Shane Flanagan Slams Dragons After Collapse, Puts Lachlan Ilias on Notice
St. George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan didn’t hold back in his criticism of his players following their dramatic collapse against South Sydney, hinting that new recruit Lachlan Ilias could be in the firing line.
The Dragons had a commanding two-try lead over the Rabbitohs in Wollongong on Saturday but failed to hold on, ultimately losing by a single point. Late tries from Cody Walker and Sean Keppie, both converted, allowed Souths to draw level before rookie halfback Jamie Humphreys sealed a 25-24 victory with a long-range field goal in the final minutes.
Despite opportunities to respond with a field goal of their own, the Red V failed to capitalize, leaving Flanagan fuming.
Wayne Bennett’s Subtle Dig and Flanagan’s Frustration
Following the match, Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett took a swipe at the Dragons’ premature celebrations.
“They were all over us, jumping around, giving high fives—they thought they had won the game,” Bennett said. “We just kept showing up.”
Flanagan, meanwhile, cut an exasperated figure in his post-game press conference. Notably absent alongside him was captain Damien Cook, with the coach citing a “knock to the back of his head” as the reason. While he didn’t single out Cook directly, Flanagan suggested that the team’s senior players failed to step up in the crucial moments.
“In the NRL, sometimes it just comes down to mind over matter—you’ve got to get there, you’ve got to get it done,” Flanagan said.
“Everyone’s fatigued, everyone’s tired, but the players who can push through that fatigue and deliver when it matters are the ones who stand out.
“We just didn’t have any of them today. We didn’t compete hard enough for long enough.”
Tough Days Ahead for the Dragons
With a bye in round three, Flanagan was asked about his plans for the team during the break. His response left no doubt that the squad is in for a grueling period.
“You wouldn’t want to be one of my players for the next 10 or 12 days, that’s for sure,” he said with a grimace. “It’s not going to be pretty.”
Ilias Under Pressure
Ilias, who joined the Dragons after being discarded by South Sydney last year, struggled against his former club and was overshadowed by his rookie counterpart Humphreys. When asked about the playmaker’s adaptation to his new team, Flanagan’s response was cryptic but telling.
“You were here, weren’t you?” he said to a journalist. “You’re smarter than that—you can make your own assessment.”
The comment suggests Ilias has yet to convince his coach, adding further pressure as he tries to re-establish himself in the NRL following his abrupt exit from the Rabbitohs.
