Shane Flanagan has been labelled the “perfect appointment” for a Dragons club “riddled with dysfunction” as questions have been raised regarding the club’s coaching decisions.
Axed coach Anthony Griffin was allowed to start the 2023 season before he was informed he would need to reapply for his own job for 2024.
From then on the former Panthers and Broncos boss was a dead man walking and subsequently left the role in May.
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Flanagan, who won a premiership with the Sharks in 2016, is set to take over in 2024 but The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio believes he should have been employed before this season kicked off.
“This season has been a write-off since February, when the board and management decided to make the call on Anthony Griffin and suggest to him that: ‘we may or may not go with you beyond this season’,” Riccio said on NRL360 on Tuesday night.
“From that very point the entire season was a waste of time.
“To Crawls’ point, they should have made the call late last year, move on, and get this season underway with a new future – full recruitment for success on the field. It just hasn’t happened.”
The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Crawley also declared Flanagan as the right man to turn the Dragons’ fortunes around.
“It’s a pity it’s taken this long. They could have made decision last year and they probably would have had Flanagan on board right now,” Crawley said.
“For the club at the moment, it’s probably not the choice I would have made, I’ll be honest with you.
“But for the club at the moment, having an experienced coach with his credentials to take over, it’s a good fit.”
Riccio also sent a big warning to fans of the Red V club — urging them to not get ahead of themselves as Flanagan attempts a club overhaul.
“Absolutely Shane Flanagan is the right man for this job. This is an incredible job as far as rebuilding is concerned,” Riccio said.
“It must be said that Dragons fans need to understand that Shane Flanagan coming in, he can’t be seen as this great panacea as far as fixing this entire club.
“This is a club riddled with dysfunction. They are divided at board level and a coach coming in can’t be expected to fix the world’s problems as far as St George Illawarra are concerned.
“However, it’s a good start… given his success from bottom to top, perfect appointment.”
“I think he’s the right man for the job… I think the fans needed an answer and I think with his experience and what he’s done – it’s a big job,” league legend Gorden Tallis added.
As it stands, Flanagan is employed as Anthony Seibold’s assistant coach at the Sea Eagles and his contract with the Dragons is set to begin in 2024.
However, the “ideal” situation for St George Illawarra would be to begin as soon as possible and Tallis explained “there’s a lot of work to do”.
“He has a position at Manly. I don’t know what the terms of that agreement are. It would be ideal, wouldn’t it, to come in and take over. I think he’s got the experience,” Crawley said.
“I’d want to get there as quick as possible. If I’m head coach I’d want to get my fingers all over the joint. If there’s a lot of work to do, the quicker you start the better chance you’ve got of finishing,” Tallis added.
But Riccio revealed Flanagan will likely remain at the Manly club until the season’s end.
“Talking to Manly officials, all indications are that Shane feels a little indebted to the Sea Eagles for the way they’ve helped him get his coaching career back on track,” Riccio said.
“He would be more than comfortable sticking around to see them through to the finals this year.”
Originally published as ‘Riddled with dysfunction’: Why ‘perfect’ Flanagan should already be Dragons coach