Kyle Flanagan has backed St George Illawarra’s pursuit of Tom Dearden and says he hopes Ben Hunt stays at the club, even if it costs him a spot in the Dragons halves.
Flanagan is now two weeks into his first pre-season in Wollongong under father Shane, after going uncontracted at Canterbury at the end of last season.
The 25-year-old is expected to start 2024 at five-eighth alongside Ben Hunt, with Talatau Amone stood down after being found guilty of assault.
But there is an even greater lingering uncertainty about the Dragons halves.
The club have knocked back requests from Hunt to be released from the final two years of his contract, while Shane Flanagan told AAP this week he was keen to sign off-contract North Queensland playmaker Dearden.
All of which, could threaten Kyle Flanagan’s first-grade spot.
“When I was probably coming into first grade at 19 or 20, I would probably be thinking ‘what’s going on here, I don’t want this’,” he said.
“But I’m at a stage in my career where I want these players to come to our club and fighting for spots. You want to be part of good footy teams. I’m open to anything like that.”
Flanagan also has the same approach with Hunt’s future, who his father Shane is adamant he can convince to stay with some shrewd recruitment and on-field success.
“I’m at a stage now in my career where I’m not too fussed about what position I play,” Flanagan Jnr said.
“I want good players in my team. If I’m playing off the bench or I’m not even playing, I’m not too fussed.
“I just want to be part of a good organisation and a good footy team that’s winning games.”
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Flanagan said he was open to spending time at No.14 or dummy-half, having thanked Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo for seeing a hooker in him.
A high-profile Sydney Roosters recruit in 2020 and marquee signing at Canterbury in 2021, Flanagan does not have the same pressure on him at the Dragons.
“I definitely feel the weight off my shoulders,” he said.
“It’s not about me here at the Dragons. I’m looking just to play my role at the club.
“And wherever I fit in, I fit in. I’m just gonna go about my business like I always do.”
It’s something his father Shane is also mindful of. “He’s had a tough couple of years,” the coach told AAP. “The Roosters had to make a decision on Luke Keary with Walker or Kyle. And they went with Walker. That happens.
“So he moved on and he’s had a lot of weight on his shoulders at the Bulldogs. They were a club trying to turn it around and a lot of responsibility fell on his shoulders. And when they lost it it was heavy.
“Him coming here, the pressures on everyone not Kyle. He’s the new face, we’re not expecting Kyle to change the world down here.”
Albo
Roar Rookie
Dearden is Origin class. Flanagan is Newtown class.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I’m not sold on Dearden. A solid half, but I don’t think any better or worse than Flanno Jnr.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Ben Hunt is a 9. Nothing to see here.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Agreed. Some guys really struggle when they hit first grade and I think Kyle's one of those. I'm he and everyone else is hoping he's something of a late bloomer.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
I'd be delighted if he plays well but so far he's been borderline 1st grader.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Hopefully for Dragons supporters Flanagan can make some serious improvements to his game so he is rated highly. I'm sure nobody's holding their breath, but it'd be nice for this Club to have a win for a change.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Don't rate him but do rate Dearden....big time
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Young Flanno will have a different sort of pressure on him at Saints and it will look a bit like young Arthur at the Eels with his old man as coach. Super League is where the pressure will come off. Most of us couldn't deal with the sort of pressure Flanno junior has been under in his career, but some can and have and a great example is Nathan Cleary. He's had his critics all along and I had my doubts as well due to his lack of impact, but his ability to deal with everything and get better separates him from most of the pack.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Young Flanagan was doing really well till he said "If I’m playing off the bench or I’m not even playing, I’m not too fussed." He clearly wants to be supportive of Dad, his team mates and his new Club, which is great, but there's not a player in the game who would be happy "not even playing". Hopefully his talent means he doesn't spend any time out of the playing squad
andrew
Roar Rookie
The Titans are still showing interest. It's becoming Groundhog Day.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Let's hope not. Hunt made an absolute mess of that at Origin but I don't think he enjoyed that circus any more than the club did. Chances are he'll be more discreet in any future negotiations - regardless of his intentions or where he ends up. It'll remain an off-season story when there's nothing else to write about but if it doesn't get more oxygen it'll surely smolder out. Kyle isn't a game-changing recruit but who knows? He has some experience under his belt now and the expectation of developing into a rep star has left the building long ago. He might come good.
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
I'd rather we had moved him on, difficult to say he earned his coin.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I just hope Saints season isn't railroaded by Ben Hunt's will he or won't he stay. Kyle's a reasonable buy and should fit in well.