Prominent NRL figures Luke Keary and James Graham have sharply criticized the St George Illawarra Dragons following the club’s decision to part ways with coach Shane Flanagan.
Podcast Hosts Deliver Blunt Assessment
On The Bye Round Podcast, Roosters star Luke Keary and former Dragons player James Graham condemned the joint venture’s handling of the sacking. The announcement came after the team’s worst-ever start to an NRL season, marked by an 11-match winless streak dating back to 2025.
Dragons chairman Andrew Lancaster and CEO Tim Watsford addressed the media in an impromptu press conference, describing the separation as a mutual agreement.
Criticism of Press Conference
Keary described the club as ‘a mess’ and predicted ongoing struggles. ‘This club is a mess. There’s no other way to explain it, and I don’t think this (the club’s tough run) is over,’ he said.
He further dismissed the press conference, calling it ‘crap’ and questioning Lancaster’s remarks blaming mainstream media for negative coverage. ‘That presser was to have a go at people in the media,’ Keary noted. ‘[Lancaster said] the coverage of this club has been poor. Readers and viewers and listeners deserve better. Well go on, say what you think has been poor.’
Graham, who played 51 games for the Dragons, echoed the sentiment. ‘No one has been unfair. Nobody has been unfair in their coverage. You know what would be a disservice to them [the fans]? To polish this turd,’ he stated. He dismissed talk of positives like the new Centre of Excellence, adding, ‘No listener, no viewer wants to hear that. Stop dodging the question.’
Uncertainty Over Interim Coach
Keary questioned the lack of an immediate interim appointment, with assistants Dean Young and Michael Ennis as frontrunners and former Dragon Ben Hornby also linked. Graham suggested internal disagreements between the merged clubs’ factions, saying, ‘The translation is, there’s two sides that need to make a decision, and they can’t agree. One wants Ennis and one doesn’t, one wants Young and one doesn’t.’
He proposed a compromise candidate like former Dragons great Mark ‘Piggy’ Riddell, currently an NRLW assistant coach.
The Dragons face the Sydney Roosters in the traditional ANZAC Day clash this weekend, hoping to reverse their fortunes. Officials plan to name an interim coach tomorrow.
