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Flanagan released from hospital after scary head clash
Jasper Bruce, AAP •  March 30th, 2026 1:50 pm
Kyle Flanagan | Photo: AAP
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.
Flanagan left the Dragons' 22-14 loss to Gold Coast in an ambulance and on a stretcher following a collision with teammate Hayden Buchanan in the second half.
But scans taken at Gold Coast University Hospital cleared Flanagan of a serious neck injury, with the 27-year-old due to fly home with the team as planned on Monday.
He will nevertheless be unavailable for the winless Dragons' round-five clash against North Queensland this Saturday under the NRL's 11-day stand-down rule for concussions.
A longer lay-off appears likely given Flanagan will need to be completely symptom-free before he returns to the field.
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"(Flanagan) will continue to be monitored by club medical staff under NRL concussion protocols regarding the return-to-play timeline," a Dragons club statement read.
On Sunday night, Flanagan managed to speak to his father, Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, under Cbus Super Stadium after regaining consciousness.
The five-eighth was also able to call his wife and mother to update them on his condition, but the elder Flanagan nevertheless held concerns after the game.
"He was unconscious for what someone said was five minutes, so that is a big concern," Shane Flanagan said post-match.
"I had to get myself together and regroup and know we have got good medical staff and he'd be OK."
Lyhkan King-Togia replaced Flanagan during the loss to the Titans and appears the likeliest to partner Dan Atkinson in the halves this weekend.
The 20-year-old hadn't made it onto the field at NRL level this season before Flanagan's injury but played 17 games last year.
The Dragons are looking to snap their equal-longest losing streak since their merger, having lost eight consecutive games dating back to last season.
