NRL 2024: How Kyle and Shane Flanagan’s father-son combination has inspired Dragons resurgence

Not many believed the Dragons could make the finals in 2024, and even fewer would have believed Kyle Flanagan would be vital to their finals run. But not coach and dad Shane.

Few had believed that St George Illawarra could make the finals this year, and fewer might have believed Kyle Flanagan would be key to them doing it.

But not coach Shane Flanagan.

Two of the competition’s reborn clubs will go head-to-head on Saturday night when the Dragons host Canterbury in a high-stakes encounter at a sold-out Netstrata Jubilee Oval.

And at the heart of St George Illawarra’s resurgence is a father-son duo that only the most diehard Dragons supporters would’ve predicted would lead them back into finals contention.

“I thought at the start of the year that we could play semi-finals, and everyone thought I had lost my marbles,” Shane said on Friday.

“We were tipped to come at the bottom of the table, so I suppose we have overachieved.”

Kyle Flanagan has been key to the Dragons improved form in 2024. Picture: Getty Images

After a turbulent stint at Canterbury, Kyle has enjoyed arguably career-best form under his father and his new club. At least by his numbers this year.

He is averaging more runs (four) and has achieved career bests in line breaks (six), tackle busts (19), and, with five games left, is at an equal high of seven offloads.

While the statistics remain modest in comparison to other playmakers in the competition, Kyle’s relative improvement has mirrored that of the team.

He has also made the subtle adjustment from halfback, where he has played most of his career, to playing second fiddle next to representative star and captain Ben Hunt.

At 25 years of age, Kyle may just be starting to enter his prime years.

“I have always been a believer that seven and six, just throw them a jersey and whatever one they pick up, they can wear because it doesn’t change the way we play,” Shane said.

Art by Boo Bailey

“I knew he would have a good combination with Ben.

“Two different types of players – Ben’s a runner, and Kyle is a bit more of an organiser. So he is fitting into the system and structure well, and he is having a good season.”

While Kyle’s time with the Bulldogs did not go as planned, his father insists there is no bad blood between him and his former team.

Shane also dismissed any talk of him trying to secure the head coach role at his son’s former team as an “absolute load of rubbish”.

“Players move on. Kyle enjoyed his time at the Bulldogs, Kyle enjoyed his time at the Roosters, so he’s just moved on. He’s a Dragon now, and he has a job to do,” Shane said.

“It’s a tough job being a halfback at a club where, as we all know, the Bulldogs weren’t going that well last year, and Kyle’s the halfback, so he copped the criticism.

“We all know that, and Kyle knows that.”

Flanagan’s time at the Bulldogs did not go as planned. Picture: Getty Images

The Dragons take on a Bulldogs side riding a wave of momentum heading as they endeavour to shatter their own finals drought.

Their September absence has been longer than their rivals this week – not since they were bundled out by Penrith in 2016 have Canterbury featured in the big games.

Both teams enter the clash brimming with confidence. The Bulldogs have reeled off four wins in their past five, while the hosts last week snapped a 25-year hoodoo in Melbourne.

“To be honest, I haven’t thought about their stats or records or anything like that,” Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said.

“We’re preparing for their best game. They’ve got a lot of quality players and a big forward pack, so we’ve got our plans around that.

“Again, we are focused on what we can do, not what other people can do.”

The game marks the 150th for second-rower Viliame Kikau, who is in his second season with the club after following Ciraldo from Penrith to the Belmore.

“He’s one of our leaders. He’s just grown so much as a person over that 150 games. I hope we can rip in and give him something memorable,” Ciraldo said.

Canterbury front-rower Josh Curran is a certain starter despite battling a shoulder issue.