Maloney: How Flanagan has mismanaged his star recruits

Premiership winning halfback James Maloney has criticised Shane Flanagan’s tactics as the St George Illawarra Dragons stare down an 0-7 start.

The Dragons have dropped their opening six matches of the season with Flanagan’s tenure becoming more scrutinised with each defeat.

Maloney, who won the 2016 Premiership for Cronulla under Flanagan, believes that the high profile recruits including Clint Gutherson aren’t being used effectively which is contributing to the club’s woes.

“Flanagan has a very strong and senior playing group,” Maloney said on SEN's Kick Off.

“At Cronulla (in 2016), we had a lot of say in how we played.

“In terms of Flanagan at the Dragons now, I look at the Dragons and they signed Damien Cook who is a running hooker.

“They signed Clint Gutherson who has always been an awesome support player down the field.

“The club also signed David Klemmer who is this big body to get the team on the front foot.

“However, they play such a sideways brand of football. I don’t understand why you’d sign players like that and play the complete opposite to their strengths.

“The Dragons are sitting on one of the great junior nurseries. The South Coast is such a breeding ground for talent.

“The Couchman brothers coming through look like really good players.

“Apparently the pathways system is also not in great order.

“Watching them play and with my understanding of rugby league, you need to play to your strengths.

“For me, the Dragons aren’t doing that (and) I don’t understand how you are going to win footy games.”

The Dragons take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 7 at Accor Stadium on Saturday.