The Mole: Dragons’ Coaching Shake-Up Yields Results as Loko Pasifiki Tonga Steps Back from the Brink

In one of the most tumultuous weeks in the history of St George Illawarra, a glimmer of hope has surfaced.

Wide World of Sports has learned that rising young talent Loko Pasifiki Tonga has embraced the recent coaching shake-up at the club and will withdraw his request to part ways with the Dragons.

Pasifiki Tonga, one of the Dragons’ standout prospects, caused quite a stir last week when he sought an exit from the club.

To complicate matters, his management dispatched a harshly worded email outlining their grievances, which subsequently found its way to the media.

Sources close to Pasifiki Tonga have informed Wide World of Sports that the former NSW under-19 and Australian Schoolboys representative is keen to continue under interim coach Dean Young.

The source further revealed that Pasifiki Tonga was dissatisfied with the way he was treated by sacked coach Shane Flanagan and his deputy Michael Ennis, who Young dismissed on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old powerhouse has been included in the squad for the upcoming Anzac Day match against the Roosters.

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His decision to remain with the club signals confidence in Young and new football chief Ben Creagh, providing much-needed morale ahead of the crucial match.

In a remarkable turnaround, just a week ago, former international Mat Rogers, who is part of his management team, revealed on air that Pasifiki Tonga was “completely astonished” by his treatment and felt “uncoached”.

The email from his manager Craig Clifton was particularly scathing, stating:

“This request has not been made lightly. However, after extensive conversations with Loko regarding his status at the club and his future career path, it has become clear that his future at the Dragons is neither viable nor advantageous for either party,” Clifton wrote to the dismissed CEO Ben Haran and Creagh.

“While I acknowledge your reassurances that the Dragons hold Loko in high esteem and see a genuine path forward for him, the truth of his situation contradicts these claims. Actions speak louder than words.”

“Moreover, your assertion of a genuine pathway is severely undermined by the public statements made by your head coach.”