NRL 2023: St George Illawarra Dragons to appoint Shane Flanagan as head coach, 7 burning issues
New Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has spoken out about his return to the NRL head coaching ranks, thanking fans for their support, as the club finalises the details of his deal.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Shane Flanagan has spoken about his excitement of returning to the Dragons as their head coach with the premiership winning mentor thanking fans for their support.
The Dragons and Flanagan’s management were still putting the finishing touches on the deal which will see him officially take control of the club next season. However, both parties have agreed that Flanagan will coach the club in 2024. It is expected that Flanagan will coach for at least the next three seasons, barring any final hiccup in the negotiation process.
“I received the great news today that the St George Illawarra Dragons board have unanimously supported my appointment as head coach starting in 2024,” Flanagan said in a statement.
“The details will be finalised over the next few days and once completed I will supply a detailed press release.
“It would be an understatement if I didn’t express my excitement at being appointed head coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons. Thank you for the overwhelming support.”
The Dragons board met on Tuesday to decide between Flanagan and 2010 premiership heroes Ben Hornby and Dean Young on who would be the club’s next coach following Anthony Griffin’s sacking last month.
Flanagan was not in the picture this time last month when the Dragons chased Jason Ryles heavily. When Ryles left them at the alter there was a shift in mindset at the club with the WIN side of the partnership campaigning for Flanagan to take over.
While there was some resistance from St George the two parties eventually agreed on Tuesday morning that the Cronulla Sharks premiership winning coach would end his head coaching exile.
A late push for Young to join Flanagan’s coaching staff and guaranteed successor did not eventuate.
Flanagan is expected to see out the season at Manly as Anthony Seibold’s assistant before he takes on the role at the Dragons.
He worked at the Dragons first as an assistant coach and then in list management before joining the Sea Eagles this year.
Flanagan is a St George junior who played SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and President’s Cup for St George before making his first grade debut at the club in 1987, going on to make three appearances for the club before spending time at Wests and Parramatta.
He returned to St George Illawarra in 2020 where a large chunk of the current board signed off on his deal as an assistant to Paul McGregor. He left at the end of that year but returned last year as a list management consultant.
Flanagan has also balanced his coaching ambitions with work in the media as part of Fox League’s commentary team.
Flanagan has been wanting a crack to return to the NRL since he coached the last of his 185 games for the Sharks in 2018.
At Cronulla he made the finals in his last six years at the club including winning the 2016 premiership.
The decision by Ryles to reject the Dragons forced them into a rethink and suddenly Flanagan was back on their radar. He has already spoken with captain Ben Hunt and confirmed that he will keep Hunt in the No.7 jersey.
Current interim coach Ryan Carr is expected to remain at the club next season but Flanagan is expected to revamp other areas of the coaching and support staff.
SEVEN BURNING ISSUES FLANNO MUST FIX TO SUCCEED AT DRAGONS
After a five-year exile from the NRL head coaching ranks, Shane Flanagan is finally set to make his return, with the Dragons expected to offer the premiership winning mentor a three-year deal. But it won’t all be smooth sailing for Flanagan, and there are seven burning issues he must address if he wants success at St George Illawarra, writes MICHAEL CARAYANNIS and BRENT READ.
1. WHAT TO DO IN THE HALVES?
Flanagan is already on the record as saying that Ben Hunt will be his halfback next year. Rival clubs are already circling the Dragons skipper. If Hunt stays in the halves then it might be time to say goodbye to either Jayden Sullivan or Talatau Amone both who are on decent deals.
2. SUPPORT STAFF
Interim coach Ryan Carr and assistant Ben Woolf have 12 months left on their deals and are expected to remain at the club. St George and WIN have promised to invest in the football program which has long been neglected. Flanagan’s appointment means the club won’t rush in an experienced head of football but they may shift their focus into the development pathways.
3. PLAYERS AGITATING
Aside from Hunt there is massive unrest among a host of players including Zac Lomax, Jack Bird and Jaydn Su’A. Flanagan is close with Bird with the pair part of Cronulla’s 2016 premiership win so he should remain at the club now. Flanagan’s big task is getting the best out of Lomax and trying to get value for money on a contract which does not end until 2026.
4. LEARNING FROM HIS MISTAKES
This is Flanagan’s chance to show he has learnt from his failings off the field which brought about his demise at the Sharks. He has long craved a second chance in the NRL and this will be his final crack at a head coaching position. On the field in the past few years it has been hard to gauge exactly what the Dragons stand for. Former coach Anthony Griffin was supposed to bring a hard edge to a side but that failed. Flanagan’s best Cronulla sides were built on experience and grit.
5. THE 2025 HIT LIST
The Dragons have room to move under the salary cap in 2025 and Flanagan needs to quickly work out who he wants to target given players off contract at the end of 2024 will be free to sign with rivals from November 1. They will be on the market for a top-line prop and a quality hooker. Flanagan has the added advantage of having worked at the club and knowing everyone’s salary cap values.
6. DEALING WITH THE BOARD
Much has been made of the friction at board level but the pursuit of Flanagan has shown that the St George and WIN factions can work together for the common good. The boardroom shouldn‘t be Flanagan’s concern but there will be times no doubt when he may need to straddle the politics at play.
7. UNITING FANS
Dragons supporters are among the most passionate in the game. They also have no qualms venting their fury when things aren‘t going well, as Griffin and the players have discovered this season. Flanagan’s signature should unite the fan group and provided he can galvanise the supporters, he will have a powerful ally on his side.
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL 2023: St George Illawarra Dragons to appoint Shane Flanagan as head coach, 7 burning issues
NRL star’s blunt reality as exit looms
An NRL star has spoken out for the first time over his contract situation as he confirmed his club are not interested in re-signing him.
Aussies run riot in PNG demolition job
An Australian team bursting full of young NRL stars has proven far too strong for PNG in an annual clash against the PM’s XIII.