Frustrated? 'Without a doubt': Flannagan On Dragons Round 1 Loss

The first round of the 2026 season is off to a controversial start after a 90 minute Bulldogs - Dragons blockbuster was marred with a number of debatable referee decisions.

Asked in his post match press conference if he was frustrated with the result, Dragons head coach Shane Flanagan replied,' without a doubt'.

"I thought our atitude was outstanding," he said, "I felt maybe a draw was probably the right decision today."

"t's a tricky one because I think the NRL's done an outstanding job, The week's been fantastic, every promotion we've had to do, the Freemont Street and everything, and then the game gets decided like that, it's disappointing."

It was an 89th minute Golden-Point field goal via Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton that would decide the two points, but it was a play in the lead up that has left Dragons faithful miffed.

As the Bronson Xerri approached the halfway line with just over one minute left on the clock, the Bulldogs were awarded a strip penalty that left defenders Ryan Couchman and Damien Cook scratching their heads.

"It's a loose carry mate, every day of the week," Flannagan said post match.

"There's that, there's a lot of others as well."

"We didn't get the rub of the green that's for sure."

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo lauded his captains match winner.

"It looked like it was tracking towards a draw there and one point each and probably both teams deserve that," Ciraldo said.

"But credit to the guy on my left (Chricton), he's worked really hard for those moments and it was really fitting for him to get it on one of those big stages today."

Asked for his thoughts on the loose carry call, Ciraldo responded bluntly, 'didn't see it,' before laughing off any suggestions that his side may have had the 'rub of the green'.

While Flannagan and his Dragons will have to look towards their Round Two clash against Melbourne for their first competition points of the season, he left one one questioning his mood ahead of the sides return to Australia.

"The game is being put on a real high pedestal," Flannagan continued, "and I just thought tonight it shouldn't have been decided the way it was."

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Hero Image: Shane Flanagan. (Supplied - Dragons.com.au)