Dragons pair Daniel Atkinson and Kyle Flanagan have car-pooled from the Shire to Wollongong nearly every day this summer, with their 90-minute round trips – and conversations about life, rugby league, coffee and country music – to have a huge bearing on St George Illawarra’s NRL finals hopes.
Atkinson said the commute with Flanagan had been a blessing, and already helped fast-track the on-field chemistry with his new halves partner.
New Dragons halves combination Daniel Atkinson and Kyle Flanagan.Credit: Getty Images
Just as Sydney Roosters supporters will be hoping Daly Cherry-Evans can hit it off with Sam Walker, the Dragons’ faithful will be banking on Atkinson and Flanagan forging a handy partnership.
“If you know each other off the field, it always reflects on the field,” said Atkinson, who only this week left the Shire for the South Coast.
“We’re doing everything we can to become mates and know how the other likes to play.
“You go through the toughest moments on the field together, so you always want to know who you’re playing with, and what they are like off the field.
Dragon Kyle Flanagan is set to partner Daniel Atkinson in the halves for the opening of the 2026 NRL season.Credit: Getty Images
“I usually drive and Kyle gets the coffees. We both like flat whites, so we were off to a good start. Val [Holmes] and ‘Cooky’ [Damien Cook] will often jump in and order their strong oat lattes.
“You can talk and train all you want, but at the end of the day, the best way we’ll get better is to play.”
Atkinson, the knockabout Queenslander who was briefly being groomed as a possible fullback replacement for Will Kennedy at Cronulla before he inked a three-year deal with the Dragons, will defend on the right with Flanagan on the left.
“I’ll play to my strengths, which is off the cuff – I don’t even know what I’m going to do half the time,” Atkinson said.
“It’s not going to matter what number will be on our backs. We’re also lucky to have guys like ‘Gutho’ [Clint Gutherson] and Cooky [Damien Cook], two guys who have played in really big games, and I can pick their brain.”
Coach Shane Flanagan said he was grateful his son had made a point of not letting Atkinson drive to Wollongong on his own.
“They’ve been able to build that relationship as a result, they have about 50 minutes in the car together [one-way], and if they can fast-track that connection, it only helps us,” Flanagan said.
There will be times Kyle and Gutherson will call the ball, and other moments when Atkinson and Gutherson will link, said Flanagan, which will all depend on what part of the field the Dragons are attacking.
Last year Kyle did most of the kicking, but Flanagan said Atkinson possessed an excellent boot.
Atkinson and Flanagan, who both played in a scrimmage against Manly last month, will be spared the official opening trial against the Knights on Saturday night, but get valuable game time next weekend against South Sydney before departing for the round one opener in Las Vegas.
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