Shane Flanagan, the head coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons, expressed satisfaction with his team’s mentality during their hard-fought victory against the Manly Sea Eagles on Saturday. This win in Wollongong ended their two-game losing streak, which had seen them fall short against the Dolphins and North Queensland Cowboys in the previous weeks.
The loss to the Cowboys, especially after leading 18-4 at one point, was particularly disappointing for the Dragons. However, their victory over Manly, despite a messy game marred by errors, brought their season record to two wins and two losses, marking an important moment for the club.
Flanagan emphasized the significance of the win, stating that it was crucial for the team to return to their style of play after slipping into bad habits in recent matches. He had been emphasizing defensive resilience throughout the week and was pleased that his team delivered in that aspect. Convincing the Dragons of their abilities has been challenging, given their history of struggling in the league and the turnover of coaches, including the mid-2023 sacking of Anthony Griffin.
Despite shortcomings in certain areas, particularly their completion rate, Flanagan commended his team’s defensive resolve, limiting a talented Manly side to just six points. He stressed the need for consistency in their performances, believing that they possess the talent required for success.
The Dragons’ defensive strategy successfully neutralized key Manly player Tom Trbojevic, who made several uncharacteristic errors during the game. Flanagan acknowledged the team’s specific plan to contain Trbojevic and believed they executed it effectively.
With the win, the Dragons currently sit in 12th place on the table, but are only two points away from the top, highlighting the tight competition early in the season. They face a challenging fixture against the Newcastle Knights next Friday before matches against the Wests Tigers and New Zealand Warriors leading up to their traditional Anzac Day clash with the Sydney Roosters.
