'I've had enough': Furious Shane Flanagan blows up at players, storms out of post-match press conference

A furious Shane Flanagan has stormed out of his post-match press conference following his side's record-breaking loss to the Eels.

The Dragons were woeful for the first hour, and trailed 44-12 with 10 minutes left in the match before mounting what would have been the biggest ever comeback to go down 44-40.

Speaking to media after the match, the coach ripped his troops, and apologised to the club's fans and sponsors.

FOLLOW LIVE: NRL round 26 Saturday action

FOLLOW LIVE: Paris Paralympics day three

READ MORE: Dragons' finals hopes dashed in 84-point thriller

"Disgraceful first half. I apologise to the Dragons fans, sponsors, everyone," he said.

"It was just not good enough. I've got to take ownership for that, it's just not good enough for a Red V jersey. That first 40 minutes was just not acceptable.

"We were terrible. Absolutely terrible. (It looked like) our first day together."

"I can dissect it many, many different ways, but the first half wasn't acceptable for this jersey and we needed to be accountable for."

The Dragons had three tries denied in the first half, but also made a string of errors and lacked discipline.

Flanagan was asked if he'd be open to making any changes for the Dragons' final match of the year, but gave only a brief answer before walking out.

"Unless I go down to A grade and get some players, I won't be making any changes," he said.

"I don't want to be rude but I've had enough. Thank you."

Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

The press conference lasted less than three minutes.

Not even the best were immune from errors. Skipper Ben Hunt easily fell off a tackle on Shaun Lane as the Eels front-rower ran in to score just before half time.

"I'm very disappointed … it was all there for us to go and get it and push to the finals," Hunt said.

"To toss up a performance like that in the first half, it's just unacceptable – myself included.

"It's not NRL standard."

Hunt said the team had put in a strong week at training, and didn't see the loss coming. 

The Dragons were immediately put on the back foot when Mikaele Ravalawa knocked on in the opening set.

"I didn't see it coming – I thought we had a good preparation. It was just right from that first set, we fell in a hole," Hunt said.

While the comeback would've been the biggest in NRL history, the 40 points the Dragons scored is the biggest losing score in first grade history.