Flanagan calls on Dragons to limit inconsistent performances as must-win Dogs clash looms

St George Illawarra Dragons coach Shane Flanagan admits he is frustrated with his team’s inconsistency across the 2024 season but is happy with his side’s ability to respond after a loss.

After just six days removed from an embarrassing 46-10 defeat at home against the Penrith Panthers in Round 21, the Dragons shocked the Melbourne Storm with a two-point win in Round 22 - their first win in Victoria in 25 years.

One of the more bizarre stats to emerge from 2024 is that the Dragons have won four out of five matches the week after they have conceded 40 or more points. Flanagan gave no excuse for the many blowout losses in 2024 but said he is pleased with the response and character from his players.

“Good coaching means you shouldn’t get beat by 40 points,” Flanagan said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“This group is new to me and we’ve had a lot of new players this year.

“There’s no excuse to get beat by 40 in this competition but we get straight to reviewing it. We are filthy about some of those losses.

“The players just need to trust in the systems and each other and it takes a bit of time with some of them.

“It’s about changing the mindset of players that have had a tough time and been down the bottom of the competition table.

“It’s not easy because you can get them up for one week but the challenge is to get them up week in and week out.

“This time of the year, you can’t afford to get beat by 40 points or for us, to lose another game so we’ve got to be up for all these games over the next month.”

The Dragons have already begun looking at recruitment for the 2025 season as players such as Zac Lomax prepare to head to other teams but the club has reportedly informed Blake Lawrie and Jack Bird that they are free to look for better deals.

Flanagan confirmed to SEN that the Dragons will be an active player in the off-season as they look to improve their roster.

“I feel now that we’ve done a bit of work on Jayden Su’A, he can shift into the centres,” Flanagan added.

“I like having four forwards on my bench (and) we are definitely in the market for at least one front rower.

“Don’t know if we will be able to get two in our salary cap but we are certainly in the market for a front rower and also an outside back.

“We are short of one big front rower and a different type of body shape.

“They are not easy to find but we are in the market for it.”

The Dragons host the Bulldogs in a must-win clash in Kogarah on Saturday night in Round 23.