Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett has labelled the criticism of the decision to recall Kyle Flanagan as “very disappointing” and said the much-maligned halfback has earned his place in the Bulldogs’ NRL side this weekend.
Speaking ahead of his team’s clash with the Panthers at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, Barrett pointed to Flanagan’s record in reserve grade and said the decision to bring him back was based on long-term planning and his own performances.
“He’s done really well,” Barrett said. “He deserves a spot back in the side. Our reserve grade side are undefeated and he’s been a big part of that.”
“I’m really happy for him. He’s deserved his spot to come back in and what better way than against Penrith.
“(The criticism was) very disappointing. We’d like to be looking at the other side of it and celebrating how hard Kyle’s worked to get back in the team.
“He has worked hard and I know that the last 12 months have been difficult for him. He’s put himself in a position where he’s played well in NSW Cup and we’ve rewarded a few guys that have played well there.”
The decision to bring Flanagan in from the cold has been discussed to death in the media, with suggestions of a “duty of care” even raised towards the player in bringing him back for a game that is widely seen as a hiding to nothing for the Dogs as they face the unbeaten Premiers.
Barrett said it was a case of horses for courses and Flanagan could offer something against the Panthers that the other two halfbacks who have featured this season, Jake Averillo and Brandon Wakeham, could not.
“There were discussions that we had with Kyle and the other people close to Kyle about how we wanted him to develop, and we thought that he needed time to work on a few things in his game. To his credit, he’s done it,” he explained.
“That’s where the focus should be. Not on the rest of the innuendo.
“But he’s earned his spot. Where that gets misconstrued, I don’t know, but I’ve got a team to look after. I just want to coach them and win this weekend and that’s my focus.
“He’s controlled our reserve grade team really well. He’s played on the ball at halfback. We’re four from four there and it’s hard to ignore that sort of form. He’s scored a lot of points, he’s kicking well and his attitude has been really good.
“He can bring direction. Our attack inside 20 has been a little bit ordinary and particularly against Melbourne, we had opportunities where we needed to come over some points.
“Melbourne are difficult team to score against, but there were opportunities there and that’s a strong part of Kyle’s game.
“The other two add something different but and they are completely different, the three of them.
“Some of the things that Kyle has been doing in the twos are things that we wanted him to work on, and he’s done really well.
“They’re things that we look at and when we pick teams we don’t just pull the names out of the hat. There’s a fair bit that goes into it.
“It was always coming. He was knocking on the door, we had a plan with Kyle and it’s worked so he finds himself back in first grade where he wants to be.
“It’s pressure that he doesn’t need in what should be a week where he should be really proud of himself.”
Bulldogs GM Phil Gould said yesterday that any criticism of the decision to bring Flanagan back should be directed at him rather than Barrett.
“It’s my responsibility for how Kyle has been prepared for this season and when he comes back into the NRL,” he said on his Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
“Not Trent Barrett, not the Bulldogs. That’s me. If (the club’s critics) want to come at me with duty of care and coaching and development of players — and I’ve developed a few players in my career — then I’m happy to debate them anywhere, anytime.
“But this vitriolic and vehement attack on our coach and on the club, it won’t be tolerated. If they want to come at anyone, come at me.
Barrett, speaking for the first time on the situation, backed Gould’s intervention.
“Gus is the GM here and we discuss a lot of things,” he said. “It was good of him to come out and say what he said. We work closely together.
“We had a plan from the get-go. I think it’s worked and I think Kyle’s performances in NSW Cup have helped him, relaxed him a little bit and he’s playing well.
“They’re the only factors that really came into it. When we thought he was ready, we were both of the opinion that it was time to bring him back in. It’ll be good to see him play.”
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RLFan
Roar Rookie
If I had $10 for every "next big thing", who have sunk without a trace, I would be rich. Sometimes, I think it is the kiss of death. For some reason Flanagan has been singled out for extra attention, which is unfortunate as I think he has been overrated from an early age. I hope for his sake that he manages to become a solid No. 7 and secures a future in league
Malo
Guest
Flanagan is too slow and will be shown up. They willl get whipped. Gus should do all the after conferences so Barrett can hide all year.
Red Eric
Roar Rookie
How embarrassing for Barrett having to admit he is Gould’s puppet.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
He's 24 this year and it's not his fault the club decided to form out $400-500k per annum for him . It's time for him to step up and I hope he succeeds but the media have already put the kiss of death on him . In time he may achieve his goal but now is the time for him to display some of that reserve grade form and no better place than against a top side . Not much good later in the season when their finals opportunity are gone . If he does fail whoever signed him has got some exposing to do . We here it every year of young players being touted as future stars and SOO players . Many try but few succeed .
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
“It’s my responsibility for how Kyle has been prepared for this season and when he comes back into the NRL...” “Not Trent Barrett, not the Bulldogs. That’s me..." “... If they want to come at anyone, come at me." Strange words from someone who you think will say "it's not my fault."
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Munster would be a terrible fit at the Bulldogs, both for his behaviour and his style of play. They need an organiser, not necessarily a high profile one like Reynolds, and Flanagan hopefully fits the bill without needing to go back to the market.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
No way is Gould responsible for which grade Flanagan is selected in.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
If the Bulldogs don’t win within the next 3 weeks, it won’t be Gus putting his hand up saying ‘it was my fault.’
RLFan
Roar Rookie
The media attention has been absolutely crazy - is it because Kyle's father works for Fox. He is not the first halfback to be dropped and re-instated. When it happens to others, it barely raises Buzz's eyebrows or a line in the Tele. The media are the ones putting pressure on the eve of the game with Penrith. Also I will be very surprised if the rumour about the Bulldogs being interested in Munster is based on fact.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Burto goes to 3 or Cam goes to 1.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
A lot of people quote Braiff here https://twitter.com/ShitBraithSays
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Gould is taking the pressure off barrett, and making the usual clowns at News focus on Gould, not Flanagan. Gould and Bennett have been doing it for 30 years
The Barry
Roar Guru
It’s ridiculous criticism suggesting Flanagan is being set up Ask him if he wants to play on Sunday or wait a week because the panthers might be a bit scary… see what he says While it’s not solely their fault, neither Averillo or Wakeham were working in the 7 This rubbish also shows how easily some people are led by the nose… for the first time ever I saw someone quoting Braith Anasta this week… :sick: :laughing: :sick:
Adam
Roar Guru
Just ask the Tigers
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Talk of Kyle development while the Dogs are now apparently in the hunt for Munster's signature. Burton already out of sorts? If the interest in Munster is true then this club is trying a quick fix to get into premiership contention and that strategy has a poor record of success.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Just ridiculous the attention this has got. its not like Barrett was making Cam Munster or Tommy Turbo find form in NSW Cup, it was Kyle Flanagan. I will say, they could have just held a press conference on Team List Tuesday, and explained they had a development plan for Kyle, building him up to return to first grade, and it would have mitigated a good chunk of all the media noise.
Clint
Roar Rookie
I don't get the media attention around this. Isn't it good to have players competing for spots in your first grade team? While he hasn't set the world on fire I think he's got the potential to be a solid organising half (Cronk was never a natural either) and I think he could potentially be a good halves partner for Burton. They need to try something to unlock their attack a bit and start getting some points on the board.
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
No doubt that Canterbury will get rolled by Penrith, and some heads will roll. Let's hope that Flanagan is retained in the team for a while to see what he can do, and how he combines with Burton.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
The fact that Barrett had to ask for Gus's permission says it all .