Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has leapt to the defence of No.7 and son Kyle, with veteran reporter Phil Rothfield questioning “how much further can they go” with their current halves.
The Red V has lost their last two games, going down to the Dolphins in a 56-6 rout before throwing away a halftime lead to lose to the Sharks 30-18.
Earlier this season, Flanagan made the decision to drop halfback recruit Lachlan Ilias, calling on young gun Lykhan King-Togia to partner Kyle Flanagan.
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >
However, that changed failed to spark the Dragons into action, having only won two of six since King-Togia was injected into the first grade side.
There’s been widespread criticism of Flanagan continually picking his son in the halves, with many calling for Ilias’ return after leading the club’s NSW Cup side valiantly.
“It can be really difficult when the coach, no one can ever question Shane Flanagan’s coaching credentials, but his son Kyle is not one of the leading halves in the competition,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast on Monday.
“They have been belted by the Dolphins, then had a second half capitulation against the Sharks on Thursday night.
“Lachlan Ilias, who was dropped at halfback, is going well in NSW Cup. They have won six straight games since he has been there.
“The fans have gone ballistic on social media. Shane Flanagan will pick the best side to win every week, but there is a debate out there whether Kyle Flanagan should be in the side.
“He’s never going to be the flashiest halfback, he’s solid, he’s steady… halfbacks aren’t paid to tackle, but he’s the best defensive halfback in the competition.”
Flanagan has the fewest missed tackles of any No.7 this season with an average of 1.3, leading the likes of Matt Burton who sits in second on 1.8.
He also has 18 try involvements, more than the likes of Luke Brooks, Jarome Luai and Lachlan Galvin.
Shane Flanagan, meanwhile, denied claims his son should be on the chopping block.
“To say Kyle is under pressure is ridiculous,” Flanagan said to Code Sports.
“I think people are looking in the wrong direction.
“He’s been among our best players all year. It’s not me, ask the other players and coaches. I’m probably harder on Kyle than any other player.”
For the Dragons coach, he believes the Red V middle forwards are the root of his side’s problems, failing to lay a platform for their backline.
However, the claims of “nepotism” will still remain as long as the Dragond struggles continue.
“You’ve got to look at what other alternatives are there? You can bring Lachlan Ilias in, do you drop Kyle to the bench?” Rothfield said.
QLD prepare in Perth ahead of Origin II | 02:12
MORE NRL NEWS
‘DIDN’T GO’: Bennett’s brutal response to horror start as players arrive to empty sheds
TOP DOGS: Bulldogs survive late Rabbitohs scare, bizarre 29-min lightning delay
REYNO TO STAY: Reynolds rejects Sydney club for new deal — with one condition
‘HIM OR KYLE’: Blunt warning for Flanno amid Dragons’ ‘elephant in the room’
“The season is slipping away quick and because it’s such a congested competition table, they aren’t done yet. A lot of teams who have struggled are still an outside chance.
“But at the end of the day St George should be in the market for a really big playmaker.
“Nepotism is such a tough claim, a father naturally loves his son and we went through this with Brad Arthur and Jake up at Parramatta.
“I’m glad Ricky Stuart has brought his boy into the side, Jed Stuart. The senior players in the Canberra side before they went to Las Vegas had to approach Ricky because it can work in reverse.
“Because these guys are dads, they can often make it harder for their son because they don’t want to be seen as doing any favours.
Rothfield was of the belief that, for now, Flanagan deserves to keep his position.
“But it certainly is an issue with Kyle Flanagan, personally I don’t think he has done enough to be dropped. I think he is a very reliable player,” he said.
“But how much further can they go with the halves they have got at the moment?”
