Coach Shane Flanagan is promising St George Illawarra fans more signings over the off-season, as the club is linked to Parramatta forward Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
Flanagan was forthright about the need to freshen up his squad after the Dragons’ 26-24 loss to Canberra on Saturday, which put the final nail in their season’s coffin.
The Red V held their fate in their hands in the race for the top eight, before three disappointing losses to round out the season.
“It just shows no resilience, no patience,” Flanagan said.
“I have to instil that in them – that hard-nose, rugby league footy team. That’s my job in the off-season.”
The Dragons have already confirmed the addition of South Sydney hooker Damien Cook and winger Valentine Holmes, who won the premiership under Flanagan at Cronulla in 2016.
But star winger Zac Lomax is on the way to the Eels and youngster Savelio Tamale, who debuted against the Raiders, will join them next year.
Flanagan flagged more signings in the works.
“We’ve got to get some of those (hard-nosed) players in,” he said.
“I know Damien is that type of player. I know Val has been that type of player, so I’ll get them in and add some more.”
Prop Campbell-Gillard took a rare conversion after scoring in the Eels’ win over Wests Tigers on Friday – a sure sign he is on his way out the door.
“We’re definitely trying to get two middles to add to our team,” Flanagan said when asked if he was interested in the veteran.
“You know what the off-season’s like. There’s a bit of change, and some things you don’t see coming. But I’ll be looking to make sure that I recruit in that style of player: tough, resilient, winner.”
Captain Ben Hunt echoed his coach’s comments, saying they were “not a disciplined and hard-nosed enough team”, after their late capitulation, having led the Raiders from the first set of the game.
Few foresaw Canberra forward Corey Horsburgh popping up with a grubber kick to score a freak try in the 78th minute and take the game away from the Dragons.
Asked if the want-away prop had caught his eye, Flanagan was coy.
“There’s been a lot of speculation. We haven’t chatted with Corey as yet,” he said.
“Now that the season’s over, we’ll take a breath and then jump into what next year looks like.”