Flanagan finalises move to Bulldogs with three-year deal

Shocked and disappointed. !!! . I'm not sure if I'd be shocked particularly after they got rid of Pearce. Disappointed - yes . East's probably saw in his 12 months there he wasn't going to be the one to take them forward. And they got rid of him before November 1 so I suspect there's already a replacement lined up. He needed to be the driving force particularly when Keary was sidelined. I'm not surprised he's gone.

A bit more to this than meets the eye , I’m sure.

Phil, that or they have someone else lined up.

They reckon they can get by with Lamb who was pretty good at 9 when he played and then bring on Walker who they have really high hopes for. QLD need a young half so I don't mind if he's as good as they say.

I am not sure this is a scape goat decision but more they don't want to pay for a half who will be surpassed very soon by Sam Walker. They have to try and give money to all the internationals and Origin players in the rest of the squad.

They have Sam Walker. He might just start in the 7 next year.

Bizarre, truly bizarre. I would have thought Flanagan was preserving with. A writer, I can't recall who, recently wrote disparagingly of Robinson, suggesting he can't develop players like Bellamy or Bennett, & prefers recruiting players who are already the finished product. That's a brutal assessment, & I don't know if it's accurate. But other Roarers closer to the game might have a more informed opinion about this.

The Dogs look to be building a pretty solid squad, especially if they add Addo Carr, and somewhat ironically I think the weakest link may well prove to be the new head coach. I don't think much of Barrett, other than as a halves coach/mentor, and I really feel sorry for Pay, and think he is/would be a much better FG coach. Pay inherits an underperforming squad loaded with back ended deals only to become the scapegoat for "managements", well serious lack thereof (management). Now, going forward, pretty much any coach will improve the Dogs performance, justifying the Boards decision to replace Pay, even Barrett (if only for a year or 2).

Unrealistic expectations and needing a scapegoat for missing a threepeat would be behind it. He is a good young player and nobody will fill Cronk's boots. Other players in that group should be putting their hands up, the kid did alright and wasn't the reason they lost. Doesn't look like the type to have an off-filed issue so I can't agree with the chook's move here. Maybe they need space for Joseph Suaalii after their successful interference in the Souths contract. Your mob is starting to look good and there is a strong rumour about JOC joining the gang. I did have you as '21 spooners, but I doubt that now.

You may have nailed it there BD. Some comments earlier on suggested there may be something behind the sacking other than footy talent. When the young bloke was dropped his father rang Robinson to demand an answer, according to reports at the time. Coaches don't want or need parental interference especially if the player is over sixteen.

So who was the right player ???

It's a big step up from Canterbury Cup and also filling Cronks shoes. I think Cronk may have had some input in cutting him loose . He may do ok at the Dog's but he doesn't want his father giving advice to Barrett . He's going to have to stand up on his own 2 feet. Good luck to him but it's going to be a lot harder at the dogs.

Smart move Bulldogs. Dumb move Roosters. Short term thinking scapegoating the wrong player.

I like the kid. Bargain price and he's a great goal kicker. Good one Doggies.

There's your issue John, you need a Qlder to guide the chooks to any success. Flannagan was no good so Lam or Walker might be better to partner that other Qlder - Keary.

I hope Doggies fans don't expect miracles from Flanagan from round 1. Remember, this is a guy who's only 22 and has only played 29 first grade games. He's coming into a side with a new coach who will likely need a season or two to get his squad down pat, especially his pack. Flanagan will also need to get his combinations going but as others have pointed out, the Doggies spine has been a lot like the mighty Dragons - a different one almost every week. The fact he has a 3 year deal in theory means the Bulldogs think he's got plenty of potential that might take a year or two to come good. I wouldn't be concerned in the slightest about why Easts let him go. IMO, Flanagan is certainly one of the top 10 halves in the NRL and if he can settle in, seems to have the potential to significantly higher.

Not worth the paper they are written on. Loyalty from club to player and vice versa is non existent as sport is a business hence no room for sentiment.

Thanks mate - pun intended! :stoked:

"A pack made up of a combination of Hetherington, Thompson....." ....let's hope we can get them both on the field at the same time! (...the judiciary might get a little busy Baz!) ;)

"Dogs Breakfast" Well done Crispy