NRL news 2024: Shane Flanagan talks up prospects of rookie second-rower Dylan Egan
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has revealed that a tough young Steeler - who has drawn comparisons to Matt Gillett and Liam Martin - is a contender to fill an edge for the Dragons.
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St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan is weighing up a round one bombshell after revealing that impressive teenage back rower Dylan Egan is in contention to make his NRL debut against the Gold Coast Titans.
Egan, a local product who captained the club’s SG Ball side last season before graduating to NSW Cup, notably started on an edge against Manly in a scrimmage at 4 Pines Park on Friday and Flanagan confirmed he was a genuine contender for the vacant spot in the second row.
New recruit Ray Faitala-Mariner sat out the Sea Eagles hit out while former Melbourne back rower Tom Eisenhuth has also caught Flanagan’s eye since joining the club - both will be in contention for round one.
Egan, however, looks to have the early jump on his rivals after drawing comparisons in the preseason with Penrith superstar Liam Martin and former Broncos back rower Matt Gillett.
The teenager crucially appears to have the support of Dragons captain Ben Hunt after the club’s chief playmaker notably name-checked Egan during a recent interview with his masthead.
“Dylan Egan is a young kid who has really impressed me since we’ve come back,:” Hunt said.
“He’s no frills, you tell him what to do, he gets it done. He’s one of the fittest forwards we’ve got, he always seems to be in the right spot at the right time and makes really good decisions defensively.
“He just does all the little things right. He reminds me of Matt Gillett who played alongside me at the Broncos, they just never let their teammate down.
“He’s been very impressive.”
Flanagan has clearly been impressed as well. Asked about the prospect for Egan playing in round one, Flanagan said: “He is a legit hope. He is a tough back rower. he is going to be a long term first grader.
“He is Liam Martin all over. He is as tough as nails, smart footy player, he talks really well in team meetings and understands footy.
“Ben (Hunt) is quite happy to have him defend next to him so that is a rap. He is a genuine hope. Round one is an ask but Dylan Egan is a player of the future.”
Egan’s development could be all the more crucial given the uncertainty that surrounds the Dragons back row heading into the season.
Jaydn Su’A will be a definite starter on one side but he is yet to commit his future to the club despite a contract extension being tabled some time ago.
“We have been in negotiations,” Flanagan said.
“He hasn’t signed (the contract) or been finalised. I think Jaydn wanted to back himself and get himself into the season. That is fine - he is not going to market and he wants to stay here.”
The Dragons have made no secret of desire to sign another back rower for 2025, having targeted North Queensland pair Heilum Luki and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
Egan’s development could ease the pressure on that front. Flanagan has also backed the halves partnership of son Kyle and Hunt to produce the goods this season after the pair played together for the first time against the Sea Eagles.
“They’re combining well,” Flanagan said.
“It’s not the Benny Hunt Show any more, and Kyle can take pressure off him. I think Ben is enjoying having Kyle there because Kyle’s skill-set is more about organisation, and that takes that [pressure] away from Benny.”
DRAGONS’ FULLBACK BATTLE, TURBO’S OMINOUS WARNING
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan walked away from a scrimmage session against Manly on Friday morning convinced of two things – his side will only get better and the Sea Eagles can win the premiership if Tom Trbojevic stays fit.
Flanagan was optimistic about his side’s performance at 4 Pines Park but he was positively glowing when it came to Trbojevic, who has missed large chunks of recent seasons with hamstring and pectoral injuries,
When Trbojevic has gone down, so have Manly’s hopes of winning a title. The outlook is more promising this year given the way Trbojevic looked during nearly an hour of scrimmage under the blazing sun played at a reasonable intensity.
Manly struck twice early down the wing that was surprisingly occupied by regular centre Zac Lomax and Trbojevic was at the heart of both movements. It was an encouraging sign for Manly fans as they look to contend for the title.
It may only be a pre-season hit-out, but Flanagan – who was an assistant at the Sea Eagles last season – certainly saw enough to suggest that a healthy Trbojevic could inspire Manly to premiership success.
“Tom was brilliant,” Flanagan said.
“I was standing behind it all, and if they can keep him fit, he’s just so dangerous. He takes on the short side, if he doesn’t like what he sees on the short side, he doubles back and takes it up like a big front-rower.
“I think they can win the comp. I think Manly are a great club, but I’ve seen what Tom can do first hand, we saw what he did today, and Tom fit and strong, which he is at the moment, he’s such a good player.
“He makes his halves better, his forwards better, he’s a super player. He just gets it. Defensively he’s good, he can count numbers. If they keep him on the field, they’ve got a footy team.
“They’ve got depth and strength right across their team.”
Manly coach Anthony Seibold did his best to keep a lid on expectations, insisting his former assistant coach Flanagan was merely trying to up the pressure on the Sea Eagles.
“I reckon Brooksy (Luke Brooks) is a good one to talk to, having never played with him before,” Seibold said.
“One of the things Brooksy mentioned to me …. Was he didn’t understand how good of an organiser, how good of a talker, Turbo was.
“He is 100 per cent right. That is why he is the best fullback at Manly. He is a great leader for us. He is a very humble guy.
“The proof is in the pudding – when he plays for Manly you are a lot better chance of winning games.
“But I think the big lesson we learnt at the back end of last year was we played some of our best footy without him. If we can add the two of them, that’s what we want.”
Pressed on Flanagan’s comments, Seibold said: “Flanno is trying to put some pressure on us. It might have been a tongue in cheek comment.
“Who knows? I know Tommy is one of the best players in the competition – everyone knows that. You need an ounce of luck, you need your best players playing and you need to play consistent footy.”
While Trbojevic is the clear cut No. 1 at Manly, Flanagan used the scrimmage to experiment with his fullbacks as he gave Tyrell Sloan and Lomax a chance to show what they could do.
Flanagan has raised the prospect of the pair sharing time at the position during games and the jury is still out on whether it can work given the early success Manly had on Friday.
“Zac played a bit of centre as well,” Flanagan said.
“Our centres and wingers are our strengths – but I won’t gift anyone a position. Trials will indicate which way we go for round one.”
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