A New Era for the Dragons
Daniel Atkinson, a prized recruit, has found himself at the center of criticism as he attempts to revitalize the struggling St George Illawarra NRL season. After just five games, Atkinson is being accused of “trying too hard” in his role as halfback, which has led to a significant change in the team’s strategy.
The NRL’s only winless team has decided to give Kyle Flanagan the responsibility of leading their attack by placing him in the No.7 jersey upon his return from a concussion. This move signals a shift in the team’s approach, with Atkinson set to transition to the five-eighth position for the crucial game against Manly on Friday. A loss in this match could further intensify the pressure on beleaguered coach Shane Flanagan.
Atkinson faced scrutiny following the Dragons’ fifth consecutive defeat to start the 2026 season, a 32-0 loss at home to North Queensland. The performance highlighted issues with his decision-making, particularly during the first half when a poorly executed kick on the second tackle cost the team their best attacking opportunity.
Dragons forward Emre Guler commented on Atkinson’s eagerness, noting that while his effort is commendable, it sometimes leads to missteps. “You can tell he’s trying too hard,” Guler said. “He gives his all in everything, so I think he’s just trying to create something for us. It was just one of those moments where it didn’t work.”
Flanagan, who is seen as a more natural organizer, will take over the attacking control at halfback, while Atkinson’s running game suits the traditional five-eighth role. However, this switch represents a major change, especially considering Atkinson’s aspirations of taking on a more hands-on role since joining the team from Cronulla this season.
Flanagan and Atkinson tested their new combination during Tuesday morning’s training session, the team’s first since their record-breaking ninth consecutive loss. Some players opted to train at the club’s new center of excellence on their day off on Monday.
Kade Reed, a highly-rated player, has been named on the bench for the upcoming match against Manly. However, the club is cautious about giving the undersized 20-year-old his NRL debut too soon. Lyhkan King-Togia has been moved to the reserves after an underwhelming performance against the Cowboys, marking the only unforced change for coach Flanagan.
Setu Tu comes onto a wing in place of the suspended David Fale, while Tyrell Sloan will step into fullback due to Clint Gutherson’s hamstring injury. Facing Manly in Kieran Foran’s second game as interim coach adds another layer of pressure for the Dragons, highlighting the potential consequences of further losses.
Guler acknowledged that unless the Dragons can climb off the bottom of the ladder, there is a possibility that Flanagan may face the same fate as ex-Manly coach Anthony Seibold. “You’ve got to be silly not to think that’s a possibility,” he said. “But we know what we need to do this week and what we’re playing for and that’s for our club and our fans and our coach.”
The recent loss to the Cowboys provided valuable lessons for the Dragons during Tuesday’s review session. Hooker Jacob Liddle emphasized the importance of taking ownership and accountability for individual performances. “Take ownership, take accountability for your own actions, your own game. There’s been too many errors so you just have to look at yourself in the mirror,” he said.
The Dragons were met with boos from their home crowd at halftime and fulltime at Kogarah Oval, which Guler believes will serve as motivation for the team. “Disappointing but on the other hand we understand,” Guler said. “It’s started a fire within us to make sure we give our fans and members something to be proud of.”
