Dragons’ Woes: Internal Solutions and a Potential Sloan Spark
The St George Illawarra Dragons are facing a challenging start to the season, grappling with three consecutive losses. Their opening game in Las Vegas saw them fall in golden point to the Bulldogs, followed by a narrow defeat against the Melbourne Storm in round two, where a brilliant hat-trick from Sua Faalogo proved decisive. However, it was their performance against the Parramatta Eels last weekend that truly ignited fan frustration, leading to widespread calls for significant team changes.
Shane Flanagan’s squad had multiple opportunities to establish a lead in the second half against a depleted Eels outfit, even benefiting from a sin-binning. Despite this advantage, they were unable to execute crucial final passes, ultimately succumbing to a 30-20 loss sealed by Josh Addo-Carr. This inability to convert pressure into points has placed the spotlight squarely on the Dragons’ key playmakers, who are expected to seize control of games and drive the scoreboard.
While social media buzzed with demands for wholesale alterations, coach Flanagan maintained faith in his established spine and backline for the upcoming crucial round four clash against the Gold Coast Titans, another team yet to secure a victory.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus, Phil Gould weighed in on the Dragons’ predicament, offering a considered perspective on whether a shake-up was in order. “I won’t say they need to make changes, but they certainly need to develop some aspects of their game and have needed to for some time,” Gould stated. He emphasised the importance of introspection, suggesting that the team needs to analyse past close losses. “You’ve got to win those narrow games, which means you’ve got to have good game managers and good attitude control and you’ve got to be able to handle pressure and execute at the right times.”
Gould believes the solutions are not necessarily external. “They can easily come out and fix that and I don’t think it’s down to personnel, I think it’s down to sometimes confidence, sometimes execution and sometimes leadership,” he explained. He noted the promising young talent emerging from the club’s reserve grade but cautioned against expecting immediate, drastic impacts. “I don’t know that I saw in the reserve grade side that’s an immediate fix. I think the answers are in their 17 at the moment.”
Indeed, some emerging talents from the NSW Cup side, such as Jacob Halangahu and Loko Pasifiki Tonga, have been promoted to the first-grade squad this week. Their inclusion is to cover for the absent Couchman brothers, with Ryan suspended and Toby sidelined due to concussion.
Potential Playmaker Pathways and a Sloan Solution
Looking at the long-term halfback prospects, Kade Reed has been identified as a potential future number seven, though he is not yet physically ready for the rigours of week-to-week NRL. Lyhkan King-Togia, another promising playmaker, has yet to feature in first grade this season after a mixed rookie campaign in 2025.
While Gould remains reserved about the immediate impact of these younger NSW Cup players, he has highlighted one exiled fullback who could potentially address the Dragons’ scoring deficiencies: Tyrell Sloan. The local junior was the team’s leading try-scorer last season but has fallen out of favour with coach Flanagan. The coach has opted for Christian Tuipulotu and Setu Tu on the wing, with co-captain Clint Gutherson occupying the fullback position.
However, there’s a strategic avenue to reintroduce Sloan’s X-factor to the team’s attack, though it might necessitate a shift for the coach’s son, Kyle Flanagan. “He’s an exciting and explosive player and he’s certainly a points scorer and I think could be a victim of a lack of confidence or lack of direction in the team,” Gould commented on Sloan. “I think if he’s playing with a different side with different playmakers and mentality [it would help]. He’s a dangerous player and he’s a player I don’t like playing against.”
Gould also touched upon the role of Clint Gutherson. “They bought Clint Gutherson for a reason, they bought him for leadership. I don’t know that Gutheron at this age could play another position, but he’s certainly not the player he was at fullback either. He could probably play five-eighth, but that’s a big change.” He suggested that Gutherson’s desire to be involved in playmaking could be better served in a different role. “Gutherson wants the ball in his hands and he wants to play and get the game moving and maybe that would be more effective in a playmaking role at the moment.”
Regarding Sloan, Gould believes his talents are best utilised at fullback. “I don’t think Tyrell Sloan is a winger and I think he lost confidence by playing on the wing, even though he scored a fistful of tries there. I think if you move Gutherson to five-eighth, Sloan is the logical one to bring in and back your ability to score more points, which is what they need.”
Glimmers of Hope Amidst the Frustration
Despite the mounting pressure and the growing impatience of a fanbase yearning for success, Gould doesn’t see the situation at the Dragons as entirely bleak. He pointed to the emerging crop of forwards, including the Couchman brothers, Hamish Stewart, Dylan Egan, Halangahu, and Pasifiki Tonga, as a source of optimism. Furthermore, a key off-season recruit has also caught Gould’s eye as he settles into the red and white jersey.
“I think young Dan Atkinson has been somewhat of a revelation with his kicking game, he really matched Mitchell Moses on the weekend for distance and accuracy,” Gould remarked. “I’ve been really impressed with him and he’s only new to the club.”
Gould also expressed his support for Jacob Liddle, describing him as “extremely dangerous.” He believes Liddle deserves more game time off the bench, particularly after an impactful, albeit limited, return from injury against the Eels. “Damien Cook has always been a great dummy-half and runner, but he gets targeted a lot in defence and people try to wear him out so he’s not as effective,” Gould noted. “Jacob Liddle is extremely dangerous and they probably need to inject him into the game a little bit more and get him more minutes.”
The St George Illawarra Dragons will face the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday night at Cbus Super Stadium, in a match where both teams will be desperate to register their first win of the season.
