Kyle Flanagan has been released from hospital following a sickening head clash that knocked the St George Illawarra five-eighth unconscious for an estimated five minutes. The discharge comes less than 24 hours after the Dragons' five-eighth collided with teammate Hayden Buchanan in Robina on Sunday night.
Flanagan left the Dragons' 22-14 loss to Gold Coast in an ambulance and on a stretcher following the collision with teammate Hayden Buchanan in the second half. Flanagan collided with teammate Hayden Buchanan in the 61st minute as both went to tackle Titans debutant hooker Oliver Pascoe.
The incident triggered immediate concern at Cbus Super Stadium. The Red V playmaker was motionless on the ground for minutes, but thankfully was moving his arms as he was placed on a medicab and taken from the field. The 27-year-old managed to speak to his father, Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, under Cbus Super Stadium after regaining consciousness and called his wife and mother to update them on his condition.
Coach Flanagan voiced significant concern immediately after the match. He said his son was knocked unconscious for what witnesses estimated to be five minutes, describing the situation as worrying. He said: "He is talking. He was a bit agitated. He is one of the toughest kids you are ever going to see, so he didn't want to go in the ambulance. He'd prefer to sit in the car, but that is just the way he is. It wasn't nice to see."
Flanagan's return to the field now depends on completion of the NRL's concussion management protocols. According to NRL guidelines, a player should not be allowed to return to play or train until they have had a formal medical clearance using the NRL Head Injury Recognition and Referral form by a doctor. A player who has suffered a concussion or potential concussion or exhibits the symptoms of concussion should not return to play in the same game (or on the same day), even if they appear to have recovered.
The injury marks another difficult moment for a Dragons side that has struggled to find form this season. The last-placed and winless Dragons have now equalled the worst losing streak in their history, with eight defeats in a row, stretching back to last year and equalling their 2021 losing trot.
For Flanagan, the road ahead centres on recovery rather than competition. The severity of the head knock means a cautious approach will govern any timeline for his return, with medical clearance essential before any training or game involvement resumes.