NRL legend Billy Slater was dumbfounded by Shane Flanagan‘s assertion that the Dragons won’t win the premiership this year before the season had even started.
Flanagan caused a stir late last week after he made the comment in an interview with Nine’s Danny Weidler, even though the team had not yet taken to the field to kick off the season in Vegas.
The Dragons coach doubled down on his surprise assessment of the team a day later, recognising the importance of no “stupid expectations” being put on his players.
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“I’d love to say that we’re good enough t go with the big dogs this year. We will win a lot of footy games, but I am realistic,” he told reporters on Saturday (AEDT).
Flanagan instead made clear that it was his goal to push the Dragons into the top eight for a first finals campaign in eight years.
But his latest comments could create an unwanted ripple effect within the team, according to Slater.
“I just think it’s going to have a psychological affect on the playing group,” he said on Wide World of Sports’ The Billy Slater Podcast.
The Dragons celebrate a try in Las Vegas. Getty
“I’m a big believer in there’s more than one way to do things and there’s more than one way to coach, or to help your team along their journey and all that sort of stuff.
“But at the same time, like would I ever think of saying that? Absolutely not.
“I just don’t understand saying something like that before a game has even been played.
“I’ve been involved in this game for over two decades now as a player and as a coach, and I’ve never never once thought or felt like I was anything but on top of the competition, whatever competition I was in.
“Even if you weren’t, and you don’t win everything. That’s a reality.
“But if you’re not in it to challenge for (the premiership) … I just don’t understand putting a ceiling on your footy team. That’s the big one.”
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Dragons coach Shane Flanagan. Getty
Slater pointed to the success the Dragons had against a club who he believes will be inside the top four, pushing the Bulldogs into golden point in a Vegas thriller.
Canterbury skipper Stephen Crichton separated the teams deep into extra time, nailing a field goal to win 15-14.
With that result in mind, Slater refused to rule out a surprise run for the Dragons.
“The footy team, they might surprise everyone. Who knows?,” he said.
“They’ve got enough good players in their footy team. Sure, every team is building, every team is trying to improve, but I just don’t understand the motive behind that comment.
“You haven’t even made a tackle in this season, haven’t even kicked the ball, and you come so close to winning round one against one of the premiership heavyweights. I think the Bulldogs will be in the top four, and they’re competing against them.
“I just think it’s going to have a psychological affect on the playing group. I’m sure it has. I’m sure they all heard it. Players hear everything these days.”
Slater praised Flanagan for recognising that he should not have openly ruled his team out of the premiership race, although his stance on the comments still stood.
“He understands that is going to have a psychological affect on his team,” Slater said.
“We all talk about how much the mental side of the game is important and how big that part of the game is. Obviously, he’s probably just being honest and how he feels, but I wouldn’t like my coach saying that.”
The Dragons will host the Melbourne Storm in their second round clash at WIN Stadium on March 14.