Andrew Johns is intrigued to learn the way Dragons recruit Daniel Atkinson performs alongside rising star Lyhkan King-Togia after an unpleasant harm to Kyle Flanagan lastly compelled the coach right into a halves change.
And fellow NRL legend Brad Fittler believes Dragons coach Shane Flanagan must make extra adjustments to his aspect after a winless begin to the season.
Flanagan’s males at present sit final and play the Cowboys this weekend with loads on the road.
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The coach’s future has change into a speaking level regardless of him being contracted till 2028 after signing an extension final 12 months.
Johns believes the premiership-winner is “protected” for now however there is no doubt he’ll want wins to close down hypothesis.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan. Getty
Flanagan has been coach of the Dragons since 2024 and signed the likes of Valentine Holmes, Damien Cook dinner, Clint Gutherson and Daniel Atkinson whereas Keaon Koloamatangi will land subsequent season.
As a consequence of his position in altering the roster, Fittler believes that now places the onus on Flanagan.
“This aspect has now obtained the coach’s fingerprints on it so I believe that is now the place he’ll begin to really feel the strain as a result of he is put this aspect collectively,” he mentioned on Large World of Sports activities’ Freddy & The Eighth.
“Proper in the mean time, what they’re placing on the sector from the perspective of assault or simply wanting harmful, they are not wanting harmful in any respect. So they will want to vary some personnel within the staff.”
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Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook dinner. Getty
The Roosters legend additionally needs to see extra from the likes of Cook dinner, Gutherson and Atkinson.
“Between them, they have not give you a lot, they have not seemed harmful and I believe they should get collectively and work out their assault and the way they will put strain on groups,” he mentioned.
Flanagan has been compelled into some adjustments for this spherical together with his son Kyle knocked out final week, which implies King-Togia will play five-eighth.
Moses Suli and Toby Couchman are each again from harm whereas David Fale will make his membership debut on the wing, with Tyrell Sloan dropping again to the bench.
Kyle Flanagan is taken from the sector. Getty
Kyle has copped criticism for his type over the previous two years and Johns is curious to see how the brand new halves mixture will work.
“What you’ve got been listening to for the final 18 months or so is round Kyle Flanagan (and his spot within the staff),” he mentioned.
“Kyle obtained knocked out the opposite night time, we want him properly … so King-Togia goes in and that is what individuals from exterior the membership have been screaming for, so let’s examine how they go, after which decide.
“I’ve heard he is (King-Togia) obtained some deficiencies defensively however that is not their points, their situation is scoring factors, so I sit up for watching them go.”
The Dragons face the Cowboys on Saturday afternoon.
