The outcome of the Flanagan case could have a significant impact on the Dragons’ finals hopes, as they finish ninth. They still have games against the Titans, Sharks, Eels and Raiders.

Jack Wighton was the latest player to be found guilty of biting, banned for three matches following an incident involving Newcastle’s Tyson Gamble while playing for Canberra in the finals series last year. Kevin Proctor was suspended for four matches for biting Shaun Johnson in 2020.

If Flanagan is ruled out, Jack Bird and Jesse Marshcke, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, are possible replacements. Another option is Lyhkan King-Togia, who is seen as a future first-grade player and was a star in the NSW Cup last month.

Meanwhile, Dragons mainstay Hame Sele remains in hospital and is unlikely to play again this year due to heart complications. Sele was taken to St George’s Hospital at half-time on Saturday with chest tightness and remained in the emergency department for more than 24 hours undergoing tests.

“He has a form of pleurisy,” coach Shane Flanagan said in the article. “He has inflammation in the lining around his heart, and that’s from an infection. He had the flu a few weeks ago and they think it’s from that. He needs more tests. It’s serious. He’s still in the hospital on painkillers.”

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