Despite a heavy 62-16 Anzac Day defeat, Misryoum reports Dean Young will keep Kade Reed as St George Illawarra’s starting halfback.
An Anzac Day humbling can wipe out confidence, but for St George Illawarra, it became the backdrop for a key decision: Kade Reed will keep the halfback role after a bruising 62-16 loss.
For Dragons fans, the stakes were clear from the start.. Reed was handed his NRL debut during the traditional Anzac Day clash against the Sydney Roosters. shortly after the club moved on from Shane Flanagan.. The match ended with the Roosters dominating from start to finish. pushing the Dragons’ losing streak deeper into a long. difficult stretch.
Still, amid the scoreboard pressure, Reed showed flashes that stood out to interim coach Dean Young.. Misryoum reports that Reed’s creativity nearly produced early momentum. including a play that was later withdrawn due to a prior knock-on.. He also applied pressure near the line and helped spark the kind of attacking intent that looked rare for the team on the day.
**Insight:** This matters because, in moments like these, the public lesson is not only about the result but about identifying who can carry responsibility when confidence is low. Reed’s brief bursts of impact may shape how the Dragons try to rebuild structure and belief.
There were additional glimpses of potential as the game unfolded.. Misryoum details how Reed’s attacking pressure forced a goal-line dropout. and how later he connected with teammates to produce the Dragons’ first try.. Even when the Dragons struggled to sustain attack. those sequences suggested there is still a pathway for playmaking that goes beyond desperation.
Young. for his part. framed the debut as a tough ask. especially with the club entering the match on a rough run.. Misryoum reports he said Reed has “a lot to work on,” but also pointed to “good signs” worth building on.. With the team preparing to face Newcastle, Young made his message simple: Reed remains the halfback.
**Insight:** The selection decision signals that the coaching staff may be prioritizing development over short-term reshuffling. In a season where results are spiraling, giving a consistent role can help stabilize decision-making and timing, even as the team rebuilds.
With a bye and the next match approaching, Young said he would review footage before making broader selection calls. That review comes after a performance where other key contributors struggled to generate sustained attacking spark, leaving plenty of work for the interim group to correct the basics.
**Insight:** For Misryoum readers watching this story unfold. the real question is how quickly the Dragons can turn lessons from a heavy defeat into cleaner execution.. Reed staying at seven keeps focus on potential. while the rest of the squad faces the same demand: tighten the game. start scoring for longer periods. and stop the momentum from flipping instantly against them.