Under-fire Dragons halfback set to be dropped for Magic Round

Joshua Mayne

Under-fire Dragons halfback set to be dropped for Magic Round image

The Dragons have reportedly axed Lachlan Ilias for their Magic Round match against the Tigers.

According to News Corp, St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has decided to drop the halfback following a string of underwhelming performances.

A heavy loss to the Roosters on ANZAC Day saw the Red V drop outside the top eight.

After playing seven games, they hold a record of three wins and four losses, which makes their next encounter with the Tigers an important one to ensure they don't fall further behind. 

MORE: NRL team lists – Every side’s lineup for Magic Round

Ilias, who joined the Dragons this season from the Rabbitohs, has previously come under fire from Flanagan.

He was criticised for failing to see the team home in a narrow Round 2 loss to the Bunnies.

"You were here, weren’t you? You can make your own assessment," Flanagan said about the halfback.

The coach later apologised for his comments.

MORE: Crackdown or not? NRL boss responds to sin bin frenzy

Jonah Glover and Lyhkan King-Togia are now both in contention for Ilias' No. 7 jersey, with the latter currently tipped to earn a start.

Both playmakers have impressed in the NSW Cup this season, and while they are not in the club's Top 30, they are eligible to be promoted to first-grade under their developmental contracts.

Flanagan has been tight-lipped following the report of Ilias' axing, however.

"I need to speak with the individuals first," he told News Corp.

The Dragons' team list for Round 9 will be released at 4:00 pm AEST on Tuesday.

Dragons predicted team vs. Tigers

1. Clint Gutherson 
2. Tyrell Sloan
3. Moses Suli
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Sione Finau
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Lyhkan King-Togia
8. Toby Couchman
9. Damien Cook
10. David Klemmer 
11. Luciano Leilua 
12. Jaydn Su'A
13. Jack de Belin

14. Jacob Liddle
15. Emre Guler
16. Hamish Stewart 
17. Dylan Egan 

Joshua Mayne

Joshua Mayne is a content producer for The Sporting News currently based in Sydney, Australia. He has previously worked as a newsreader at 2SER and a journalist at Ministry of Sport. Joshua specialises in rugby league, motorsport and tennis. He is still waiting for Arsenal to win the Premier League again.