Stupid expectations: Flanagan won’t talk up title hopes
Scott Bailey |
Shane Flanagan has admitted it would be a “stupid expectation” to claim St George Illawarra can win the premiership, admitting 2026 is a building year.
The Dragons will kick off their season against heavyweights Canterbury in Las Vegas, as the marquee fixture of the Allegiant Stadium event.
Now in his third year at the helm of the Dragons, Flanagan has the core of a good young rising pack which will be bolstered by Keaon Koloamatangi next year.
But there are questions over their points-scoring ability, with halfback Dan Atkinson having never worn No.7 in the NRL before and Kyle Flanagan alongside him.
Flanagan caught attention earlier this week when he conceded the Dragons “aren’t winning the comp this year”, a point he stood by on Friday in Vegas.
“I would love to say we are good enough with the big dog stuff to go at a premiership this year,” the Dragons coach said.
“We will win a lot of footy games this year, but I am just realistic.
“I don’t set stupid expectations. Maybe if I said ‘we are going to win the comp’, that might have got a bit more attention.
“We have had a lot of new staff come in, some new players coming in, Keaon coming in next year.
“We would like to think we are going to get two or three more signings, big ones for next year. We are building towards that.”
What is realistic, according to Flanagan, is a finals finish.
The Dragons have not made the top-eight since 2018, with only Wests Tigers having had a longer finals drought than the Red V.
“Every side will be saying finals, without a doubt,” Flanagan said,
“I think that is where I am at as well. Where you finish in those final series depends how good your season is.”
Flanagan, though, does believe Atkinson is ready to shoulder the responsibility of the No.7 jersey after limited game-time as a utility at Cronulla last year.
The Dragons have made changes to their attack under new assistant Michael Ennis, wanting to play more direct and have their halves roam on both sides of the field.
Atkinson’s last outing at halfback came way back in 2022 while playing Queensland Cup for Sunshine Coast, but the 25-year-old has insisted this week he is not fazed.
“He’s definitely ready from a physical and mental perspective. He’s a lovely young boy and he’s trained well over the pre-season,” Shane Flanagan said.
“He’s got all the attributes to be a halfback in the NRL.
“It’s going to take time but with Daniel, he hasn’t played halfback for an NRL team for three, four years, maybe longer.
“So he’s going to grow into that position and we expect him to do two or three things really well and build his game week to week over the year.”
AAP