Shane Flanagan, head coach of the St. George Illawarra Dragons, has openly acknowledged the team’s lack of class in high-pressure moments following a season that promised much but delivered little. The Dragons’ 2025 campaign concluded with a 40-20 defeat to the Panthers, cementing their position at 15th on the ladder.
Injuries have plagued the Dragons throughout the season, epitomized by Christian Tuipulotu’s hamstring strain during the warm-up against the Panthers. This latest setback underscored the team’s misfortune with injuries, a factor Flanagan believes significantly contributed to their underwhelming performance.
Season of Struggles and Learning
Reflecting on the season, Flanagan said, “It’s probably like what’s happened over the last three or four weeks. In the first half, it was 10-6, and we were really in it. We had 10 minutes to go, and they scored two quick tries. Our defensive errors were disappointing.”
Despite their efforts to rally in the second half, the Dragons fell short. “There was a six again on the 20-minute mark in the second half. The six again, last tackle. That just broke the camel’s back then,” Flanagan lamented. “In the end, the injury toll and lack of class in crucial moments hurt us.”
“Some of the players have played a lot of first grade this year that probably shouldn’t have or wouldn’t have if we didn’t have the injuries, and they’ll be better for it next year,” Flanagan added, highlighting a silver lining to the challenging season.
Injury Crisis and Future Prospects
The Dragons’ injury woes were a recurring theme, with key players like Ryan Couchman, Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart, Valentine Holmes, and Moses Suli missing significant portions of the season. “No injuries, no one in the rehab would be good,” Flanagan stated when asked about changes needed for the next season.
Flanagan emphasized the impact of losing key players, noting, “Let’s be honest, we haven’t got 10 Origin players, so when I do lose my classy players, it’s hard.” He remains optimistic about the future, with plans to bolster the squad and a focus on fitness and strength for the upcoming year.
Leadership and Lessons Learned
Dragons captain Damien Cook echoed Flanagan’s sentiments, urging the team to convert narrow losses into wins. “We probably spoke about the start of the year, the one-point losses, we had a few of those, three one-point losses and a couple of two points,” Cook said. “These are going to be the games that keep us out of the eight at the end of the year, and that’s what happened.”
Cook highlighted the team’s valiant effort against the Warriors, which he described as “almost one of the greatest club wins.” However, the emotional and physical toll of that match left the Dragons struggling in the final weeks of the season.
“I feel like we threw a lot into that, and a lot of the young boys will get a lot of experience out of the last three weeks,” Cook noted, emphasizing the developmental benefits for the team’s younger players.
Looking Ahead: Building for 2026
As the Dragons look to the future, Flanagan is confident in his squad’s potential to reach the finals next year. “That’s the plan, I think with Cooky and obviously Gutho’s had a great year for us,” he said, expressing optimism about the contributions of experienced players and new recruits.
The Dragons aim to capitalize on the experience gained by their young players and the return of injured stars like Valentine Holmes and Moses Suli. With a renewed focus on fitness and a touch of class, the team hopes to make a significant impact in the 2026 season.
As the Dragons prepare for the next chapter, the lessons learned from this challenging season will undoubtedly shape their approach, with a clear goal of climbing the ladder and returning to the finals.
