LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Shane Flanagan revealed that his son Kyle is aware the Dragons are exploring new options for the halves position. This comes shortly after the announcement of a significant two-year contract extension for Flanagan as the head coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons until the end of the 2028 season. Despite the team likely missing the NRL finals for the second consecutive year, the club is committed to supporting Flanagan's vision to revive the team's past successes.
The announcement of Flanagan's extension indicates the club's dedication to stability and long-term goals for both on-field and off-field success. According to Dragons CEO Tim Watsford, "Shane has played a critical role in setting the foundation for where this club is heading. He's re-instilled belief in the playing group, coaches and supporters together with reiterating the privilege of wearing the Red V."
Currently, the Dragons are positioned 11th in the league standings as they prepare to face Flanagan's former team, the Cronulla Sharks. Although they still have a mathematical chance of reaching the finals, they would need to win all five remaining matches, including challenging games against top teams like the Warriors and Panthers.
In his second year as head coach, Flanagan's squad has shown signs of improvement, though a series of injuries has hindered their progress. There are still uncertainties regarding whether the team possesses the necessary playmakers to elevate their performance to the next level.
The addition of Sharks playmaker Daniel Atkinson for the next season is expected to provide a boost, but it remains unclear who will partner him in the halves during the 2026 season. Flanagan's son Kyle has performed commendably in the No.7 position this season, but has faced criticism during the team's losses, prompting the coach to reject claims of nepotism as he continues to select him.
Flanagan has stated that his son understands that the club is actively searching for other halves options and indicated that Kyle might transition to a different role in 2026. "Nothing changes for Kyle. He's just gotta keep doing his job," the coach affirmed after confirming his extension.