Reporter Paul Crawley says Dragons coach Shane Flanagan \u201cneeds a kill\u201d on the recruitment front and that St George Illawarra currently \u201clack the class\u201d they need to move up the ladder.<\/p>\n
The Dragons announced last week that Flanagan had re-signed with the club for a further two seasons, until the end of 2028.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s despite the Dragons finishing 11th in Flanagan\u2019s first season with the club last year, and also sitting in 11th spot this season.<\/p>\n
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer ><\/a><\/p>\n But now that Flanagan\u2019s future is secure, Crawley believes it\u2019s time for him to strike on the recruitment front.<\/p>\n \u201cFlanagan needs to land a big fish. He needs a kill. He needs a marquee player,\u201d Crawley said on NRL 360 on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n \u201cI really believe he does.\u201d<\/p>\n Co-host Gorden Tallis wondered whether that was the responsibility of Flanagan or the club.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that just on Flanagan or is that on the club?\u201d Tallis asked Crawley.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s on the coach. I truly believe it is,\u201d Crawley responded.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the coach is the pulling power for one of these players.\u201d<\/p>\n Host Braith Anasta asked Crawley if Flanagan was the coach to lure a key signing.<\/p>\n \u201cIs he the coach to draw a big fish?\u201d Anasta asked Crawley.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has to be,\u201d Crawley replied.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause this Dragons squad at the moment, there\u2019s good kids coming through, and he\u2019s got them playing good football, but they lack the class.\u201d<\/p>\n Fellow panellist Dean Ritchie pointed out that Flanagan has already landed star-studded signings.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about Val Holmes, Damien Cook, Clint Gutherson. Some fair players there he\u2019s pulled in,\u201d Ritchie said.<\/p>\n But in his response, Crawley gave context to those signings.<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n TALKING POINTS: \u2018Huge risk\u2019 Broncos\u2019 move; \u2018ridiculous\u2019 Dogs act as hoax exposed<\/a><\/p>\n TEAM TIPS: Madge\u2019s solution to halves crisis; Ciraldo reveal after Dogs axing<\/a><\/p>\n