Shane Flanagan is out as Dragons coach, and it means the club’s fanbase may be about to learn a lot about son Kyle’s standing in the team in the coming weeks.
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That is at least according to veteran rugby league reporter Brent Read, who said on NRL 360 that Kyle’s presence in the playing squad had “an impact” on the Dragons dressing room.
The Dragons parted ways with coach Flanagan on Monday after seven straight losses to start the 2026 season, later announcing Dean Young would be stepping in as interim head coach.
While it would be a bit much to throw rookie Kade Reed in this week against the Roosters, the upcoming bye may give Young a chance to evaluate the club’s halves picture and that could mean Flanagan losing his spot.
Shane was insistent during his time as coach that Kyle would lose his spot if he was not performing well enough, but added that he was “within our top three or four players, competitive-wise, week in, week out”.
Shane also called Kyle the “best halfback” in the team, and Read said on Monday night that there was a “view” from members of the dressing room that the now former Dragons coach treated Kyle “differently”.
“Having his son there has had an impact on the dressing room. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that,” Read said.
“There was a view, and we get castigated for saying this, but there was a view that he treated him differently to other players. Whether that is right or wrong, there was a view within that dressing room… and ultimately when you look back at it that’s hurt him a lot.”
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Former NRL playmaker Luke Keary, who previously partnered Kyle in the halves at the Roosters, said on James Graham’s The Bye Round Podcast that he did not think Shane would put his allegiance to his son ahead of the team.
“This is just a personal opinion. I’ve got no knowledge of the situation, but that wouldn’t concern me because I think Flanno is a good enough coach he wouldn’t put that in front of the team,” Keary said when asked if Kyle’s presence would sway him against signing with the Dragons.
“I’ve met Shane and played with Kyle too. I can see there are some optics there where you go, ‘Is that happening’, but I don’t think that would make me hesitate, that exact issue. The club itself would make me hesitate.
Dragons chief executive Tim Watsford was adamant on Monday that Kyle is “contracted through to the end of 2027” when asked about how the club would support the 27-year-old.
“And yes, we’ll provide every means possible to support Kyle,” Watsford added.
“And as we happen, we’ll continue to support Shane. To Andrew’s point, it hasn’t been overly great in terms of how they’ve both been treated, but we’ll continue to wrap our arms around him as a club and move forward.”
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