On Friday night, Shane Flanagan took to the sidelines at WIN Stadium, facing intense scrutiny over his future as head coach of the Dragons. Opting for a position beside general manager of football Ben Haran, Flanagan watched as his team endured a disappointing 10th consecutive loss, this time against an invigorated Sea Eagles team benefitting from a coaching change, with Kieran Foran steering their resurgence.
The Dragons started poorly, falling behind 16-0 in the early minutes. Nevertheless, they managed to claw back and even led 18-16 early in the second half. Unfortunately, history repeated itself as the Dragons squandered their lead, ultimately losing 28-18 amidst the frustration of their home fans. Despite creating several scoring chances, issues with execution remained evident, contributing to their defeat.
In the aftermath, Flanagan reflected positively on aspects of the game, insisting that his side showed improvement. “We competed hard, and if a few things had gone our way, we could have scraped a win,” he stated, referencing missed opportunities before and during the match. He acknowledged that their confidence appeared low, which likely affected their performance.
Flanagan also clarified his decision to coach from the sidelines, asserting, “I didn’t want to hide in the coach’s box. I’m here to fight.” With this loss, the Dragons are now 0-6 for the season and remain the only team in the NRL without a win.
Looking ahead, Flanagan faces significant challenges with tough fixtures against powerhouses like the Rabbitohs and Roosters on the horizon, leading fans and commentators alike to speculate on potential changes to the lineup. However, he indicated that alterations might be limited due to injuries and a lack of viable replacements in the squad. “If I had someone better, I would put them in, trust me,” Flanagan said, shedding light on the difficulties of making adjustments.
Young talents Jacob Halangahu and Loko Pasifiki Tonga are among those waiting for their chance but have seen minimal game time this season. Despite the struggles, Flanagan expressed confidence in his halves pairing of his son Kyle and recruit Daniel Atkinson, feeling they produced some promising moments, even if the team failed to capitalise on opportunities.
As the pressure mounts, captain Damien Cook rallied support for Flanagan, asserting, “His rope should be long, because he is not the issue.” The playing group, according to Cook, must take responsibility for turning the club’s fortunes around. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining if Flanagan retains his position amidst ongoing challenges.