Kyle Flanagan is fighting to regain his position in the Bulldogs first grade side, with insiders claiming he’s ready to “do whatever it takes” to earn back his spot as club patsy.
But coach Trent Barrett has given the 22-year-old no guarantees on a recall, promising to continue dumping him until he turns around the club’s misfiring offense, and its decision to retain Brent Sherwin over Johnathon Thurston 15 years ago.
Flanagan is stuck on the fringes in the midst of Canterbury’s record streak of mediocrity, with its last moment of genuine contentment predating his childhood way back in 2004 BC (Before Castle).
The halfback has not been sighted in the top side since being demoted two weeks ago for extinguishing Barrett’s attacking genius, a notorious phenomenon which shone brightly at the heavily-resourced Panthers but not at Manly with the scant facilities of a solitary Tom Trbojevic.
Flanagan was denounced for not “running the ball more”, despite the side only holding on to it for approximately seven minutes per game, a total that includes warm-up and ball boys.
Furthermore, it was rumoured Bulldogs officials had grown impatient with their new recruit after he was generously afforded nine games without resolving the club’s boardroom war.
But, despite the axing, Barrett threw his support behind Flanagan by labelling him his “number-one long-term lamb to the slaughter” which he reaffirmed by feeding him like a piece of two-minute steak to a waiting press pack of piranhas.
He also praised the 39-gamer for competently fulfilling his brief as a like-for-like replacement after superbly back-filling the absent role left by departed fall guy Dean Pay.
Barrett has also since named the former Rooster in his extended 21-man squad for this Saturday’s match against the Gold Coast, presumably so he can be dropped an hour before kick-off as punishment for Des Hasler signing Tony Williams.
However, the axing for the Raiders clash ultimately failed to bear fruit for Barrett, with his men falling short against undermanned opposition thanks chiefly to Flanagan’s minimal impact from the sideline.
Flanagan’s ostracising at the Dogs follows his curious axing from the Roosters last year, with the powerhouse club cutting him adrift after destroying their three-peat by scoring too many points and not being Cooper Cronk.
This elevated the goal-kicking playmaker to rugby league’s vast halls of halfback Cancel Culture, a concept whereby an entire club’s woes are blamed on the playmaker – unless that playmaker is Luke Brooks.
At the current rate of condemnation, Flanagan could join names like Mitchell Pearce, Ben Hunt and Brett Kimmorley, the latter who is still ignored by window washers at traffic lights for an errant cut-out pass over a decade ago.
Flanagan’s fine reputation means he is never short of offers, with recent reports linking him to the Sharks after the club made a series of abysmal administrative decisions that require accountability.
However, it is unclear if Flanagan remains in the Bulldogs’ long-term plans or if he is simply keeping the seat warm until the Panthers end the Matt Burton stalemate, a painful wait for the Bankstown-based club that coincidentally is also Flanagan’s doing.
Woofwoof
Roar Rookie
This is way too harsh on Shifty Sherwin. Twas Anasta on whom the doggies erred. I still wake in a deep sweat at night lamenting the decision to let Thurston go to keep Anasta, only for the great overrated to be signed by the Roosters a season or two later. To be clear though, I am not lamenting Anasta walking away, loved that, just that we let Thurston go to keep him.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
It’s full of wit and satire, Dane is very talented.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
Dane, much of this article seems factually inaccurate. Disappointing.
Dutski
Roar Guru
It even says Satire above the article header for the slow of comprehension
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Yes, he is kidding. That's the point of a satirical article. Dane writes satirical articles.
Kman
Roar Rookie
Another brilliant piece Dane, your consistency puts the Panthers in the shade :laughing:
Malo
Guest
He doesn’t offer much, send him to dad at the Sharks. The roosters made him look good.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
One of the problems is is carrying his old man on one shoulder and the weight of the rugby league world on the other . Young Arthur is another that we shouldn't put expectations on .
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Nice one Dane. To date, I can’t say I have witnessed anything that supports Flanagan is an NRL level half - nor have I witnessed anything that suggests Barrett is an NRL level coach.
HENRIK
Guest
I think he is a scape goat for a average Coach. Barret did nothing with the Eagles and i couldnt believe he was getting all the credit in the Press for the Panthers. The Panthers havent missed a beat since he left and the Dogs are worse than when Pay was in Charge
Paul
Roar Guru
Dane, I know you do a tonne of research including stats before naming guys Club scapegoats. At 22, does Flanagan have the chance to be the longest serving scapegoat in the history of the Bulldogs or the NRL?
kk
Roar Pro
2004BC (Before Castle) Thank you Professor Eldridge. At last, some one writing about Canterbury who understands the trials and tribulations of the greatest crusade in the history of the code. The putting it all together to hold the Provan - Summons trophy aloft and get drunk for a year. To celebrate the failure of the back- ended contract and the total cost thereof. Alas, this is the seventeenth winter of our discontent. And ,as is the custom of the blue and whites it is imperative to find a scapegoat. Enter the Easts reject, Kyle Flanagan. My deepest apologies Kyle. You have put your body on the line. You deserved better.
Charlie Carroll
Guest
You are kidding, Flanagan is carrying an injury and like all players not performing to the coaches wishes gets the chance to correct his game heal and return.. or should he be left out for the vultures to pick at like Milford remaining in the side when form dictates otherwise... what a whimsical angle and poor excuse for an article.
Tony
Roar Guru
:laughing: I'd be happy to be the scapegoat for that sort of money
Bleedsgreenand gold
Roar Rookie
Quite well actually. Just check out Hunt, Ash Taylor and Anthony Milford to see how thoroughly lucrative being the scapegoat is.
Tony
Roar Guru
I wonder how "scapegoat" money compares to "fullback" money these days? Every team needs a scapegoat, whether it be the coach or a player. McGregor did a great job at the Dragons for 7 years. A remarkable performance, and now they've got McGuire.
Tony
Roar Guru
And he'll want to play fullback after a couple of weeks
Tom G
Roar Rookie
The kid isn’t a great player but he’s certainly not the worst first grade half in the competition. Not whilst Luke Brooks is around. He has made two poor career choices however, the first in going to fill massive boots at the Roosters followed by a shift to a side that is trying to navigate its way through a rebuild. In both situations expectations have been wildly disproportionate to what he could bring to the team. He may have been better staying with the Sharks and accepting less whilst he developed his game.
Albo
Roar Rookie
It has been a tremendous performance by young Flanagan in grabbing the scapegoat's title at the Dogs from such a myriad of worthy candidates for the role ! I think one of the mob from Bridge St Belmore would have been more deserving of the title !
Dutski
Roar Guru
Dammit Dane you are 100% right. He wasn’t Cooper Cronk. Hats off to the Roosters for spotting that after only one year. I wonder how long it will take for the Bulldogs to figure it out? ;-)