Tim Sheens was a notable absence from the Wests Tigers presentation evening – despite showing up to the Panthers Old Boy’s Day celebrations this weekend.
The veteran coach, who was nominally still in charge at the Tigers until last week, brushed the traditional end-of-season get together after being informed that he would not continue for the second year of his planned stint in charge, with the club giving understudy Benji Marshall the reins a year early.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Tigers had wished for Sheens to attend the event but he was a no show. They are looking to arrange a further lunch in Sheens’ honour next week.
Sheens is the only coach to deliver a Premiership in the history of the joint venture but relations have been strained following a second successive wooden spoon.
He remains a legend at Penrith, however, and was seen on the pitch before Saturday’s win over the Cowboys as part of their Old Boy’s Day celebration – and was even wearing a Panthers hat. Sheens made over 150 appearances for Penrith and coached them through the mid-1980s.
Kyle Flanagan has insisted that he will not receive any preferential treatment at St George Illawarra after signing to play under his father at the club.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Flanagan insisted that he had been given ‘no guarantees’ of where he might play, or if he will play at all.
“Any suggestion I’ve got a spot in the halves or at hooker, on the bench, whatever is off the mark,” he said.
“I don‘t know what 2024 looks like. I’m going to the Saints without any guarantee of a position and I’m up for that challenge.
“I am looking forward to working with him to strive for a common goal. I want to help bring success to the Dragons and absolutely he does too.
“I’ve signed with the Dragons because an opportunity has emerged that otherwise may not have been around had I not been offered the shot to play hooker at Canterbury.
“I’ve got to thank Cameron Ciraldo for having trust in me to learn a new position and also, do it to the best of my ability.
“I’ve learned so much about the game working under Ciro this year. That move he made opened up my eyes to playing a position that suits my natural ability and I’ve enjoyed it.
“I have a new string to my bow that may not have been realised and that‘s an option that I can do for St George-Illawarra now.
“I’m approaching my sixth season now as an NRL player and what I take from that is that with every season, I’ve gained a stack of experience as a person and a footy player.
“I’m turning 25 next week and I believe the next two years, with putting more work into my game, I can enjoy some of my most consistent years.
“Playing NRL isn’t easy, it challenges you everyday, but honestly, I’ve taken so much from every challenge that has come my way.
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