The next two months are going teach Dragons coach Shane Flanagan who his friends are in the game as he deals with increasingly negative publicity about his handling of his halfback son, Kyle.

After Saturday night’s win over the Eels, the Dragons’ draw gets significantly tougher, with seven of their final 10 matches against teams in the top eight. Flanagan snr is also dealing with a delicate situation with his son – one that has received increasing exposure as the Dragons strive to find consistency.

There is also another significant issue in the background that if it emerges will cause huge problems for the club.

For now, the problem for Shane is that he has hitched his wagon to his former employer at Fox Sports. They have been cheerleading for him for years, but the tone of the coverage has changed significantly since he dumped Lachlan Ilias to reserve grade.

It was a fair call at the time, but now Ilias has been playing well, winning seven of eight starts in the No.7 jersey for the club’s NSW Cup side, which sits second on the ladder. Despite that, he has been unable to get a look-in as a potential first-grader again.

During the week, Ilias’ agent and NRL 360 host, Braith Anasta, warned that failure to select an in-form player can lead to trouble internally at a club.

How long can Shane Flanagan (right) back his son Kyle?Credit: NRL Photos

Anasta’s colleagues on Fox Sports have also been pushing for Ilias to be selected in the top grade.

The attacks on Shane and, to a lesser extent, Kyle are ramping up. It’s hard not to feel for them as people, but they have been poorly advised in decisions they’ve made on how to handle things publicly and privately.

Winning will fix this issue in the short-term and last night was a start. But the problem for Flanagan snr is that the same people who didn’t want him to coach the Dragons in the first place certainly haven’t changed their minds.

In fairness to the Dragons, Flanagan was the best option available at the time. They needed to sign a coach with experience and Flanagan has won a competition with the Sharks.

The pressure is mounting on Shane Flanagan.Credit: Getty Images

The next few weeks may determine whether any request to extend his contract, which ends in 2027, is looked at favourably. At this point, he has not asked for one.

All of this is happening while the Dragons have an obvious first-grade coach in their midst in assistant Dean Young, and up the road at South Sydney there is someone with the pedigree and development they need – the increasingly confident Ben Hornby.

There is no evidence the Dragons are sounding out other coaches, though.

The immediate issue for coach Flanagan are his comments defending Kyle in the News Corp press.

Lachlan Ilias has been in great form in the NSW Cup, but can’t get a start in the top grade.Credit: NRL Photos

“To say Kyle is under pressure is ridiculous,” Flanagan said. “He’s been among our best players all year. It’s not me, ask the other players and coaches. I’m probably harder on Kyle than any other player.”

Those comments have gone down badly with those close to him at the club. Those who understand the media game told Flanno it would be a bad idea to make such statements.

There was speculation the board was not impressed, but that has been denied.

However, sections of the playing group certainly don’t agree with Flanagan’s appraisal and defence of his son.........

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