Shane Flanagan is expected to be fired as Dragons coach this morning after the club called a press conference with chairman Andrew Lancaster and chief executive Tim Watsford.<\/p>\n
Flanagan is set to become the second NRL coach sacked this year following a horror start to the season that has seen them lose all seven of their games heading into the traditional Anzac Day clash against the Roosters.<\/p>\n
The man who guided the Sharks to their drought-breaking premiership victory a decade ago will follow Sea Eagles counterpart Anthony Seibold who was sacked after three winless matches, with his departure sparking an incredible turnaround.<\/p>\n
While finals are dead and buried at St George Illawarra, the Red V faithful will be hoping that Flanagan\u2019s departure can do something similar for a proud club that has lost 11 on the trot going back to last year.<\/p>\n
Flanagan joined the Dragons in 2024 but won just 19 of his 55 matches in charge, with recruitment and retention a major issue for a team that has struggled for an attacking spark with stars Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax moving on.<\/p>\n
The veteran coach signed a two-year extension last August, with the second paragraph of the media release proving to be nothing more than a pipe dream. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis extension reaffirms the club\u2019s commitment to stability, growth, and a long-term vision for success both on and off the field,\u201d the August 8 release read.<\/p>\n
Dragons fans have become growlingly frustrated with the direction the club was heading, with their recruitment strategy in the spotlight after the opening seven rounds.<\/p>\n
Valentine Holmes missed 13 tackles against Souths on the weekend, Daniel Atkinson hasn\u2019t registered a try assist in his past three games, while it\u2019s unclear whether Clint Gutherson will play fullback when he returns from injury.<\/p>\n
Star edge forward Jaydn Su\u2019A was sent off on Saturday and is facing a lengthy ban, while he won\u2019t even be at the club next year after agreeing to join the Eels.<\/p>\n
The Dragons have also had to deal with disgruntled young players like Loko Pasifiki Tonga whose request for an early release was knocked back earlier this month which led to his management leaking emails to the media.<\/p>\n
More to come. <\/p>\n