Dragons Snag Long-Awaited Victory Amidst Coaching Uncertainty
The St George Illawarra Dragons have finally broken their winless drought, securing a thrilling 30-26 victory over the Brisbane Broncos on Sunday afternoon. This hard-fought win marks their first in a staggering 295 days, a significant milestone that arrives as the season reaches its halfway point. Coincidentally, this marks the third consecutive encounter between these two clubs where the final score has been a remarkably consistent 30-26.
The man at the helm during this historic win, interim coach Ryan Young, has been instrumental in guiding the club to their first success of the season. Young, who stepped into the interim role earlier this season following the departure of Shane Flanagan, has been candid about the club’s situation and the pressing questions surrounding its future coaching direction.
Coaching Crossroads: Young’s Ambitions and Player Concerns
Appearing on the popular rugby league program 100% Footy, Young faced direct questioning about his aspirations for the full-time coaching position. When the proposition of him taking the reins permanently was put to him, his response was immediate and clear. However, further probing from prominent league figures like Phil Gould revealed a lack of formal discussions regarding Young assuming the role on a permanent basis.
The General Manager of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Gould, pressed the Dragons’ interim coach on the club’s negotiation process and the level of transparency surrounding the long-term coaching appointment. Young confirmed that the uncertainty about who will lead the club beyond the current season, particularly into 2027 and beyond, is a topic of concern for the playing group.
“Yeah, they do, and I’ve been involved in a lot of the meetings with players,” Young stated, acknowledging the players’ need for clarity. He elaborated on his commitment to building a strong future for the Dragons, even in the face of this uncertainty.
“I’ve obviously got a great relationship with Scott Drinkwater from my time at the Cowboys, I’ve worked with Keon Koloamatangi with Tonga since 2019, met Luke Metcalf for two hours and explained the style of play I think will work in today’s game, and the spine the Dragons will have next year. I hope I get a pre-season with them, Gus.” This demonstrates Young’s proactive approach in engaging with key players and outlining his vision for the team’s future, irrespective of his own coaching status.
Strategic Overhauls and a Return to Basics
Since taking over as interim coach, Young has not shied away from making significant strategic decisions. He notably replaced Michael Ennis and overhauled the coaching staff, bringing in new assistants. Furthermore, he has actively blooded young talent, including Kade Reed. Unfortunately, Reed’s promising start was cut short by a ruptured finger tendon in Round 10 against the Newcastle Knights, sidelining the young playmaker for surgery and recovery.
Young explained his rationale behind these changes, highlighting a desire to inject new energy and a different approach into the struggling Dragons outfit. “When I first took over, I wasn’t really happy with the way things were going,” he admitted. “I thought we needed to make some change, so I gave an opportunity to young Kade Reed, and unfortunately, he hurt his finger; and Lykian got an opportunity against Newcastle but didn’t take that opportunity.”
He further detailed the team’s tactical evolution. “So I went back to Kyle (Flanagan) and Atko (Daniel Atkinson) and I thought we did a good job against Penrith, we played straight and stuck to the game plan … the next week against the Warriors, although we fought hard, I was really disappointed with the way we performed, and we didn’t stick to the way we wanted to play, and we spoke about that and had a plan for the Broncos and stuck to it.”
Young emphasised a return to fundamental principles as a cornerstone of his coaching philosophy during this interim period. “When I first took over, we stripped everything back and got back to the basics and tried to nail the fundamentals,” he explained.
The resilience of the playing group has not gone unnoticed by their interim coach. “I can’t thank the players enough because we’re in a real tough spot. To lose as many games as we have on the trot and keep turning up to training with a good attitude, keep fighting in game and keep believing in the messages that I’m giving them is really pleasing.” This acknowledgement underscores the positive shift in morale and belief within the squad.
Looking Ahead: Sharks Next Challenge
With this morale-boosting victory under their belts, the St George Illawarra Dragons will be aiming to build momentum when they face the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday afternoon, seeking to secure their second win of the season. The club’s long-term coaching future remains a key talking point, but for now, the focus will be on continuing to fight and improve on the field.
