Shane Flanagan conceded the Dragons are lacking class in pressure moments and were unable to overcome a torrid injury toll as their promising 2025 campaign faded out late in the season.
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The Dragons bowed out of their 2025 campaign with a 40-20 loss to the Panthers to ensure they will finish 15th.
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Christian Tuipulotu strained his hamstring in the warm-up against the Panthers in a blow that summed up their luck with injuries this season.
“It’s probably like what’s happened over the last three or four weeks,” Flanagan said.
“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 which were disappointing.
“Then in the second half we fought back within six again or eight again. There was a six again on the 20 minute mark in the second half. The six again, last tackle. That just broke the camels back then.
“They went down and scored and probably kicked out to a little bit more. This year I’ve learned a lot about some individuals and the team.
“We just can’t get it done when we need to. One thing we do get out of is, I heard Wayne speak about it last night.
“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.
“If we’re going to look for one positive that’s it in the club. Also all the time that those young boys have got on the field is valuable.”
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Flanagan was pressed on what needs to change next season for the Dragons to climb up the ladder.
“No injuries, no one in the rehab would be good,” Flanagan said.
“Too many in that space for us. That’s hurt us, the injuries. The two Couchman, Ryan was injured Round 1, Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart and then Valentine Holmes being out for half the year and Moses Suli out for a lot of time as well.
“That hurt us. So injuries would be one thing that I’d cross my fingers that we don’t go through that. I’ve never had to go through this many injuries in a year.
“Let’s be honest, we haven’t got 10 Origin players, so when I do lose my classy players, it’s hard, so if we can have a bit of luck in that space, will be fitter and faster and stronger again next year.
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“I’ll make sure of that because I felt that we got to a certain level and the season came around pretty quickly and we had to maintain what we did but we’ve got Vegas next year and as I said to the boys there now, pre-season starts now.”
Flanagan is confident he has the squad to make the finals next year.
“That’s the plan, I think with Cooky and obviously Gutho’s had a great year for us and then, we’ve got a few new boys coming, a couple more to add, hopefully in the off-season and the experience the young players have gained this year,” Flanagan said.
“Those injured boys back, touch of class obviously, Val and Suli and those players consistently playing we will give it a good shake.”
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Dragons skipper Damien Cook challenged his team to turn their narrow losses into narrow wins to return to the finals in 2026.
“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, and we spoke about we needed to fix it because 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 said.
“We put ourselves under pressure to win all but one game in the last six or something and we chucked everything into the Warriors game, almost pulled off probably one of the greatest club wins, but after that it’s just been tough for the last three weeks.
“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.”