James Graham has questioned whether Shane Flanagan would be willing to drop his son, Kyle, at St George Illawarra as the Dragons find themselves in the midst a poor run of form.
The Red V have won two of their last six matches after the coach dropped Lachlan Ilias from the side.
The former South Sydney playmaker was brought to the club in the off-season and was handed the No.7 jersey to start the season.
However, things quickly unravelled for Ilias, who copped public criticism from Flanagan before he was dropped to the reserves.
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James Graham questions Kyle Flanagan’s place in the Dragons side
Ilias’ last NRL game came in Round 8 when the Sydney Roosters battered the Dragons 46-18 on Anzac Day.
Lyhkan King-Togia was brought into the fold the following week.
The 20-year-old was listed at halfback for his first three appearances of the campaign before he was switched around with Kyle Flanagan in the halves.
Yet after Kyle Flanagan took over the keys to the side in the No.7 jersey, the Dragons have won just once. And they have appeared rudderless recently on the way to two heavy defeats in a row.
Despite the worrying performances and results, Graham stated that he didn’t think Flanagan would be axed from the team any time soon.
"They would know at the Dragons whether someone is banging down the door to take that halfback role," Graham said on Triple M.
"They have Lachie Ilias - he would be the obvious choice. But I guess the elephant in the room is that it’s the coach’s son."
Since being demoted to the NSW Cup, Ilias has guided the Dragons to five consecutive wins at halfback.
He has scored three tries, provided four assists and has clearly worked on being a constant threat with his running game while also providing decent coverage with his long kicks.
And Graham suggested that it may be time for Shane Flanagan to recall the Greek international, with the Red V favourite noting how the halves required some surgery if the club was to climb up the ladder.
"It’s an area that needs improvement," Graham said.
"I heard Kyle Flanagan say a few weeks ago after they beat Manly, 'That’s the worst halves combination in the competition, hey?'".
"So, they’re leveraging that emotion of being criticised publicly. But I do think it’s an area that the Dragons need to strengthen."