Shane Flanagan has been labelled the “good appointment” for a Dragons membership “riddled with dysfunction” as questions have been raised relating to the membership’s teaching choices.
Axed coach Anthony Griffin was allowed to begin the 2023 season earlier than he was knowledgeable he would wish to reapply for his personal job for 2024.
From then on the previous Panthers and Broncos boss was a useless man strolling and subsequently left the function in Might.
Watch each recreation of each spherical of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports activities. New to Kayo? Begin your free trial now >
Flanagan, who gained a premiership with the Sharks in 2016, is ready to take over in 2024 however The Day by day Telegraph’s David Riccio believes he ought to have been employed earlier than this season kicked off.
“This season has been a write-off since February, when the board and administration determined to make the decision on Anthony Griffin and recommend to him that: ‘we might or might not go along with you past this season’,” Riccio mentioned on NRL360 on Tuesday night time.
“From that very level the whole season was a waste of time.
“To Crawls’ level, they need to have made the decision late final yr, transfer on, and get this season underway with a brand new future – full recruitment for achievement on the sector. It simply hasn’t occurred.”
The Day by day Telegraph’s Paul Crawley additionally declared Flanagan as the proper man to show the Dragons’ fortunes round.
“It’s a pity it’s taken this lengthy. They may have made choice final yr and so they in all probability would have had Flanagan on board proper now,” Crawley mentioned.
“For the membership in the mean time, it’s in all probability not the selection I’d have made, I’ll be trustworthy with you.
“However for the membership in the mean time, having an skilled coach along with his credentials to take over, it’s a great match.”
Riccio additionally despatched a giant warning to followers of the Purple V membership — urging them to not get forward of themselves as Flanagan makes an attempt a membership overhaul.
“Completely Shane Flanagan is the proper man for this job. That is an unimaginable job so far as rebuilding is anxious,” Riccio mentioned.
“It have to be mentioned that Dragons followers want to grasp that Shane Flanagan coming in, he can’t be seen as this nice panacea so far as fixing this complete membership.
“It is a membership riddled with dysfunction. They’re divided at board degree and a coach coming in can’t be anticipated to repair the world’s issues so far as St George Illawarra are involved.
“Nonetheless, it’s a great begin… given his success from backside to prime, good appointment.”
“I feel he’s the proper man for the job… I feel the followers wanted a solution and I feel along with his expertise and what he’s performed – it’s a giant job,” league legend Gorden Tallis added.
Because it stands, Flanagan is employed as Anthony Seibold’s assistant coach on the Sea Eagles and his contract with the Dragons is ready to start in 2024.
Nonetheless, the “ultimate” state of affairs for St George Illawarra could be to start as quickly as potential and Tallis defined “there’s lots of work to do”.
“He has a place at Manly. I don’t know what the phrases of that settlement are. It could be ultimate, wouldn’t it, to return in and take over. I feel he’s acquired the expertise,” Crawley mentioned.
“I’d need to get there as fast as potential. If I’m head coach I’d need to get my fingers everywhere in the joint. If there’s lots of work to do, the faster you begin the higher probability you’ve acquired of ending,” Tallis added.
However Riccio revealed Flanagan will doubtless stay on the Manly membership till the season’s finish.
“Speaking to Manly officers, all indications are that Shane feels somewhat indebted to the Sea Eagles for the best way they’ve helped him get his teaching profession again on monitor,” Riccio mentioned.
“He could be greater than snug sticking round to see them by way of to the finals this yr.”
Initially printed as ‘Riddled with dysfunction’: Why ‘good’ Flanagan ought to already be Dragons coach
