Shane Flanagan is officially back chalking up wins in the NRL.
After a five-year hiatus as a head coach, the Dragons coach enjoying a thumping 28-4 win on the Gold Coast thanks to a hat-trick from fullback Tyrell Sloan.
Kyle Flanagan also put a huge smile on his father’s face after the coach’s son scored a great solo try in the second half.
Flanagan threw a big dummy and crossed the line almost untouched almost untouched and then celebrated passionately pointing to his badge.
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Sloan scored the first try on the Gold Coast after backing up Raymond Faitala-Mariner beautifully to race through in the third minute.
But after a string of errors from the visitors the Titans hit back when Tom Weaver put a smart grubber in for speedster Alofiana Khan-Pereira in the 35th minute.
The Dragons created plenty more chances in the first half but they also came up with more mistakes, leading the error count 9-2 as the Gold Coast trailed 6-4 at the break.
But it was all St George Illawarra in the second half as they blew the Titans off the park with four unanswered tries.
Zac Lomax was filthy after Flanagan moved him to the wing this season, but he had a blinder with a career-high 247 run metres and a try.
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MATCH PREVIEW
This clash marks the beginning of two new coaching eras as Des Hasler’s Titans host Shane Flanagan’s Dragons on the Gold Coast.
They’re two clubs who have struggled to play to their potential in recent years and now they’re being led by coaches who pride themselves on defence.
That said, this could easily be a shootout if opposing veteran halfback Ben Hunt gets the support they’ve been craving.
Titans No. 6 Kieran Foran is a late scratching for an undisclosed reason with young half Tom Weaver coming into the side to partner Tanah Boyd. Isaac Lui has also come into the starting side at lock with Keenan Palasia shifted to the bench.
Dragons prop Blake Laurie (ribs) hasn’t pulled up in time which sees new recruit Raymond Faitala-Mariner comes into the starting side in the second row with Tom Eisenhuth shifting to lock and Jack de Belin moving into the front row. Ben Murdoch-Masila comes onto the bench.
Flanagan told foxsports.com.au there is no shortage of talent in his squad but it was about making sure they consistently produce it.
Titans star AJ Brimson believes backrower Beau Fermor is ready for a “big year” after missing all of 2023 following a knee injury.
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