Shane Flanagan may have some black marks against his name, but he knows how unite players behind a common cause, write Brent Read and Michael Carayannis.

Shane Flanagan was hard at work on Sydney’s northern beaches on Tuesday when his return to head coaching was rubber-stamped by the St George Illawarra board.

After one false start and weeks of indecision, the Dragons finally had their man. Not just any man either. Flanagan is a premiership winner with a 55 per cent win record, and tried and tested ability to turn struggling clubs into perennial contenders.

Sure, he has some well-documented black marks against his name but he also knows how to get the best out of players and unite them behind a common cause.

God knows the Dragons need some of that at the moment. The club has been treading water for years, churning through coaches but failing to go close to matching their 2010 premiership success.

That side was coached by a bloke named Wayne Bennett, who arrived at the Dragons with six premierships to his name and added another one with the Red V.

Flanagan is the first Dragons coach since Bennett with a title win on his resume and the hope is that he can have a similar effect to the super coach by sprinkling magic dust over a club that has laboured for too long.

Importantly, he also has the Dragons in his blood. He played Jersey Flegg, SG Ball and President’s Cup for St George before making his first grade debut at the Dragons, playing three games for the club before moving elsewhere.

He returned for a short time as an assistant coach to McGregor and then as a list management consultant but his desire has always been to be a head coach again and he has his chance despite attempts to derail his bid over the past week.

His critics dredged up his time at the Sharks during the peptide scandal and his subsequent de-registration for failing to comply with the rules around his suspension.

There were suggestions the Dragons should have held the line and rejected his return. Flanagan has addressed the issue publicly and privately in recent weeks as he emerged as a leading contender for the Dragons job, insisting he has learned his lessons and will return a better coach.

The past, however, wasn’t the Dragons’ concern. Only the future. They were already leaning towards an experienced coach after being snubbed by Jason Ryles, who opted for the Storm when the St George Illawarra job was at his mercy.

Ben Hornby and Dean Young were also in the mix but Flanagan was the preferred option of senior figures at the club. They just needed to convince the rest of the board. On Tuesday morning they did just that.

The Dragons were back on the same page and once again pulling in the same direction. So much for a board that can’t work together. They found a way and the club will be better for it.

Flanagan will finish the year at Manly but he will also be doing his best to ensure the Dragons are in good shape when he arrives. He has already spoken to captain Ben Hunt and there will be further chats as Flanagan attempts to ensure he has a squad at his disposal capable of playing finals football.

Doubts over Hunt’s future at the Dragons have likely been erased. Flanagan will play him halfback and Hunt will be happy. He has other personnel decisions to make but he has time on his side. His period out of the game taught him the value of patience and perseverance.

They are two qualities that will come in handy in his new job.