Dragons aim for consistency to end NRL losing streak
The Dragons are looking to end a two-game losing streak when they host the Warriors at WIN Stadium on Saturday night, looking to bounce back after their six-point Magic Round loss to Wests Tigers.
In contrast, the Warriors have charged into third place after adding the scalp of North Queensland to their collection in Brisbane.
The Red V are only two points outside the eight and have upset some highly-rated rivals, but Flanagan says they have their "backs to the wall" and can't afford to continue their inconsistent form if they want to reach the finals.
"We need to get it right," Flanagan said.
"We've got a football team here, we've shown that we can go with the big guns - Manly, Melbourne and so on - so consistency is an important part of it.
"But we need to start winning, without a doubt, so we've got an opportunity tomorrow.
"The Tigers (game) was disappointing. It was another game that got away from us and we can't keep having that story as our season rolls on, so we've got to change it."
Flanagan has made one change to the side which fell to the Tigers, giving an NRL debut to Loko Pasifiki Tonga.
The 19-year-old has earnt a bench spot in place of Emre Guler, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Flanagan said the youngster showed huge promise, likening him to young Cronulla great Andrew Fifita.
"It's always exciting to give someone their debut jersey because you just don't know how far and how successful their career is going to be, and you know I'm pretty sure Loko's going to have a big one," Flanagan said.
"A young front rower coming into the game reminds me, not quite sure who he reminds me of, but, he's probably got a little bit of everything.
"He got a bit of Andrew Fifita in him, he's got a good motor, so I'm really excited for him."
For the Warriors, star winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will play his first game of the season after suffering a serious wrist injury in a pre-season match.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why I owe Richmond a grovelling apology
Like many people in footy, I am reluctant to apologise. It's not our native tongue, so to speak, but I feel compelled this week to fall on my sword. After reflecting on my pre-season predictions for The Age, I, Bob Murphy, would like to formally apologise to the Richmond Football Club. I was wrong. I was soooo wrong. I boldly predicted that the Tigers wouldn't win a game. Not one. Zero. I have a long and somewhat complicated relationship with the Richmond Football Club. I was born into a family that had a strong allegiance to the Tigers. I had a Matthew Richardson poster on my bedroom wall; my first footy jumper was a woollen Tigers short sleeve with a collar and Wayne Campbell's No.9 proudly stitched into the back. I was at the MCG on September 16, 1995 on that magical day for the Tiger army when Matthew Knights kicked three stunning first-half goals against the flow of play against the Bombers. Despite being five goals down at half-time, my Tigers came charging home via some brutality from Scotty Turner and co to win a classic. It remains one of my all-time favourite days at the footy. Three years later I was lucky enough to be a year 10 work experience kid at Tigerland, hanging out with Jeff Gieschen, Benny Gale, Paul Broderick, Ash Prescott and Richo – who caught me watching his highlights on a VHS tape and asked, 'Do you mind if I have a look at that, champ?' For a footy mad kid, it was the greatest week of my life! Weirdly, just four games into my own AFL career, I was in a Bulldogs jumper playing against my Tigers at the MCG when all hell broke loose. Long story short. Knights had his nose smashed in (as a Bulldog, I can't recall how Matthew was hurt). An all-in brawl ensued and a new rivalry in footy took flight. What a gloriously confusing time it was. So it is, with all of that history, that we arrive at this point today and the current iteration of the Richmond Tigers who I apologise to, cap in hand. Yes, the Tigers have won five games, but it's in two recent losses (against Geelong and Collingwood), where they have won me over, despite sitting 16th on the ladder. Young, developing teams will often meet top-tier teams and shrink in confidence, dare and bravery.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Why I owe Richmond a grovelling apology
Like many people in footy, I am reluctant to apologise. It's not our native tongue, so to speak, but I feel compelled this week to fall on my sword. After reflecting on my pre-season predictions for The Age, I, Bob Murphy, would like to formally apologise to the Richmond Football Club. I was wrong. I was soooo wrong. I boldly predicted that the Tigers wouldn't win a game. Not one. Zero. I have a long and somewhat complicated relationship with the Richmond Football Club. I was born into a family that had a strong allegiance to the Tigers. I had a Matthew Richardson poster on my bedroom wall; my first footy jumper was a woollen Tigers short sleeve with a collar and Wayne Campbell's No.9 proudly stitched into the back. I was at the MCG on September 16, 1995 on that magical day for the Tiger army when Matthew Knights kicked three stunning first-half goals against the flow of play against the Bombers. Despite being five goals down at half-time, my Tigers came charging home via some brutality from Scotty Turner and co to win a classic. It remains one of my all-time favourite days at the footy. Three years later I was lucky enough to be a year 10 work experience kid at Tigerland, hanging out with Jeff Gieschen, Benny Gale, Paul Broderick, Ash Prescott and Richo – who caught me watching his highlights on a VHS tape and asked, 'Do you mind if I have a look at that, champ?' For a footy mad kid, it was the greatest week of my life! Weirdly, just four games into my own AFL career, I was in a Bulldogs jumper playing against my Tigers at the MCG when all hell broke loose. Long story short. Knights had his nose smashed in (as a Bulldog, I can't recall how Matthew was hurt). An all-in brawl ensued and a new rivalry in footy took flight. What a gloriously confusing time it was. So it is, with all of that history, that we arrive at this point today and the current iteration of the Richmond Tigers who I apologise to, cap in hand. Yes, the Tigers have won five games, but it's in two recent losses (against Geelong and Collingwood), where they have won me over, despite sitting 16th on the ladder. Young, developing teams will often meet top-tier teams and shrink in confidence, dare and bravery.
The Australian
21 hours ago
- The Australian
NRL commissions more planes than ever before as Vegas interest explodes
In a bid to capitalise on a surge of interest, the NRL has just commissioned a fifth Qantas Dreamliner 787 aeroplane to ferry fans directly to Las Vegas next year. And given the extraordinary interest, there is every chance a sixth plane will be ordered. It is an unprecedented move given just two chartered planes flew to Nevada this year. 'Demand has been so high, it's been unbelievable. The interest in Vegas is growing and growing,' said NRL general manager of US expansion, John Vellis. The first four planes have essentially sold out with a fifth now required and possibly a sixth if interest levels remain at fever-pitch. The 2026 Las Vegas extravaganza will be played on February 28 in America (March 1 in Australia) with games comprising St George Illawarra, Newcastle, Canterbury, North Queensland, Leeds and Hull Kingston Rovers. Four flights will depart from Sydney and another from Brisbane to cater for Cowboys supporters. There are 236 seats on each plane. Economy seats on all four original flights are sold out, with a few remaining in business and premium business. A fifth flight is expected to be sold out, meaning NRL chartered flights alone will carry nearly 1200 fans to Las Vegas. That figure will increase if a sixth plane is required. There will be connecting flights for fans from Townsville to Brisbane and Newcastle to Sydney. Just two NRL flights left Australia in the initial year – one each from Sydney and Brisbane, where Broncos fans boarded. Last year was also two flights, both departing Sydney given Queensland didn't have a side competing. From two to five flights, possibly six, shows the interest in Vegas continues to grow year-in-year. 'The charter flights are going fantastic so we are about to launch another one this week,' said Vellis. 'For the first two years we had two charters. This year we have gone up to four and we are now going to launch a fifth charter. These flights are specifically for our event. 'We have doubled the charters for next year and we are going again (for a fifth plane). 'If tickets go berserk again then we might have to launch another flight. We're not adverse to that at all.' All flights will be themed around each participating NRL club with club legends on board along with classic matches on the in-flight monitors. The flights will leave on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before the games and fly directly to Las Vegas. Read related topics: Qantas Dean "Bulldog'" Ritchie has covered rugby league at The Daily Telegraph, and now CODE Sports as well, for 33 years. From the Super League war to NRL grand finals, State of Origin clashes and World Cups, Bulldog has written about the biggest issues in the game and broken many of the most important stories. NRL NRL boss Andrew Abdo has called on players to be respectful to referees, as a sneaky tactic has emerged around close-talking players trying to influence the Bunker. NRL As he prepares to take on his former halves partner for the first time, Jarome Luai has opened up on Lachlan Galvin's Wests Tigers exit, insisting he only ever want to help his ex-teammate.
