A Coaching Career in Turbulent Times
Shane Flanagan’s tenure as the head coach of St George Illawarra has been a rollercoaster, marked by challenges that have tested even the most experienced leaders. The Dragons’ recent 11-game losing streak has led to Flanagan’s departure, making him the third full-time head coach to leave the club since their last finals appearance in 2018. This outcome raises questions about whether lightning truly strikes twice, especially when it comes to coaching success.
When Flanagan joined the Dragons in 2024, the club had high hopes for a revival under his guidance. However, the road ahead was fraught with obstacles. The sacking of previous coach Anthony Griffin, the legal issues faced by Junior Amone, and Ben Hunt’s struggles to secure a release all contributed to a difficult year for the team. These challenges created an environment where Flanagan found himself fighting against the odds from the very beginning.
Flanagan himself acknowledged these difficulties, pointing to Hunt’s decision to walk away from the club after 2024 as a key factor in the team’s current struggles. The loss of talented players like Amone and Zac Lomax, who moved to Parramatta, further complicated the situation. As the 2025 season approached, the Dragons were at a critical juncture, needing a fresh approach to rebuild their roster and regain momentum.
A Strategy from the Past
In an attempt to turn things around, Flanagan turned to a strategy that had worked for him before. In 2016, he led Cronulla to a premiership with one of the oldest rosters in NRL history. Players such as Luke Lewis, Michael Ennis, James Maloney, and Chris Heighington were instrumental in that success, each bringing experience and leadership to the team. Their presence helped the Sharks overcome a significant scandal and achieve their greatest moment in the league.
Inspired by this past success, Flanagan decided to bring in veteran players for the 2025 season. Damien Cook, Val Holmes, and Clint Gutherson were added to the Dragons’ roster, with the hope that their experience would help stabilize the team. On paper, this strategy seemed sound, and the club even received financial support from other teams to facilitate these early signings.
However, the fast-paced nature of the modern NRL has proven to be a challenge for older players. By the seventh round of the 2026 season, it became evident that the game had evolved significantly since Flanagan’s days with the Sharks. Players like Gutherson, 31, struggled to keep up with the speed of the game, and injuries only compounded their difficulties.
The Impact of Age and Rule Changes
In one of the Dragons’ 11 consecutive losses, 30-year-old Holmes missed 10 tackles while facing Latrell Mitchell, who scored four tries for South Sydney. This performance highlighted the growing gap between the older players and the younger, more agile athletes in the league. Jacob Liddle, the club’s form hooker, has often been the best among a struggling group, but even he has had to step up in the absence of consistent performances from the veterans.
Changes to the set-restart rule have also made it harder for older players to keep up with the demands of the game. The increased pace and physicality of the sport have made it increasingly difficult for those in their 30s to maintain their edge. This shift in the game’s dynamics has left Flanagan’s strategy looking outdated, raising concerns about its effectiveness in the current environment.
The Coach’s Son and New Challenges
With the departure of key players and the struggles of the veterans, Shane Flanagan’s son, Kyle, has been forced to take on a larger role on the field. Additionally, the failed signing of Lachie Ilias has added to the pressure on the remaining players. Flanagan’s decision to rely on older players appears to have been a critical misstep, one that may have cost the Dragons valuable opportunities to rebuild their team effectively.
As the club looks to the future, the question remains: what will the decisions made by Flanagan mean for his successor? The Dragons are still in a difficult position, and the path to recovery is uncertain. With the ever-changing landscape of the NRL, the team must find a way to adapt and thrive, regardless of the challenges they face.
