Latest news with #Dragons'
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Don't cop that': Braith Anasta ‘put on spot' over Dragons saga, NRL outcast
Debate has reignited over Kyle Flanagan's continued selection for St George Illawarra, with Braith Anasta reluctantly weighing in on what it's been like for his client Lachlan Ilias as he struggles to get back into the team. The club is in a unique situation with Kyle the son of coach Shane Flanagan, leading to plenty of scrutiny during what has been a disappointing campaign. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Furthermore, backup halves Ilias and Jonah Glover have been knocking the door down in reserve grade, leading the Dragons' NSW Cup team to 10 wins from their past 12 games. Glover and Ilias missed out once again this weekend, with Flanagan picked at halfback for this weekend's clash against Canberra. Ilias, who joined the Dragons from Souths in the off-season, has played in seven NRL games in 2025. After a heavy loss to the Roosters in Round 8, Ilias was dropped and hasn't been able to win his spot back. Paul Crawley believes Flanagan simply wouldn't be continued to be picked if his dad wasn't the Dragons' coach. 'I would argue if Flanno wasn't the coach, I don't think Kyle would still be in the team,' Crawley said on NRL360. 'Because you've got to own up to the fact he tries his guts out – no one ever accuses him of not trying his guts out. But his kicking game hasn't been great. His game management hasn't been great. He doesn't pose a great attacking threat. 'You've got Ilias, who Shane Flanagan brought to the club – he brought him to the club to play halfback. He got dropped because of his game management. He (Ilias) went back and did what he had to do in reserve grade. 'They've lost their last four games and Flanno has dug his heels in and he's not gonna change. He's just not gonna change. But is that because Kyle's his son? Or because Kyle is just a player that he really believes is really playing to the best of his ability and Lachie can't come in and do something better?' Ilias is managed by NRL360 host Braith Anasta. Anasta said he was 'put on the spot' by a question from The Daily Telegraph's Dean Ritchie, who asked Anasta how Ilias was going 'emotionally and form wise'. 'That's a tough one. That's a tough one to ask,' he responded. 'I can't win here … Shane and the Dragons will think I'm having a crack – but if you want my honest opinion, he's gone back and did everything he's asked of. They've won 10 out of 11 games. And then pretty much because they lost one on the weekend, that's why he's not playing this week? I don't cop that. 'I've sat pretty quiet here. I don't want to get involved. It's hard for me. But he couldn't do any more. 'Unfortunately for him, I'm trying to keep him up because he's losing hope. I'm sure the other kid there, (Jonah) Glover is as well. 'Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I had to – because that's how I feel.' Earlier this week, the Dragons officially announced the hiring of former NRL coach Daniel Anderson to be the club's Head of Recruitment. One of Anderson's biggest tasks this off-season will be to search for the club's next marquee halfback. Rather bluntly, Dragons CEO Tim Watsford has publicly said that Flanagan won't be the club's halfback next season. 'Kyle was brought in as a 14 or utility to play a role,' Watsford said earlier this month. 'At the time, we had two halves in Benny Hunt and Junior Amone. That was where the club was heading. 'At the end of last year, we signed Daniel Atkinson from the Sharks and he will come in and play half in 2026. 'Kyle is there fulfilling a role for 2025 and fulfilling it well. Now, we're in the market and we'll be in the market for a marquee halfback. However, Crawley believes that Flanagan's continued insistence on selecting his son at halfback is 'doing the club damage' as the veteran journalist said it could be sending potential free agent targets a poor message. 'There's another layer to that too – another layer to the story in the fact the Dragons senior management has come out in recent weeks and said they're chasing a top line number 7,' Crawley said. 'Well, you'd have to question of the young guys coming through would you want to send a young 7 to the Dragons knowing that there's every chance Kyle stays at 7? They've shown no trust in the bloke they bought last year to play 7. 'I think it's doing the club damage – they might not want to admit it, but it's the truth.'
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
St George Illawarra star Jaydn Su'a's season over after suffering knee injury in hip-drop tackle
Jaydn Su'a's season is likely over after North Queensland utility Karl Lawton was charged over a hip-drop tackle that injured the St George Illawarra star's knee. Su'a limped from the field in the Dragons' 38-32 loss to the Cowboys on Friday night, after being hit around the legs by Lawton in a second-half tackle. It's understood the former Queensland State of Origin forward has suffered medial ligament damage, ruling him out for up to six weeks. It means the only way he would be likely to play again this season is if the Dragons went undefeated through the next month to make an unlikely finals charge. Lawton was hit with a grade-two dangerous contact charge on Saturday morning, resulting in a two-match ban with an early guilty plea. If Lawton fights the charge and loses he will face three matches on the sidelines. North Queensland are also in need of a miracle to make finals. It's the second time Lawton has faced a two-game ban for dangerous contact in the space of five weeks. The Cowboy was last month handed one of the most serious charges of the season for a cannonball tackle on Sydney Roosters youngster Siua Wong. Wong also tore his medial ligament in that tackle and only made his return against Melbourne on Thursday night. Meanwhile, fellow North Queensland forward Coen Hess can accept an $1800 fine for a high tackle on returning Dragon Mat Feagai. And Brisbane second-rower Brendan Piakura has avoided a ban for his high shot on Zac Lomax in the Broncos' 22-20 loss to Parramatta, with Piakura able to take a $1800 fine.
The Advertiser
27-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Dragons coach says halves duo for Eels is deserved
Shane Flanagan insists Dragons duo Lyhkan King-Togia and the coach's son Kyle are the best halves in the club - and it's not just him who thinks so. Ahead of their clash with Parramatta at Wollongong's WIN Stadium on Saturday night, Flanagan has been under fire for ignoring the claims of in-form reserve grade pairing Lachlan Ilias and Jonah Glover. While the Dragons' NRL side has slumped to 11th on the ladder, their NSW Cup team, piloted by Ilias and Glover, have won their last eight straight to sit second. Ilias and Kyle Flanagan started the season as the Dragons' first-choice halves but the former was demoted after eight rounds, prompting criticism of favouritism due to the father-son link. Wests Tigers are reportedly circling Glover while Canberra are interested in former Rabbitoh Ilias. Flanagan was asked what those players needed to do to earn a call-up to first grade and he replied: "Play well, like everyone else." The coach said there were plenty of voices around the selection table that backed his starting side. "We pick the best team for that first grade side; I've got good assistant coaches, I've got good people around me that will make sure that we put the best 13 that we think this weekend or the best 17 we think this weekend will get the job done," he said. "Without a doubt we've got that playing this weekend." Meanwhile, Jack de Belin will square off against his new club after the Dragons veteran announced this week he would join the Eels this season. With his club sitting 15th, Parramatta coach Jason Ryles said he was looking forward to what the 34-year-old would bring to his line-up. "Obviously he brings experience, he brings leg speed, he's able to play the way that we want to play," Ryles said. "We're looking forward to him coming and, yeah, he's going to be a good addition to our squad." Ryles again has a new halves pairing with Dylan Brown back from suspension to partner Dean Hawkins, who has been wearing the No.7 jersey in place of the injured Mitch Moses. Named on the bench this week, Joash Papalii started at five-eighth last week in an audition for a permanent spot with Brown Newcastle-bound. "It was good to see Joash get the opportunity last week and Dean Hawkins has done a really good job for us when he's come in so far as well so we've got some options there internally," Ryles said. "You just keep everything open at the moment but there's certainly an opportunity there for someone to bed down that number six jersey." Shane Flanagan insists Dragons duo Lyhkan King-Togia and the coach's son Kyle are the best halves in the club - and it's not just him who thinks so. Ahead of their clash with Parramatta at Wollongong's WIN Stadium on Saturday night, Flanagan has been under fire for ignoring the claims of in-form reserve grade pairing Lachlan Ilias and Jonah Glover. While the Dragons' NRL side has slumped to 11th on the ladder, their NSW Cup team, piloted by Ilias and Glover, have won their last eight straight to sit second. Ilias and Kyle Flanagan started the season as the Dragons' first-choice halves but the former was demoted after eight rounds, prompting criticism of favouritism due to the father-son link. Wests Tigers are reportedly circling Glover while Canberra are interested in former Rabbitoh Ilias. Flanagan was asked what those players needed to do to earn a call-up to first grade and he replied: "Play well, like everyone else." The coach said there were plenty of voices around the selection table that backed his starting side. "We pick the best team for that first grade side; I've got good assistant coaches, I've got good people around me that will make sure that we put the best 13 that we think this weekend or the best 17 we think this weekend will get the job done," he said. "Without a doubt we've got that playing this weekend." Meanwhile, Jack de Belin will square off against his new club after the Dragons veteran announced this week he would join the Eels this season. With his club sitting 15th, Parramatta coach Jason Ryles said he was looking forward to what the 34-year-old would bring to his line-up. "Obviously he brings experience, he brings leg speed, he's able to play the way that we want to play," Ryles said. "We're looking forward to him coming and, yeah, he's going to be a good addition to our squad." Ryles again has a new halves pairing with Dylan Brown back from suspension to partner Dean Hawkins, who has been wearing the No.7 jersey in place of the injured Mitch Moses. Named on the bench this week, Joash Papalii started at five-eighth last week in an audition for a permanent spot with Brown Newcastle-bound. "It was good to see Joash get the opportunity last week and Dean Hawkins has done a really good job for us when he's come in so far as well so we've got some options there internally," Ryles said. "You just keep everything open at the moment but there's certainly an opportunity there for someone to bed down that number six jersey." Shane Flanagan insists Dragons duo Lyhkan King-Togia and the coach's son Kyle are the best halves in the club - and it's not just him who thinks so. Ahead of their clash with Parramatta at Wollongong's WIN Stadium on Saturday night, Flanagan has been under fire for ignoring the claims of in-form reserve grade pairing Lachlan Ilias and Jonah Glover. While the Dragons' NRL side has slumped to 11th on the ladder, their NSW Cup team, piloted by Ilias and Glover, have won their last eight straight to sit second. Ilias and Kyle Flanagan started the season as the Dragons' first-choice halves but the former was demoted after eight rounds, prompting criticism of favouritism due to the father-son link. Wests Tigers are reportedly circling Glover while Canberra are interested in former Rabbitoh Ilias. Flanagan was asked what those players needed to do to earn a call-up to first grade and he replied: "Play well, like everyone else." The coach said there were plenty of voices around the selection table that backed his starting side. "We pick the best team for that first grade side; I've got good assistant coaches, I've got good people around me that will make sure that we put the best 13 that we think this weekend or the best 17 we think this weekend will get the job done," he said. "Without a doubt we've got that playing this weekend." Meanwhile, Jack de Belin will square off against his new club after the Dragons veteran announced this week he would join the Eels this season. With his club sitting 15th, Parramatta coach Jason Ryles said he was looking forward to what the 34-year-old would bring to his line-up. "Obviously he brings experience, he brings leg speed, he's able to play the way that we want to play," Ryles said. "We're looking forward to him coming and, yeah, he's going to be a good addition to our squad." Ryles again has a new halves pairing with Dylan Brown back from suspension to partner Dean Hawkins, who has been wearing the No.7 jersey in place of the injured Mitch Moses. Named on the bench this week, Joash Papalii started at five-eighth last week in an audition for a permanent spot with Brown Newcastle-bound. "It was good to see Joash get the opportunity last week and Dean Hawkins has done a really good job for us when he's come in so far as well so we've got some options there internally," Ryles said. "You just keep everything open at the moment but there's certainly an opportunity there for someone to bed down that number six jersey."
Metro
26-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
Moment Dragons' Den star who was told she'd ‘amount to nothing' scores £60,000
A Dragons' Den contestant scored a whopping £60,000 investment in her business, despite previously being told she'd 'never amount to anything'. Tonight, the BBC is airing an episode from 2022 that saw former Royal Air Force member Hannah Saunders pitch her business, Toddle, which sells skincare for adventurous kids. Hannah began by explaining she joined the RAF after her parents told her she'd 'never amount to anything' and it was during her time in the armed forces that she developed a passion for adventures and travel. After becoming a mother, Hannah shared her love for the outdoors with her kids, and founded her business when she realised they had chapped lips and wind-burned cheeks. When Dragon Peter Jones asked Hannah if her parents' opinion of her had changed since she launched Toddle, she replied: 'I have no idea, they haven't spoken to me in years.' Peter replied: 'I'm devastated to hear that on your behalf.' Hannah added that it had taken 'years' and 'some therapy', but she was 'through the other side of it now'. When asked where her drive came from, Hannah said that as well as doing it for her two boys, aged three and six, 'There's a small part of me that wants to prove my parents wrong.' The Dragons were moved by Hannah's story, with Steven Bartlett telling her: 'I think you should be incredibly proud of yourself and it's made me a little bit emotional, which is quite rare.' Sara Davies added: 'My word, you are impressive. Honestly, I feel a little bit in awe of you.' Meanwhile, Deborah Meaden dubbed Hannah 'faultless', while Touker Suleyman turned to her and said: 'You've got every answer,' after she successfully fielded the Dragons' questions. Hannah received offers from three Dragons and, after a little bit of bartering, secured a joint investment of £60,000 with Steven and Deborah. She has since been dubbed the 'most prepared entrepreneur to ever enter the Den'. After striking a deal, Steven said: 'When I can't find a fault in an entrepreneur, I have no choice but to invest. And I literally couldn't find a fault.' Hannah revealed after leaving the Den: 'All I did was prepare as thoroughly as I could for the day. I really wasn't preempting any kind of reaction from them'. She added: 'To hear those kind words and to say how well I was doing is just a dream come true.' Hannah has since sold Toddle and is now the founder of Pitch Fund and Grow, a company which helps other business founders speak to investors and raise money. More Trending She is also the chief marketing officer a weServed, a platform that supports veterans, and chief growth officer at a tech startup called Nudge. Reflecting on her Dragons' Den experience, Hannah recently wrote in a LinkedIn post: 'I stood on that famous carpet and told my story raw and real. I shared my childhood, my military background, and my big dream. The Dragons saw something in me.' She added: 'For me, building Toddle wasn't just about creating a business; it was about creating value. From the beginning, I had a clear goal to grow the brand and sell. And that's exactly what I did. Toddle has now been acquired by new owners, and I couldn't be prouder of what we achieved.' View More » Dragons' Den is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Scott Mills forced to issue apology after 'holding funeral for Call the Midwife' MORE: How to watch Glastonbury Festival 2025 in the UK: TV channel and live stream MORE: Emmerdale, Coronation Street and EastEnders pulled from schedules next week
Metro
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Dragons' Den star reveals strict rule their children's friends must follow
A Dragons' Den star has unveiled her strict rule when it comes to inviting her children's friends over for playtime. Sara Davies, 41, joined the hit BBC show as its youngest ever female investor in 2019. In that time, she has gone on to make several successful investments in companies such as Sibstar, My Chocolate Shop, and Redcote Leisure Ltd. However, in March she revealed that she was stepping away from the show to focus on her business 'for now'. Despite her exit, Sara seems to be turning her attention towards her two children, Oliver, 11, and Charlie, eight, whom she shares with her husband of almost 20 years, Simon Davies. Talking to Daily Mail's Eden Confidential, she said: 'I have a box at the front door, so when they come to my house, they put their phones and iPads in the box, and it stays in my bedroom.' The 41-year-old continued: 'I like to be the fun mam where the other kids come around and I get pizzas, [but] I've seen it where the kids come and have phones and iPads and one of them will withdraw and sit on their iPad. 'I don't want the other parents to think that I'm judging them because they've let their kid [have a smartphone]. 'I'm too nervous to say anything about it in the school WhatsApp group.' Sara is frequently speaking about motherhood to her followers, telling Mother & Baby that her kids help to keep her 'grounded'. The successful businesswoman explained: 'It's hard because I want to give them everything I didn't have, and I have the money and the means to give them everything, but giving them material things isn't gonna make them a better person.' She added that, when she was young, her parents' didn't have much money at all' but going on camping holidays didn't 'affect [her] growing up'. 'I want my kids to grow up like I did—appreciating things and appreciating the value of money. I also had to work for things; it wasn't just given. 'And Simon was the same – we both came from very working class families. We are absolutely on the same page on how we want our kids to grow up.' Breaking the news of her exit from the hit show, Sara wrote on Instagram: 'Little update from me….. 'As this last run of Dragons' comes to an end I have to say I've loved every minute of this series so far and I'm so proud of the businesses I've invested in this year! 'As a lot of you will know, I've taken up my position again as CEO of Crafter's Companion and my business is my big priority this year. And when I commit to a business, I really commit, which is why I find Dragons' Den such a rewarding role. 'As well as filming an incredible show, being a Dragon requires so much dedication and time behind the scenes as you join the life of each business you invest in. 'It means seeing through your investment and committing to your part in that organisation. It's so much more than a TV show. 'That's why I've taken the decision to step away from the Den for now, to focus on my own business, which was my first baby! So I won't be filming with the team this year for the next series.' Recently, Sara backed calls for footballer-turned-pundit Gary Neville to be her replacement on the programme. In her first live TV appearance since sharing the announcement with fans, she told The One Show host Alex Jones exactly why she could see him sitting in the hot seat. 'You know, I loved it when Gary was in last year, Gary Neville. And I feel like he really had that empathy and warmth that I think I bring to the Den that I worried will be lost,' she reflected. Cheekily adding: 'So yeah, Gary for President!' The ex Strictly star founded the global company Crafter's Companion, a retail business that specialises in craft tools, in her bedroom while at university in 2005. More Trending According to reports, earlier this year she again became a major shareholder in the business, returning as chief executive. The entrepreneur, who is from County Durham, was made a Member Of The Order Of The British Empire (MBE) in 2016, recognised for services to the economy. View More » Dragons' Den is available to watch on BBC. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: I gave gentle parenting a try and absolutely hated it MORE: Disgraced Strictly star slams 'double standards' at BBC after Naga Munchetty 'sex jibe' MORE: Legendary BBC series hailed as 'guilty pleasure' streaming on completely free UK service
