- Dragons coach Shane Flanagan is continuing his rebuild at the NRL club
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has admitted it would be a ‘stupid expectation’ to claim his team can win the NRL premiership, admitting 2026 is a building year.
The Dragons kick off their season against heavyweights Canterbury in Las Vegas on March 1 AEDT, as the marquee fixture at Allegiant Stadium.
Now in his third year at the helm of the Red V, Flanagan has the core of a good young pack which will be bolstered by Rabbitohs enforcer Keaon Koloamatangi in 2027.
But there are questions over their points-scoring ability, with halfback Daniel Atkinson having never worn No.7 at NRL level previously and Kyle Flanagan alongside him.
Flanagan raised eyebrows earlier this week when he conceded the Dragons ‘aren’t winning the comp this year’, a point he stood by on Friday in Sin City.
‘I would love to say we are good enough with the big dog stuff to go at a premiership this year,’ he said.
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has admitted it would be a ‘stupid expectation’ to suggest his team can win the NRL premiership in 2026 (he is pictured, in Las Vegas)
Speaking ahead of his team’s NRL season opener against the Bulldogs, Flanagan insisted a top-eight finish is more realistic
‘We will win a lot of footy games this year, but I am just realistic.
‘I don’t set stupid expectations. Maybe if I said ‘we are going to win the comp’, that might have got a bit more attention.
‘We have had a lot of new staff come in, some new players coming in, Keaon coming in next year.
‘We would like to think we are going to get two or three more signings, big ones for next year. We are building towards that.’
What is realistic, according to Flanagan, is a finals finish.
The Dragons have not made the NRL top eight since 2018, with only the Wests Tigers having endured a longer finals drought.
‘Every side will be saying finals, without a doubt,’ Flanagan said.
‘I think that is where I am at as well. Where you finish in those final series depends how good your season is.’
Flanagan has backed Daniel Atkinson as his first choice No.7 – despite never starting an NRL game at halfback
Flanagan’s son Kyle will partner Daniel Atkinson in the halves against Canterbury at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday AEDT
Flanagan, though, does believe Atkinson is ready to shoulder the responsibility of the No.7 jersey after limited game-time as a utility at Cronulla last year.
Atkinson has never started an NRL game at halfback.
The Dragons have made changes to their attack under new assistant Michael Ennis, wanting to play more direct and have their halves roam on both sides of the field.
Atkinson’s last outing at halfback came way back in 2022 while playing Queensland Cup for Sunshine Coast, but the 25-year-old insisted this week he won’t be overawed.
‘He’s definitely ready from a physical and mental perspective. He’s trained well over the pre-season,’ Flanagan said.
‘He’s got all the attributes to be a halfback in the NRL, but it’s going to take time.’
Super League champions Hull KR lock horns with the Leeds Rhinos in the opening match of a triple-header at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday from 11am AEDT.
Newcastle then line up against North Queensland (1.15pm AEDT), before the Bulldogs tackle the Dragons (3.30pm AEDT) to round out the action.
