The St George Illawarra Dragons have put all contract negotiations on hold while calling for players to “take some bloody accountability,” as the pressure mounts following their ninth consecutive loss, a heartbreaking 32-0 defeat by the North Queensland Cowboys. This disappointing run has marked their worst start to a season since the merger of St George and Illawarra in 1998.
Coach Shane Flanagan has come under fire for the team’s dismal performance, especially as he is largely responsible for assembling the current squad. His decision to regularly include his son, Kyle, despite underwhelming performances, has frustrated fans. Even without Kyle in Round 5 due to injury, the Dragons were unable to display any fight against the Cowboys, leaving supporters outraged.
Reports indicate that the Dragons’ management has been instructed to halt all player negotiations, impacting key players such as co-captain Damien Cook and several others, which totals around $3 million worth of unsigned talent for the next season.
Notably, Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters voiced his support for Flanagan during a recent Fox League discussion, emphasizing that players need to take ownership of their performances and focus on the basics of the game. Similarly, league legend Andrew Johns defended Flanagan but suggested that the current roster lacks the necessary quality, while former Bronco Sam Thaiday countered that the team is more than capable of securing wins if they return to simpler, effective play and heed their coach’s advice.
With speculation about Flanagan’s future swirling—it’s worth noting that he received a contract extension last year—the Dragons face challenging encounters against the Manly Sea Eagles, South Sydney Rabbitohs, and Sydney Roosters in the upcoming weeks before a bye in Round 9. The team’s failure to secure wins has raised concerns over the coaching strategy and player discipline, leaving both fans and analysts eager to see if the Dragons can turn their fortunes around.