Dragons Coach Urges Patience with Young Sensation Kade Reed Ahead of Vegas Opener
Calls for exciting young playmaker Kade Reed to be fast-tracked into the St George Illawarra Dragons’ starting lineup for their historic Las Vegas season opener have been firmly dismissed by coach Shane Flanagan. Flanagan is urging fans and media to exercise patience, emphasising the importance of nurturing the teenager’s development for a long and successful NRL career.
Reed, a highly-touted local junior, has generated significant buzz following an impressive showing in the Dragons’ opening trial match. He showcased his talent by scoring a try and displaying remarkable composure in the crucial No. 7 jersey. This performance drew widespread praise from rugby league experts and the club’s supporter base. However, his game time was significantly limited in the Dragons’ second and final trial match.
The Dragons suffered a loss against a second-string South Sydney Rabbitohs outfit in that second trial, intensifying the spotlight on the club’s established halves pairing of Kyle Flanagan and Daniel Atkinson. This result fuelled further speculation and a chorus of voices advocating for Reed’s inclusion against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the upcoming Las Vegas clash.
Despite the mounting pressure, Coach Flanagan was unequivocal in his stance during a recent interview on The Dragons Den podcast. He emphatically ruled out any possibility of the 19-year-old featuring in the highly anticipated season opener.
“There is a lot of people out there that want me to play Kade Reed in Vegas … that would be suicide for me and for Kade,” Flanagan stated, highlighting the potential negative impact on both the player and the team. He elaborated on his coaching philosophy, stressing the responsibility to manage the careers of all players, ensuring they are physically and mentally prepared for the demands of the NRL.
“No matter what position people play in, I have got to manage their careers and when it is right and when they are physically strong enough,” he explained. “To play Kade against [Viliame] Kikau and all of them is just asking for him to lose his confidence. He might be able to handle 80 minutes and do OK … but you have got to talk about the kid’s confidence, belief and having a long career.”
Flanagan reiterated his commitment to Reed’s long-term development. “I am going to manage Kade’s career and look after him because he does have a career in front of him and when he gets there I don’t want to put him in and take him back out again three or four weeks later – he goes in there to stay and start his career.” He expressed optimism about Reed’s future opportunities, stating, “Hopefully it is at some stage this year and he gets an opportunity and he will take it because he has been a really good kid for us the last three or four years.”
Building a Future Star: The Development Path for Kade Reed
Kade Reed, who honed his skills with the Western Suburbs Red Devils in the Illawarra region, is widely regarded as the club’s long-term answer in the halves. While Atkinson and Kyle Flanagan will be given the first crack at the No. 6 and No. 7 jerseys, Flanagan’s comments should provide reassurance that the club is strategically positioning Reed for future success.
Entering his third year at the helm, Coach Flanagan believes Reed requires further development in both his physical conditioning and his game management skills before making his permanent NRL debut.
“Kade has got some really good qualities and he has just got to work on some other things,” the former Cronulla Sharks premiership-winning coach commented. “He will put some size on over the next 12 months and he has done some pre-seasons with us, but now he is full-time. I think that full-time training in a strength program and I think he is 74kg now and I think he will get up to 80kg by the end of the year.”
The transition to a full-time professional environment is crucial for Reed’s physical growth. Flanagan also highlighted the mental aspects of the halfback role. “He has got to run a team. He has got to feel comfortable to tell some 200-gamers to get out of the way or do this or that. It is a tough job as a halfback and it comes under a microscope and if you don’t do your job, you are under the microscope.”
Flanagan concluded by reinforcing his belief in Reed’s potential while reiterating the need for patience. “He has some work to do, but he will get there. From our perspective Kade has done a good job and we are lucky to have him, but don’t be impatient.” The Dragons are clearly invested in building a strong foundation for Reed’s career, prioritising his long-term development over immediate gratification.
