Shane Flanagan(born 2 December 1965)[4]is an Australian professionalrugby leaguefootball coach and commentator, and is the head coach of theSt George Illawarra Dragonsin theNational Rugby League.[5]He was the head coach of theCronulla Sutherland Sharksand was appointed assistant coach of the Sharks in 2006 and was subsequently appointed to the top position when former coachRicky Stuartresigned on 20 July 2010.[6]Flanagan was previously the assistant coach at theManly Warringah Sea Eaglesand Coaching Director of thePNG Kumuls.[7][8] He is the father of Dragons playerKyle Flanagan.
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Shane Flanagan[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 2 December 1965 Sydney,New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Hooker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coaching information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of 19 April 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relatives | Kyle Flanagan(son) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career
editFlanagan playedS. G. Ball Cup,Jersey Flegg Cup,and President's Cup forSt. George Dragonsprior to making his first-grade debut for the club in 1987. He came off the bench in this game, a round 11 match against theWestern Suburbs Magpies,and played his second game against the same opposition in round 24, also off the bench. He was the starting hooker in the following week’s match againstParramatta.After making these three first-grade appearances in 1987, he made none in 1988.
In 1989, Flanagan joined theWestern Suburbs Magpies.In his second game for them, he accused hisBrisbane BroncosopponentAndrew Geeof biting, showing the referee a mark on his forearm. The Magpies’ CEO later decided not to take any action against Gee.[9]In round 8, Flanagan scored his first top-grade try in a tight victory over St. George atKogarah Oval.[10]He scored his second and final try of the year in round 16, darting over from dummy-half.
After being a regular starter at hooker in 1989 and 1990, he played only five games in 1991 under new coachWarren Ryan,with Ryan preferring new recruitJoe Thomasin the hooking role. His last game for the Magpies was a winning play-off for fifth spot, which allowed the Magpies to make their first semi-finals appearance since 1982.
He moved toParramatta Eelsin 1992 and remained with the club until 1994, when he retired from playing football following a knee injury. Flanagan was later engaged to coach the Parramatta S.G. Ball team in 1997.[11]
Coaching career
editAfter spending the 1997 season in the English Super League asStuart Raper's assistant at theCastleford Tigers,Flanagan returned to Australia and was eventually appointed to an assistant coaching role at theSydney Roostersfor two years underRicky Stuart.He went on to coach the Australian Schoolboys side, was an assistant coach for Australia under Stuart in 2007, and was an assistant coach underCraig BellamyforNew South Walesfrom 2008 to 2010.[6]
In July 2010, Flanagan was instated as Cronulla-Sutherland head coach following Ricky Stuart's resignation with six weeks remaining in the 2010 season.[12]
As head coach of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Flanagan lost his first three games mostly by small margins before a breakthrough win came against premiership contenders the Sydney Roosters inround 23 of the 2010 season.The Sharks won 18–12. The Sharks won one more game in the 2010 season, against theGold Coast Titans.
In the2012 NRL season,Flanagan coached Cronulla to finish 7th on the ladder. Flanagan built a reputation for signing key players to the club. Having signedTodd Carneythe previous year, Flanagan secured the purchases ofBeau RyanandChris Heighingtonfrom theWest Tigers,Michael GordonandLuke Lewisfrom the Panthers, and Jonathon Wright from the Bulldogs.
In 2013, following a year-long investigation into the Sharks'supplements programcarried out during the2011 NRL season,Flanagan was suspended from his role for a period of 12 months.[13]
In the2016 NRL season,he guided Cronulla to a top-four finish. They travelled to Canberra in the first week of the finals and record a 16–14 victory thus earning a preliminary final at Allianz Stadium. The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks won against the 2015 premiers, theNorth Queensland Cowboys,by 32-20 thus earning a place in the 2016 Grand Final. On 2 October, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks recorded a 14–12 victory over the Melbourne Storm, making Flanagan their first coach to win a premiership.
In the2017 NRL season,he guided Cronulla to the finals. In week one, Cronulla played against North Queensland in the elimination final, losing 15–14 in an upset.[14]
In 2018, Flanagan took Cronulla to a top-four finish. Cronulla lost their week one final match against Sydney Roosters before defeating Penrith the following week 21–20. In the preliminary final, Cronulla was defeated by Melbourne 22–6.[15]
On 19 December 2018, Flanagan was de-registered as a coach indefinitely for failing to adhere to the conditions of his suspension in 2014. The NRL integrity unit had found that Flanagan had sent more than fifty emails exchanged between Flanagan, club management, and the football department which was strictly against the conditions of his suspension which included that Flanagan was to have no contact or involvement with the club during his ban. The NRL also fined Cronulla $800,000 as punishment.[16]
On 20 September 2019, it was announced that Flanagan was allowed to return to theNRLbut under strict conditions. He was still unable to hold a head coaching role at any club until 2022 but was allowed to return as an assistant coach.[17]He joined his junior club theSt. George Illawarra Dragonsas an assistant coach toPaul McGregorbeginning in the2020 NRL season.[7]Flanagan's role is specifically focused on defence. Flanagan was the most important of one of 8 coaching changes at the Dragons following a dismal 2019.[18][19][20]
In September 2020, Flanagan was told his services would not be required in 2021 by St. George after the appointment of new head coachAnthony Griffin.[21] On 24 February 2022, it was announced that Flanagan would return to St. George Illawarra, this time as a List Management Consultant.[22]In October 2022, Flanagan joined theManly Warringah Sea Eaglesas an assistant coach toAnthony Seiboldahead of the2023 NRL season.[23]
On 14 June 2023, Flanagan signed a three-year contract to become the head coach of theSt. George Illawarra Dragonsstarting in 2024.[24] In round 1 of the2024 NRL season,Flanagan's reign at St. George Illawarra got off to the best possible start as the club recorded an upset 28-4 victory over theGold Coast.[25] In Flanagan's first year in charge of St. George, he took the club to an 11th placed finish just two points outside the finals places. The club did have the chance to qualify for the finals but lost their last two matches of the season.[26]
Post coaching
editFlanagan was a commentator forFox Sports Australiaand2GB.[27]
References
edit- ^Flanagan, Shane (26 September 2008)."Finals feud: Sticky v Bellyache".Australia:Fairfax Media.Retrieved3 December2010.
- ^Rugby League Project (player)
- ^Rugby League Project (coach)
- ^"The #1 source of independent NRL news and analysis".27 June 2023.
- ^Simon Brunsdon (13 June 2023)."Dragons board votes unanimously to offer Shane Flanagan vacant coaching job".Wide World of Sports.Retrieved13 June2023.
- ^abAAP (20 July 2010)."Stuart quits Sharks".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved24 July2010.
- ^ab"Dragons sign Flanagan as assistant to McGregor with defence role".The Sydney Morning Herald.27 November 2019.Retrieved27 November2019.
- ^"Flanagan to help Tepend in PNG World Cup role".12 May 2022.
- ^"League judiciary kept busy with appeals".The Canberra Times.12 April 1989. p. 40.
- ^"Teitzel boosts first-grade chances".The Canberra Times.8 May 1989. p. 24.
- ^Barrett, Chris (21 July 2010)."Flanagan new head coach".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved25 August2010.
- ^"Ricky Stuart quits as Sharks coach".Sydney Morning Herald. 24 May 2010.Retrieved5 May2020.
- ^Sharks fined $1m, Flanagan suspended,NRL.com official website, 17 December 2013
- ^Perry, Sam (10 September 2017)."Cowboys beat Sharks in NRL elimination final – as it happened".The Guardian.
- ^"Melbourne Storm earns spot in grand final with 22-6 win over Cronulla, two tries to Billy Slater - ABC News".ABC News.21 September 2018.
- ^"Why NRL had no choice but to ban Sharks coach Shane Flanagan".19 December 2018.
- ^"Shane Flanagan vows to restore reputation and coach in NRL again".The Guardian.20 September 2019.
- ^"NRL 2020: Shane Flanagan officially joins Dragons as assistant coach, former Cronulla Sharks coach joins St George Illawarra".Fox Sports.27 November 2019.Retrieved27 November2019.
- ^"Shane Flanagan to Dragons: St George Illawarra announce one-year deal as assistant coach".National Rugby League.27 November 2019.Retrieved27 November2019.
- ^"Dragons announce further coaching staff appointments".St George Illawarra Dragons.26 November 2019.Retrieved27 November2019.
- ^"Young to exit Dragons as NRL wide assistant moves heat up".www.nrl.com.16 September 2020.
- ^Nicolussi, Christian (25 February 2022)."Shane Flanagan returns to Dragons, but not as a coach".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved9 April2022.
- ^"Flanagan signs three-year deal with Manly to become assistant coach".
- ^"Shane Flanagan signs three-year deal to be Dragons coach after unanimous board backing".wwos.nine.com.au.
- ^"Flanno is BACK as Dragons hat-trick hero carves up Des' toothless Titans: What We Learned".www.foxsports.com.au.
- ^"The Mole's end-of-season review: 'Bullies' exposed as big-money Dragons forward called out".www.nine.com.au.
- ^"Three players banned as NRL tackle storm erupts".Northern Territory Times.3 April 2023.Retrieved16 May2023.
