The outcome of Flanagan’s case could have a large bearing on the ninth-placed Dragons’ finals hopes. They have games to come against the Titans, Sharks, Eels and Raiders.
Jack Wighton was the last player to be found guilty of biting, suspended for three matches after an incident involving Newcastle’s Tyson Gamble while playing for Canberra during the finals series last year. Kevin Proctor was banned for four games for biting Shaun Johnson in 2020.
Dragons five-eighth Kyle Flanagan was accused of biting Stephen Crichton during this tackle.Credit: Fox Sports
Should Flanagan be banned, Jack Bird and Jesse Marshcke, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, are possible replacements. Another option is Lyhkan King-Togia, who is seen as a future first-grader and has starred in the NSW Cup the past month.
Meanwhile, Dragons prop Hame Sele remains in hospital and is unlikely to play again this year because of heart complications. Sele was rushed to St George Hospital at half-time on Saturday with chest tightness, and remained in the emergency ward for more than 24 hours while undergoing tests.
“He’s got a form of pleurisy,” coach Shane Flanagan told this masthead. “He’s got inflammation in the lining around his heart, and it’s come from a previous infection. He had the flu a few weeks ago, and they think it’s come from that. He needs more tests. It’s serious. He’s still in hospital on painkillers.”
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