Flanagan addresses ‘challenge’ of father’s Dragons exit
Jasper Bruce |
St George Illawarra halfback Kyle Flanagan has credited his upbringing for steeling him for such “challenges” as his father’s departure from the struggling NRL side.
Shane Flanagan stepped down as coach in April with the Dragons on an 11-game losing streak, a slide that ended at 15 losses following Sunday’s win against Brisbane.
In the days after the Dragons stunned the reigning premiers for their first win since August, the younger Flanagan publicly addressed the tumultuous chapter for the first time.
“It’s definitely been a challenge,” Flanagan said.
“The old man’s come out the last couple of weeks and said his part on it. For me, I’ll probably touch on it a bit further down the track.
“I love competing with my teammates and helping this team and this club win. That’s where my focus is.”
Media claims of nepotism had dogged the younger Flanagan under his father at the Dragons.
As Saints battled in the bottom half of the ladder last year, the elder Flanagan preferred his son in the halves to both Jonah Glover, who enjoyed a fantastic NSW Cup season, and recruit Lachlan Ilias.
The coach was also reluctant to hand teenage halves prospect Kade Reed a debut this season amid the worst losing streak in the joint venture’s history.
Glover and Ilias have since left the Dragons, while Dean Young promoted Reed to the starting side at Flanagan’s expense in his first selection call as interim coach.
Reed’s long-term finger injury ultimately forced Young to recall Flanagan after two games out of the starting side.
Extra scrutiny has been nothing new for Flanagan, who felt his resilience may have come from his childhood.
“Possibly my upbringing,” he said.
“You go through tough times, I guess every footballer has different scenarios that they go through when they’re younger, but different challenges have been thrown my way.
“I just like to keep turning up and facing challenges head on. Just keep turning up, getting better.”
Flanagan, a new father, said his young family gave him reason to persevere.
“It comes back to why you started and the goals you have within the game,” he said
“What’s your ‘why’? What’s the reason you want to get out of bed every morning and come down here to Wollongong?
“(Mine is) my family. That’s obviously a why for a lot of footy players. You go out there to do the best for your family.”
AAP