Shane Flanagan has been labelled the “perfect 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 want 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 May.
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Flanagan, who gained a premiership with the Sharks in 2016, is about to take over in 2024 however The Daily 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 management decided to make the call on Anthony Griffin and suggest to him that: ‘we may or may not go with you beyond this season’,” Riccio mentioned on NRL360 on Tuesday evening.
“From that very point the entire season was a waste of time.
“To Crawls’ point, they should have made the call late last year, move on, and get this season underway with a new future – full recruitment for success on the field. It just hasn’t happened.”
The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Crawley additionally declared Flanagan as the appropriate man to show the Dragons’ fortunes round.
“It’s a pity it’s taken this long. They could have made decision last year and they probably would have had Flanagan on board right now,” Crawley mentioned.
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“For the club at the moment, it’s probably not the choice I would have made, I’ll be honest with you.
“But for the club at the moment, having an experienced coach with his credentials to take over, it’s a good fit.”
Riccio additionally despatched a giant warning to followers of the Red V membership — urging them to not get forward of themselves as Flanagan makes an attempt a membership overhaul.
“Absolutely Shane Flanagan is the right man for this job. This is an incredible job as far as rebuilding is concerned,” Riccio mentioned.
“It must be said that Dragons fans need to understand that Shane Flanagan coming in, he can’t be seen as this great panacea as far as fixing this entire club.
“This is a club riddled with dysfunction. They are divided at board level and a coach coming in can’t be expected to fix the world’s problems as far as St George Illawarra are concerned.
“However, it’s a good start… given his success from bottom to top, perfect appointment.”
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“I think he’s the right man for the job… I think the fans needed an answer and I think with his experience and what he’s done – it’s a big job,” league legend Gorden Tallis added.
As it stands, Flanagan is employed as Anthony Seibold’s assistant coach on the Sea Eagles and his contract with the Dragons is about to start in 2024.
However, the “ideal” state of affairs for St George Illawarra could be to start as quickly as potential and Tallis defined “there’s a lot of work to do”.
“He has a position at Manly. I don’t know what the terms of that agreement are. It would be ideal, wouldn’t it, to come in and take over. I think he’s got the experience,” Crawley mentioned.
“I’d want to get there as quick as possible. If I’m head coach I’d want to get my fingers all over the joint. If there’s a lot of work to do, the quicker you start the better chance you’ve got of finishing,” Tallis added.
But Riccio revealed Flanagan will probably stay on the Manly membership till the season’s finish.
“Talking to Manly officials, all indications are that Shane feels a little indebted to the Sea Eagles for the way they’ve helped him get his coaching career back on track,” Riccio mentioned.
“He would be more than comfortable sticking around to see them through to the finals this year.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au