is just bonkers. I really don't get it.

Not sure what anyone else thinks but I feel Hame Sele has provided much more than Lawrie and Guler yet he gets less game time than them. I thought he would be a logical choice ahead of then 2 this week.
 

Slippery Morris

First Grade
Messages
8,439
People are saying Dean Young is a certainty but what is to say Ennis was not brought in to take over in the event of Flanno getting the sack early. Both Flanno and Young were at the club for 2+ years together and it has declined. Why keep 1 and not get rid of both. Ennis has been there for 6 games. Look at the impact of Foran. Saints may have the same impact. Foran was at the club under Seibold from 2026.

Let's wait and see. As per the case with Price, Mary and now Flanno, the Saints board waits until the fans get so desperate for a change in coach that anyone they put in they will be happy with.

As long as it is an interim till the end of the year I don't care. Make them earn a 2+ year contract starting in 2027.
 
Messages
2,743
People are saying Dean Young is a certainty but what is to say Ennis was not brought in to take over in the event of Flanno getting the sack early. Both Flanno and Young were at the club for 2+ years together and it has declined. Why keep 1 and not get rid of both. Ennis has been there for 6 games. Look at the impact of Foran. Saints may have the same impact. Foran was at the club under Seibold from 2026.

Let's wait and see. As per the case with Price, Mary and now Flanno, the Saints board waits until the fans get so desperate for a change in coach that anyone they put in they will be happy with.

As long as it is an interim till the end of the year I don't care. Make them earn a 2+ year contract starting in 2027.
Who recruited Ennis though? I thought it was Flanno, not the club. And why would they keep Ennis? We have the worst attacking record of any team with him as attack coach.
 

Tomrum2

Juniors
Messages
30
Who recruited Ennis though? I thought it was Flanno, not the club. And why would they keep Ennis? We have the worst attacking record of any team with him as attack coach.
I think a lot of the problem with the back line comes from the indecision and skill of the halves to take on the line with any variety as the ball rarely gets to the centres and wingers with space to run even though they may not be the quickest. Our game plan is so predictable.
 
Messages
2,743
I think a lot of the problem with the back line comes from the indecision and skill of the halves to take on the line with any variety as the ball rarely gets to the centres and wingers with space to run even though they may not be the quickest. Our game plan is so predictable.
You're probably right. I'd also throw in the fact we have three coaches who all played at hooker. Maybe the attacking plays we're seeing is the extent of their tactical knowledge.
 
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