Dragons coach Shane Flanagan breaks silence on Francis Molo saga
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has broken his silence on the Francis Molo saga, conceding the former Queensland Origin prop may not return this season after crisis talks with the NRL.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan says the Frank Molo saga is a “total mess” and concedes the former Queensland Origin prop may not return this season after crisis talks with the NRL on Thursday.
Breaking his silence on the affair, Flanagan described the situation as a “legal minefield” as he tries to stabilise St George Illawarra amid fears Molo’s walkout could derail their 2025 title campaign.
This masthead can reveal Flanagan attended NRL headquarters on Thursday. The Dragons coach met with salary-cap chiefs and NRL head of integrity Jason King to seek clarity on Molo’s future amid revelations the veteran prop is battling mental-health issues.
The former Broncos bookend sensationally walked out on the Dragons over summer and is refusing to return to training, allegedly due to a verbal bust-up with a member of St George Illawarra’s coaching staff.
Flanagan is hoping to have Molo on deck for the Dragons’ premiership opener against the Bulldogs on Saturday, March 8, but admits the Samoan Test star may not wear the Red V jumper this year.
“I have no idea if he is coming back,” Flanagan said three weeks out from the Dragons’ round 1 clash.
“I met with the NRL to see where we sit from a salary-cap perspective. There were a couple of things to work through with our roster.
“We are going through the legal process of his contract.
“Frank is on sick leave until his sick days run out and then I have no idea what will happen.
“We might not get him back this season, who knows.
“It’s a legal minefield.”
Molo has played 138 NRL matches and the Dragons desperately need his fearless running and experience to lead a top-eight fightback, with the ex-Maroons firebrand playing 23 games last season.
It is understood Flanagan quizzed the NRL on the club’s salary-cap position and the financial implications if Molo wasn’t to return this season.
Flanagan insists he has no personal issue with Molo and is trying to find a swift solution to have the 30-year-old spearheading his engine room for the season opener.
“At different stages he has said he’s not coming back, then he’s told players he might be coming,” Flanagan said.
“It’s mess – it’s a total mess.
“We went in there (to the NRL) to see what the process is and what position we’ll take.
“Frank had a disagreement with one of the coaches.
“Frank has claimed he has some mental-health issues so I’ve said, ‘You guys (Dragons board, the NRL and RLPA) deal with it’.
“When his sick leave runs out, we will see what happens then.
“I see Peter V’landys has come out and said he will make it harder for players to break contracts on the back of it, so it’s interesting.
“I am not comfortable with our position.
“We have our No.1 front rower, who played 23 games last year, just walking out as the season starts.
“I’m not comfortable with it, but he has taken a stance and we need to work through it.”
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