Flanagan backs son Kyle’s comeback as the Dragons’ top halfback, pledges to fight on as coach

Despite the rising dissent among fans, Flanagan firmly believes he is still the right fit for the role and is committed to continuing his efforts until circumstances alter.

“Absolutely—this is what I’ve dedicated myself to for over 20 years,” he mentioned during an extensive press conference on Thursday.

“I’ve never encountered a situation quite like this, but you simply have to keep fighting. I’m not concerned about my future; there are more pressing issues at hand.

“My focus is on the club. I value stability within the team and the organisation as a whole over my own position. I must give my all; I’m not focused on myself.”

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“If I put in the effort and we manage to get through this, that will be pleasing. If we don’t, I can at least leave knowing I gave it my best shot. I’m here to fulfil my role, and I still believe I’m the right person for it… I’ve been doing this for 20 years, so I think I can handle it.”

“It’s the NRL; if you’re not winning, the pressure will invariably mount. Honestly, I can’t fathom the way people attack each other in our wonderful game.”

“I get it, but I wouldn’t say I enjoy it or condone what’s been happening. I wouldn’t wish anyone to experience what I have over the past few weeks.”

Flanagan confirmed he has engaged in discussions with a “disappointed” St George Illawarra administration since last weekend’s disheartening 32-0 defeat to the Cowboys, but intends to keep the details of those conversations confidential for now.

Attention now shifts to Kyle’s return from concussion, as the coach’s son is set to don the No.7 jersey in a bid to rescue his father’s position.

The often-criticised playmaker suffered a severe concussion in round four but has since cleared all required tests and will feature against the Sea Eagles on Friday night.

The coach is confident that Flanagan Jr is the ideal candidate for the halfback role this week, allowing star signing Daniel Atkinson to return to his natural position at five-eighth.

“He’s our top halfback in the club, competes fiercely, and if you consult with the other coaches… I’m not selecting Kyle just because of his surname,” Flanagan stated.

“He has a role to fill, and he ranks among our top three or four competitive players week in and week out. Currently, he is our best halfback, which is why we are selecting him.”

“We believe Kyle’s strength lies in his organisational skills on the field, guiding the team effectively. Daniel is under some pressure, especially in Kyle’s absence last week, to manage both roles. A strong runner, Daniel excels in his own right with a solid kicking game.”

“Bringing Kyle back will alleviate the pressure on Daniel and allow us to employ Kyle’s strengths. While it is just a number switch, it represents a shift in strategy.”

Flanagan also faced numerous inquiries regarding the underperforming Dragons squad, which has largely been assembled under his leadership since he joined in late 2023. He identified the departures of three representative players as a significant hurdle for the team.

“Everyone will have their opinion on this, but it certainly hasn’t been easy,” he remarked.

“Take a look back 12 to 18 months; our marquee halfback, Ben Hunt, walked away from the club. When you lose your halfback without any future strategy in place, it complicates things immensely. Most teams have a three to four-year plan, but we had to scramble when he left, followed by the situations with Zac Lomax and Francis Molo — we’ve faced quite a bit of adversity.”

St George Illawarra will take on Manly at WIN Stadium at 6pm on Friday night.