![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\nShane Flanagan has warned a scary surge could be on the cards for the Dragons, referencing his premiership-winning campaign with the Sharks in 2016 which begun similar to his 2025 season.<\/p>\n
The Red V slumped to a third-straight defeat to start their year against the Eels in a contest, going down 30-20 in a contest there for the taking.<\/p>\n
However, their ugly form slump isn\u2019t a cause for concern according to Flanagan, who has been in this position in the past \u2014 albeit with \u201cnot a similar team\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you know, I look back and this is not a similar team, but I think I lost three in-a-row in 2016 and we won 15 in-a-row,\u201d Flanagan said.<\/p>\n \u201cSo don\u2019t worry, certain sides are going to lose three in-a-row during the year. Unfortunately, we\u2019ve lost three at the start. <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe it\u2019s a really good kickstart for us, that\u2019s the way I\u2019ll be using it. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not what we wanted, but you know, we\u2019ve got no one else to blame our ourselves and we\u2019ll be looking at it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n The Dragons held 52 per cent of possession and won the territory battle with 61 per cent, while also missing 10 less tackles than their opponent.<\/p>\n But while Flanagan\u2019s outfit had the chances to seal a maiden win in 2026, they were unable to capitalise on moments that were \u201cfrustrating\u201d to watch.<\/p>\n Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n Moses: ‘He said he didnt hear me!’ | 05:46<\/p>\n \u201cWe just beat ourselves to be really honest,\u201d Flanagan said.<\/p>\n \u201cFought hard, efforts there, created opportunities, beat ourselves with errors… There was quite a few of those you know, frustrating to watch.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had an opportunity, we just didn\u2019t execute. Credit to them, they scrambled. But you know, as I said the first thing, we beat ourselves.<\/p>\n \u201cWe should have executed a few things. We stripped them for numbers a couple of times and just couldn\u2019t get it done.<\/p>\n \u201cWe made more line breaks, every stat that was there we were in front. But we didn\u2019t win on the scoreboard, that\u2019s all that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n Skipper Damien Cook echoed his coach\u2019s opinion, delivering a similar sentiment to that of his emotional sideline interview after the Dragons\u2019 golden point heartbreak in Las Vegas.<\/a><\/p>\n Pezet penalty-try sparks debate | 00:29<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n TIGERS NIGHTMARE: Unsung Souths hero stars as Tigers lose both halves<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018YOU HAVEN\u2019T GOT THE MESSAGE\u2019: Wayne defends Latrell in classic presser<\/a><\/p>\n