Dragons Back Flanagan Until 2028 Amid Finals Drought

Club Confirms Multi-Year Extension for Coach Despite Current Ladder Position

The St George Illawarra Dragons have committed to head coach Shane Flanagan, extending his tenure through to the end of the 2028 NRL season. This significant decision comes as the club faces another year missing the finals, signalling a strong emphasis on long-term vision and stability.

Flanagan Secures Extension

The extended deal, reportedly a two-year agreement, was finalized swiftly after just seven days of discussions between Flanagan and new CEO **Tim Watsford**, alongside chairman **Andrew Lancaster**. Notably, **Flanagan** himself managed the contract negotiations without his agent, **Isaac Moses**.

“The Dragons are pleased to announce the extension of Head Coach Shane Flanagan’s contract for a further two years, securing his leadership through to the end of the 2028 NRL season,” the club said in a statement.

—St George Illawarra Dragons Media

The club highlighted the extension as a reaffirmation of its dedication to stability and growth. CEO **Tim Watsford** praised **Flanagan** for his role in rebuilding belief within the playing group and the wider club community.

“Shane has played a critical role in setting the foundation for where this club is heading,” said Dragons CEO **Tim Watsford**. “He’s re-instilled belief in our playing group, coaches and supporters together with reiterating the privilege of wearing the Red V.”

—Tim Watsford, Dragons CEO

New Recruitment Structure to Support Coach

Supporting **Flanagan**’s strategic direction, the Dragons have appointed **Daniel Anderson** as Head of Recruitment and Pathways. This move aims to bolster the coaching staff with the right talent and depth across all levels of the club.

“The alignment between Shane and Daniel is essential to create lasting success,” **Watsford** added. “It gives us confidence that we are not just making short-term decisions, we are building a sustainable future.”

—Tim Watsford, Dragons CEO

Despite current challenges, **Flanagan** expressed optimism about the team’s trajectory. The Dragons currently sit 11th on the ladder and are preparing to face the Sharks in Round 23. As of August 2024, the NRL competition saw teams like the Penrith Panthers consistently achieve high win percentages, demonstrating the level of performance required for sustained success. The Dragons acknowledge they are striving to reach that benchmark.

Flanagan Identifies Key Missing Pieces

The coach believes the team is close to becoming genuine contenders, needing only “one or two rep players” to elevate their status. He pointed to the need for more established stars to complement the emerging young talent.

“I think we need one or two rep players to become a genuine premiership contender,” he said. “A couple of class players and we’ll get there. We’ve got Val (Holmes), Gutho (Clint Gutherson) and Cookie (Damien Cook) and we need a couple more to complement all the younger ones coming through.”

—Shane Flanagan, Dragons Head Coach

Addressing speculation surrounding his son, **Kyle Flanagan**, **Shane Flanagan** indicated a potential positional shift might be considered as the club actively seeks halves. He emphasized **Kyle**’s need to continue focusing on his own performance.

“Nothing changes for Kyle,” **Flanagan** said. “He’s just gotta keep doing his job. He knows we’re looking for players in the halves. At the moment I think he’s our best option but down the track he’ll maybe transition into another position. He’ll just keep working hard on his game.”

—Shane Flanagan, Dragons Head Coach

**Flanagan** also expressed enthusiasm for his reduced role in recruitment, allowing him to concentrate on coaching duties. He highlighted the positive organizational changes at the club, including a new CEO, chairman, and an upcoming high-performance facility, as indicators of a strong future.