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'Gotta live with it': Shane Flanagan's blunt reply as axe hangs after seventh-straight loss

Damien McCartney
Damien McCartney

Updated . First published at

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Shane Flanagan declared he's still the right man to lead the Dragons despite the Red V falling to a seventh straight loss on Saturday night.

The Dragons led during the first half, but conceded tries on either side of half time despite having a player advantage.

Even still, the Dragons were largely in the contest until Jaydn Su'A was sent off after he had a brain snap and floored Cameron Murray with about 12 minutes to go.

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He will likely be facing a lengthy stint on the sideline, as will Jacob Liddle with a suspected hamstring injury. Neither helped Flanagan's case.

"When things are going bad, they're going bad," he told media.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan leaves the field at the conclusion of the round seven NRL match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and St George Illawarra Dragons at Accor Stadium, on April 18, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan believes he's still the man to lead the club despite seven-straight losses. Getty

"It was a plan to give Lids a start and when things are going bad, they sure do."

With pressure set to only increase, Flanagan was asked directly if he still believes he's the man for the job.

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"Of course it puts pressure on - it puts me and the club under pressure," he said.

"We're not winning footy games and I understand that. It's a business of winning and we're not winning.

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"I get to work every day and all I can do is do my best to prepare the players the best I can, and if it doesn't work and they decide to make another decision, well I've just got to live with it."

Dragons skipper Damien Cook - who Flanagan had elected to bench in favour of Liddle, only to get a recall to the starting side after his injury - said it was up to the players to help Flanagan keep his job.

"He's done everything he can - it's up to us," Cook said.

"We lost it in yardage tonight … our discipline, we didn't put enough pressure on them."

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The Dragons will take on the Roosters in the traditional Anzac Day clash next weekend.

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