‘I love his attitude’: Shane Flanagan praises senior Dragons players for supporting Lachlan Ilias amid calls for change at halfback

Lachlan Ilias helped the Dragons stun the Storm earlier this season, and his coach wants him to play like that more consistently.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan says he loves Lachlan Ilias’ attitude and has backed his chief playmaker to return to the form that led his side to a stirring upset win over the Storm just a couple of weeks ago.

The comments come after Ilias’ manager, Braith Anasta, suggested on NRL 360 that his client had two or three weeks to save his job on the back of last week’s heartbreaking loss to the Eels in golden point.

Ilias kicked a ball out on the full last Saturday as the Dragons blew a lead to lose at the death, although he wasn’t far away from nailing a huge play that would have put his team in prime position to ice it.

Lachlan Ilias has shown this year how valuable he can be to the Dragons. Picture: NRL Photos

“Everyone probably looks at big moments that the team didn’t nail and then make an opinion of it,” Flanagan said on Thursday.

“I’ve been quite happy with the improvement that Lachie has shown. Defensively he’s got better week to week, and last week we all know what happened there when he made a play that just didn’t come off for him.

“I love his attitude towards it that he’s trying his butt off, and that’s all we can ask.

“I’m not going to take too much into it (because) I haven’t spoken to Braith.

“I’ve just got to make sure that I get Lachie in the right headspace for tomorrow, which I think he is.”

Flanagan praised senior recruits Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook for helping the young halfback, who is still only a few games back from a horror leg injury that ended his 2024 season, with Gutherson’s ball-playing going to new heights.

Ilias is still getting used to the system but showed against the Storm that he has what it takes to lead the team around the park, with the halfback kicking for a whopping 495m and defending well against the premiership favourites.

“Blokes like ‘Gutho’ and ‘Cooky’ have been really good for him about concentrating on what he does well,” the veteran coach said.

“We saw a week or 10 days earlier what he did against Melbourne. He kicked outstandingly and didn’t go away from his game plan and he defended well, so it’s there.

“We’ve just got to get it out consistently.”

Christian Tuipulotu could bring back his try celebration after he signed a new deal with the Dragons. Picture: NRL Photos

Ilias gets another chance to shine against the Titans on Friday night at home where winger Christian Tuipulotu will be looking to celebrate his new one-year contract extension.

Tuipulotu has been outstanding on the left edge with five tries and plenty of strong carries, with Flanagan happy for him to bring back his “show me the money” celebration if he scores a try to win the game.

“We’re really pleased with Christian’s development this year,” he said.

“His strong carries from the backfield are just as important as his finishing and we’re glad to be able to extend his stay at the club.”