Shane Flanagan has asked Dragons fans to back him for the long haul with the new coach admitting that it won’t be until next year or the year after that he has a side that can challenge.
The ex-Sharks boss has endured a horror start to his reign on the recruitment front with multiple options turning him down, as well as watching his starting five eighth, Junior Amone, have his contract de-registered due to an off-field assault conviction.
Speaking after a scrimmage with Manly, Flanagan said that he understood fan frustrations at the lack of success, but asked for time to get a competitive team on the field.
“I can’t blame them for being impatient, they want their team to win and I love that passion,” he said.
“But there’s not too many players out there on the market who can slot in. It’s a tough market in recruitment.
“Our focus is 2025. We’ve made some changes in 2024 and we’re still looking for some players, but our real focus will be for 2025 and 2026.”
Nevertheless, Flanagan insisted that his team were aiming to be in with a shout for the post-season despite a 16th place finish in 2023.
“(The goal is) to compete right to the end and be in the semifinal race right to the end,” he said.
“We’re going to be a side that’s hard to beat and we’re going to try not to beat ourselves.
“If you look at the sides I’ve coached before, like the Sharks, we’re going to scrap and fight and kick right to the end, and we’ll win games on the back of that.
“We won’t be beating ourselves, we’ll be working really hard and if we add a few classy players in recruitment you’ll start to see us climb the table.”
The coach also revealed that his side had focused on physicality and fitness ahead of footy as they prepared for 2024, with serious work needed on the training paddock to be ready for the rigours of the NRL.
“We’ve had a really good November, December and January,” said Flanagan.
(Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
“We had to change the way we trained and the playing group has worked really hard to change their body composition and the way they move.
“It’s been a big process and a lot of hard work. I have to congratulate the playing group on what they’ve done.
“We haven’t done a lot of team work, we’ve backed off and done the physical work, but we’ve got a month before we start and coming back after Christmas, we put a real focus on getting our team work right.
“I thought with the way that we wanted to play and defend, we needed to move quicker and be a little fitter and stronger.
“With our new high performance staff coming on who I had with me at Cronulla, they understand what type of athlete and middle forward we need.
“It wasn’t a criticism of the players, it was just the way they trained – and we’ve trained differently for three months now and we’re starting to see the results of that now.
“You’ll see during the year that we’re a faster moving, fitter side and hopefully stronger as well.”
The Dragons still have several spots up for grabs in their starting 13, with the coach confirming that Jack Bird will revert to playing centre in 2024.
It creates a logjam in the role, with Moses Suli and Zac Lomax the incumbents from last year. Flanagan insisted that he hadn’t made any decisions yet on who would get first crack.
“Zac could play in the centres as well on the other side,” he explained.
“I’ve got three – four including a young kid, Savelio Tamale, who I think will play a lot of first grade this – who can play in the centres.
“I haven’t pencilled anyone in for that position and they’ll have to fight really hard for it. For me, Birdy’s best position is centre. He’s not the biggest if he has to play in the backrow so it’s either centre or halves for me.
“Jack’s got to go and fight for that jersey for Round 1, I’m not giving it to anyone on reputation or what they’ve done prior. They’ve all got to fight for it.”
(Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
One position that does appear to be sewn up is in the halves – largely because the club has very few options – where Ben Hunt will be partnered by Kyle Flanagan.
Shane said that the addition of his son, a more natural organising playmaker, would bring the best out of captain Hunt at halfback.
“Ben’s enjoyed his time with Kyle because it’s taken a lot of pressure off him,” said the coach.
“The young halves that Ben’s played with before have only played 20 games between them – Kyle’s ticked a few off now, I think he’s up around 80.
“Kyle’s strength is his organisation and that’s taken a lot of pressure off Ben. On big plays, last tackles, the ball isn’t always going to go to Ben all the time.
“There’s someone else organising it for him and that’s freed Ben up to run a little bit more. Ben’s enjoying that.”
Good Grief
Roar Rookie
“Kyle’s strength is his organisation and that’s taken a lot of pressure off Ben. On big plays, last tackles, the ball isn’t always going to go to Ben all the time.” … sorry, how many games have they played together as halves now? How many “big plays”? Is it still zero?
mushi
Roar Guru
Hunt got to a grand final as an organiser. Super coach lost it more than his dro
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
It's small steps for the Dragons, Albo. Guys like Ben Murdoch-Masila and Tom Eiesenhuth are not world beaters but they're certainly better players than those they replaced. Blake Lawrie has the potential to be a seriously good player and Ben Hunt already is. Throw in the Flanagans and I reckon this is comfortably a better outfit and more importantly Flanagan's a better coach (I don't think he's a good fit as an assistant anywhere). All that said, they're not going to get close to the finals, but should win a lot more games than the 5 they won last season. As I mentioned, they lost 7 games by a try or less, so don't need to improve dramatically to finish in that pack vying for 9th to 14th.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Sorry BG, I can't accept that this 2024 squad is any better than the 2023 squad. It is the same squad, with the minor addition of a couple of Flannigans ? Flannigan junior couldn't get a run in the halves at Belmore ? Flannigan senior as assistant coach, had Manly floundering again at Brookie ? No. This squad is no better than last year. The cattle are ordinary, and if the Dragons are to show improvement in 2024, this squad will need to dramatically improve their individual performances across the park. If Flannigan senior can make this happen, he will be a genius.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't think so, it has a pretty permanent damaging effect. As hard as it may sound, might be best for him to put the dream on the back shelf and just focus on getting better. And the team needs to take him out of immediate plans.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
LOL.. you could be right there Tony, just won't be hard to over promise on the '23 16th spot and too early to be going 'belly up'.
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
Yep they bought a premiership via Bennett when Brownie may have set up a dynasty.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I’m sure we’ll see a movie released starring Flanno titled, Poisoned Challice.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Hopefully this works for him & is available here Tony . The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved mirikizumab, on October 26, 2023, a highly effective new treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC), offering a new option to patients battling this chronic and debilitating inflammatory bowel disease.
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
Maybe it a case of "under-promise and over-deliver" DP
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
Ramsey won't be playing again
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Not sure if there’s different levels of Ulcerative Colitis? Hope there is for Cody Ramsay’s sake. My brother had the same thing & it was very nasty . As are the drugs used to control the inflammation. Eventually leading to a removal of some intestines for my brother, which was the only real cure. He’s still around many years later, which is the good news. It’s a life changing condition
andrew
Roar Rookie
Scrimmage- I had to Google it. It's another annoying b s American term. Flanagan, do everyone a favour and keep Americanisms out of Australian sport. Just call it as it is, it was a trial of sorts.
James 7
Roar Rookie
I haven't come across the word 'scrimmage' before. I think it is an American football term. Then again I haven't come across the word 'spine' before aka Tony's recent article. Sort of reminded me of monty pythons 'spam' I am feeling a bit depressed reading all the preseason comments so far but I think the team will be competitive this year. Hopefully we will win the tight games we lost last year .. with a bit of luck and the bounce of the ball goes our way. Ben Hunt should go .. I think he is part of the problem.I would have replaced him with Sullivan no problem. Pity Cody Ramsay took ill. He had some genuine speed and talent about him. Looking forward to a full recovery and hopefully he finds his way back into the side. Such a waste of he doesn't. Greg Bird will be better this year playing centre and with increased fitness. His comments last year about St George supporters not knowing what they were talking about didn't help. Someone said he spends most of his time letting the supporters tyres down in the carpark. Tyrell Sloan .. such a talent but lacks commitment under the high ball and defence. Frustrating player but again hopefully he will come good this year ... the team needs his attack if they have any chance of making the finals. Conservative plays one or two off the ruck won't do it. I am more optimistic this year than last. Not long before kickoff ..
Ben Pobjie
Expert
On the other hand, if they were to do what he says and then get seriously injured, definitely laugh.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
This is the first time I’ve ever heard of rugby league teams having a “scrimmage”. When did that happen?
danwain
Roar Rookie
It's predictable though, did anyone expect this squad to have a no good season? I'm liking what I'm hearing, they are not looking at the short term but trying to position the long term. That's long been the problem the dragons have had.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Sorry Flanno, not buying that. Seems like a premature cry out for us to accept another poor year. And that isn't good enough. I know we won't be lifting the trophy in '24, and probably not in the 8, but no reasons why we can't play a year with pride in the jersey and in personal performances. That's what you need to get out of the players to earn fan's respect and patience, as well as display some positive strategies. No one-out BS, every ruck should aim to string a couple of passes, in or out and progress. Second phase play, tight defence, back each other, run and tackle hard etc etc. Lots of room for improvement so do that before asking us for time. Just do it... no excuses.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
How could I leave out the young Amone saga? :shocked:
Gags
Roar Rookie
“Post-season”? Is this NRL or NFL?