St George Illawarra's new playmaker, Daniel Atkinson, has dismissed any pressure to succeed where Lachlan Ilias failed, declaring himself a 'totally different player' as he prepares to lead the Dragons' charge back to the NRL finals.
A Fresh Start After Ilias's Bitter Departure
The Dragons' halfback role has been a point of contention. This time last year, coach Shane Flanagan had anointed Ilias as the starting No.7 for the 2025 season. However, the plan unravelled, with Ilias dropped midway through the year and later released to join the Gold Coast Titans. On his way out, Ilias expressed bitterness towards Flanagan and his treatment at the club.
Now, Flanagan has placed his faith in 24-year-old Daniel Atkinson, confirming the former Cronulla Shark will be the Dragons' starting halfback for the 2026 campaign. 'That's one of the main reasons I came here, is the trust and faith the club, Flanno, and Benny Haran had in me,' Atkinson said, having completed his first two weeks of preseason training.
Atkinson Embraces the Opportunity and Pressure
When asked about the pressure of filling a role that saw his predecessor's messy exit, Atkinson was unequivocal. 'I'm a totally different player. This is a totally different opportunity. I can't see the pressure in that, to be honest with you,' he stated.
Atkinson arrives seeking the consistent game time he lacked at Cronulla, where he came off the bench 15 times and started just once in 2025 despite a breakout 2024 season. His mission is clear: to end the Dragons' finals drought, which stretches back to 2018. 'It's a huge club, and I think when we get going, the fans are really gonna notice how good a squad we have,' he said. 'Hopefully, we can get the whole south coast going again.'
Las Vegas Launch and Settling into the Red V
Atkinson's first official game in Dragons colours will be a blockbuster occasion: the 2026 season opener against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Las Vegas on March 1. It will be his second consecutive trip to Sin City for an NRL match, having travelled with the Sharks in 2025.
Despite knowing no one at the club initially, Atkinson praised his new teammates for making him feel welcome, singling out captain Kyle Flanagan. 'The boys, the whole club in general, have been unreal to me, really welcoming,' he said. 'I feel fully settled in now... I'm actually really looking forward to coming to training day in, day out.'
With the trust of his coach and a fresh start ahead, Daniel Atkinson is focused on the hard work required to turn the Dragons' fortunes around and finally bring finals football back to the Illawarra.
