‘Flanagan’s Crossroads: A Tough Decision Between His Career and Kyle’

The situation has been palpable ever since Shane Flanagan brought his son Kyle on board at the Dragons, and the pressure is certainly ramping up.

Following Thursday night’s defeat to Cronulla, the criticism aimed at the halfback has intensified, with calls for Kyle to be dropped escalating rapidly.

Flanagan has managed only four try assists in 13 matches this season—the same tally he achieved last year—but has had to shoulder additional responsibilities since the off-season exit of former captain Ben Hunt.

The 26-year-old has been involved in three games this year where the Saints held a lead of two converted tries only to succumb to defeats against the Rabbitohs, Eels, and Sharks, sparking significant frustration among the club’s fervent supporters.

On Triple M’s Sunday Sin Bin, league icon Gorden Tallis was informed by host Ben Dobbin that coach Flanagan was unlikely to drop his own son, to which he bluntly replied.

“Why would he? If he isn’t performing, that’s the reality,” Tallis stated.

“What lies ahead is either his job or Kyle’s.

“He can keep giving him a chance, but that could ultimately cost him his position. It’s a tough predicament, similar to the one faced if you’re coaching Nathan Cleary, like Ivan does.

“I remember seeing Brad Arthur and his son facing boos; it was a tough call to make. Coaching your own son when things aren’t working out is a challenging position.”

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Kyle Flanagan has been let go by both the Roosters and Bulldogs throughout his career, but found a new opportunity at St George Illawarra after his father’s appointment as head coach.

Initially, he was considered for a potential utility or dummy-half role but ended up playing the bulk of the 2024 season at five-eighth alongside Hunt.

Since the messy exit of the former captain, Flanagan has alternated between the No.6 and No.7 jerseys but has struggled to deliver consistent performances in either role.

Earlier this season, following a disappointing Anzac Day loss, Lachlan Ilias was relegated to reserve grade while Lyhkan King-Togia was brought into the team.

Since then, the Red V have experienced a mixed bag of results in first grade, though they’ve seen the NSW Cup team notch up six consecutive wins with Ilias and Jonah Glover pairing up in the halves.

However, former Dragons player James Graham, who spent three years with the club, noted that the criticism directed at Flanagan was “easy” for outsiders and raised concerns about whether any internal halfback could address the team’s challenges.

“It brings additional scrutiny,” he remarked.

“People tend to gravitate toward easy targets … whether rightly or wrongly, they focus on that.

“I genuinely don’t see who the Dragons can rely on from within. Perhaps they should consider an external option for a halfback.

“I know they have [Daniel] Atkinson lined up for next year and Ilias biding his time.

“That match on Thursday featured some avoidable blunders.

“Given the current squad’s makeup, they simply can’t afford to undermine themselves.”

The Dragons are poised for their final bye of the season in round 16 before tackling the Eels, Raiders, Roosters, and Bulldogs in a challenging stretch.

Since the 2010 premiership under the iconic Wayne Bennett, the club has struggled to make finals appearances, enduring four full-time head coaches—Steve Price, Paul McGregor, Anthony Griffin, and most recently, Flanagan.