Reporter Paul Crawley says Dragons coach Shane Flanagan “needs a kill” on the recruitment front and that St George Illawarra currently “lack the class” they need to move up the ladder.
The Dragons announced last week that Flanagan had re-signed with the club for a further two seasons, until the end of 2028.
That’s despite the Dragons finishing 11th in Flanagan’s first season with the club last year, and also sitting in 11th spot this season.
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But now that Flanagan’s future is secure, Crawley believes it’s time for him to strike on the recruitment front.
“Flanagan needs to land a big fish. He needs a kill. He needs a marquee player,” Crawley said on NRL 360 on Tuesday night.
“I really believe he does.”
Co-host Gorden Tallis wondered whether that was the responsibility of Flanagan or the club.
“Is that just on Flanagan or is that on the club?” Tallis asked Crawley.
“That’s on the coach. I truly believe it is,” Crawley responded.
“I think the coach is the pulling power for one of these players.”
Host Braith Anasta asked Crawley if Flanagan was the coach to lure a key signing.
“Is he the coach to draw a big fish?” Anasta asked Crawley.
“He has to be,” Crawley replied.
“Because this Dragons squad at the moment, there’s good kids coming through, and he’s got them playing good football, but they lack the class.”
Fellow panellist Dean Ritchie pointed out that Flanagan has already landed star-studded signings.
“What about Val Holmes, Damien Cook, Clint Gutherson. Some fair players there he’s pulled in,” Ritchie said.
But in his response, Crawley gave context to those signings.
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“But where was Gutho’s position at Parramatta when he decided to go to the Dragons?” Crawley said.
“Was it his first choice, or was he kind of pushed out of Parramatta?
“Valentine Holmes, looking at a massive haircut.
“Cookie was basically unwanted at South Sydney.
“That’s just the reality. That’s not me picking on Flanno.
“That’s the trouble for the Dragons at the moment. They’re going to struggle to sign a big name player.”
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