Flanagan Issues Stark Warning to Dragons: ‘Expect a Tough Ride’ as Bennett Throws Shade

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has not held back in expressing his frustration with his players, particularly singling out recent club recruit Lachlan Ilias.

In a dramatic match in Wollongong on Saturday, St George Illawarra held a commanding lead over South Sydney, only to relinquish it at the last moment, losing by just a point.

Late tries from Cody Walker and Sean Keppie, both converted, set the stage for rookie halfback Jamie Humphreys, who secured victory with a long-range field goal in the dying minutes, finishing the game 25-24.

The Red V squandered opportunities to level the score with a field goal of their own but were unable to capitalise.

New Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett took a cheeky jab at the opposition during his post-match remarks.

“They were all over us, high-fiving each other like they had won the match. But we just kept turning up,” Bennett commented.

Meanwhile, Flanagan appeared visibly upset during his own post-match conference.

Notably absent from his squad was captain Damien Cook, who was ruled out due to a “knock to the back of his head.”

Although he didn’t directly criticise Cook, Flanagan hinted that the senior players failed to step up when the game was on the line.

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“In the NRL, sometimes it’s all about mind over matter. You have to put in the work and get the job done,” Flanagan explained.

“Everyone is fatigued; everyone is tired. But it’s the players who can deliver when they’re exhausted who truly shine in the NRL.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough of those players today. We didn’t compete fiercely for long enough.”

With the Dragons having a bye in round three, Flanagan was asked about his plans for the team.

“You definitely wouldn’t want to be one of my players for the next 10 or 12 days, that’s for sure,” he grimaced.

“It’s going to be tough.”

Flanagan was further questioned specifically about Ilias.

The young halfback, who was let go by South Sydney last year before joining the Dragons, didn’t impress as much as his rookie opponent Humphreys during the match on Saturday.

One journalist suggested that Ilias had struggled to adjust to life in the Red V. Flanagan seemed to agree.

“You were here, right?” Flanagan replied.

“I think you can draw your own conclusions.”

This vague remark from Flanagan doesn’t bode well for Ilias, who is looking to prove his worth in the NRL following a challenging departure from the Rabbitohs.