Kyle Flanagan

[R&WTILLIDIE]

Canterbury had a bigger gap between semis than us. If they can do it so can we.

Only way we can replicate what the dogs did is to get a bloke like Gould in charge

 

[True_Believer]

Like you said, Canberra is full of juniors, keen to get a fresh start. But they also can’t attract top talent (unless they’re from the UK). Same issue as us. They have to rely on juniors rather than trying to buy a premiership like other clubs are able to do.

Which is exactly what I think we have been trying to do. Rely on and build our juniors which we have been poor at in the past.

A few years ago there was a lot of talk about building better pathways and focusing on the junior teams. Given the performances of our junior teams (KOE and below) over the past 12/18 months, I think we're starting to see the fruits of that focus. And we're starting to seriously transition some of those juniors into the NRL team - and successfully. In the past we never managed that transition well - hence the long list of players that have fallen by the wayside.

Back to the thread title, my theory for the retention of the Kyle revolves around junior development and a lack of having a good quality half in the team.

When Flano first came on board, he worked hard to retain Hunt. Now I think this was to have an established half in the side while the junior halves were being prepared to be brought through. We don't want 2 rookie halves in the team at the same time - it's a recipe for disaster. We've seen that with other teams and even with our own team (Junior and Bud). However, Hunt sooked and we let him go - I suspect to limit the team disruption. First plan down the drain.

Around this time we enquired about Deardon but missed out. Outside of that, we've been limited with opportunity for other quality halves. Illias came on board with some experience and a hope that we could get the best out of him. I suspect it was a cheap singing. That didn't work out. The only other option for an experienced half was Kyle. Signed for 2 years to buy time for us to look for an alternative and to play a stable role in the halves while we manufacture and trial the juniors.

The reason I say manufacture is due to Kyle playing in the 6 and LKT playing in the 7. We're trying to manufacture a 7 from the players we have as I don't think either LKT or Glover are true 7s. Illias is the closest we have to a 7 but his decision making at critical times during the game has left a lot to be desired (and I suspect he has confidence issues). Kyle is currently playing the anchor role while they work on the juniors coming through.

I don't think Flano sees Kyle as being a mainstay in the team (and I don't think he particularly thinks he's the half we want at this time) - I just think he's made a decision to retain him to buy time to keep looking for another half and to ensure we've got an experienced first grader in the halves with the juniors.

 

[Mojo]

Which is exactly what I think we have been trying to do. Rely on and build our juniors which we have been poor at in the past.

A few years ago there was a lot of talk about building better pathways and focusing on the junior teams. Given the performances of our junior teams (KOE and below) over the past 12/18 months, I think we're starting to see the fruits of that focus. And we're starting to seriously transition some of those juniors into the NRL team - and successfully. In the past we never managed that transition well - hence the long list of players that have fallen by the wayside.

Back to the thread title, my theory for the retention of the Kyle revolves around junior development and a lack of having a good quality half in the team.

When Flano first came on board, he worked hard to retain Hunt. Now I think this was to have an established half in the side while the junior halves were being prepared to be brought through. We don't want 2 rookie halves in the team at the same time - it's a recipe for disaster. We've seen that with other teams and even with our own team (Junior and Bud). However, Hunt sooked and we let him go - I suspect to limit the team disruption. First plan down the drain.

Around this time we enquired about Deardon but missed out. Outside of that, we've been limited with opportunity for other quality halves. Illias came on board with some experience and a hope that we could get the best out of him. I suspect it was a cheap singing. That didn't work out. The only other option for an experienced half was Kyle. Signed for 2 years to buy time for us to look for an alternative and to play a stable role in the halves while we manufacture and trial the juniors.

The reason I say manufacture is due to Kyle playing in the 6 and LKT playing in the 7. We're trying to manufacture a 7 from the players we have as I don't think either LKT or Glover are true 7s. Illias is the closest we have to a 7 but his decision making at critical times during the game has left a lot to be desired (and I suspect he has confidence issues). Kyle is currently playing the anchor role while they work on the juniors coming through.

I don't think Flano sees Kyle as being a mainstay in the team (and I don't think he particularly thinks he's the half we want at this time) - I just think he's made a decision to retain him to buy time to keep looking for another half and to ensure we've got an experienced first grader in the halves with the juniors.

I agree but I suggest you should gird your loins for the inevitable feedback.

 

[Happy Old Dragon]

Which is exactly what I think we have been trying to do. Rely on and build our juniors which we have been poor at in the past.

A few years ago there was a lot of talk about building better pathways and focusing on the junior teams. Given the performances of our junior teams (KOE and below) over the past 12/18 months, I think we're starting to see the fruits of that focus. And we're starting to seriously transition some of those juniors into the NRL team - and successfully. In the past we never managed that transition well - hence the long list of players that have fallen by the wayside……

Back to the thread title, my theory for the retention of the Kyle revolves around junior development and a lack of having a good quality half in the team.

When Flano first came on board, he worked hard to retain Hunt. Now I think this was to have an established half in the side while the junior halves were being prepared to be brought through. We don't want 2 rookie halves in the team at the same time - it's a recipe for disaster. We've seen that with other teams and even with our own team (Junior and Bud). However, Hunt sooked and we let him go - I suspect to limit the team disruption. First plan down the drain.

Around this time we enquired about Deardon but missed out. Outside of that, we've been limited with opportunity for other quality halves. Illias came on board with some experience and a hope that we could get the best out of him. I suspect it was a cheap singing. That didn't work out. The only other option for an experienced half was Kyle. Signed for 2 years to buy time for us to look for an alternative and to play a stable role in the halves while we manufacture and trial the juniors.

The reason I say manufacture is due to Kyle playing in the 6 and LKT playing in the 7. We're trying to manufacture a 7 from the players we have as I don't think either LKT or Glover are true 7s. Illias is the closest we have to a 7 but his decision making at critical times during the game has left a lot to be desired (and I suspect he has confidence issues). Kyle is currently playing the anchor role while they work on the juniors coming through.

I don't think Flano sees Kyle as being a mainstay in the team (and I don't think he particularly thinks he's the half we want at this time) - I just think he's made a decision to retain him to buy time to keep looking for another half and to ensure we've got an experienced first grader in the halves with the juniors.

That was good read and I believe, it is an objective assessment.
Unfortunately we may be in for “lean times” until the juniors get up to speed or are intermingled with some better quality imports.
Attracting a couple of quality forwards, right now, would make a huge difference.
But that doesn’t look like it will happen any time soon…
And the draw for the remainder of the year is pretty scary.
Such is life.

 

[True_Believer]

That was good read and I believe, it is an objective assessment.
Unfortunately we may be in for “lean times” until the juniors get up to speed or are intermingled with some better quality imports.
Attracting a couple of quality forwards, right now, would make a huge difference.
But that doesn’t look like it will happen any time soon…
And the draw for the remainder of the year is pretty scary.
Such is life.

Agreed. We will be in for lean times if the current state of play continues. It's the recruitment that is holding us back at the moment (as you mentioned).

It's obvious that Flano thinks we need forwards as we've chased a number of them with no luck. I think he's trying to make the best of what we've got currently without compromising the pathways or putting any of the juniors under too much pressure.

 

[raydragon]

I get that sometimes. I’m guessing you’re from Illawarra, Ray

No not from Illawarra, but I believe the best part of Sydney is the harbour bridge in your review mirror on the way out. Go the dragons wherever they play.

 

[JamesRustle]

And the chooks, which is the team we beat in the last gf we won, have won 3 gf since then. Meanwhile we haven’t even looked like getting back to a gf.

I thought we looked like getting to a GF in 2011.

 

[JamesRustle]

Kyle tries hard

He's a shoe in for the coaches award.

 

[JamesRustle]

Flanno has lost my support mainly because I feel he has not gone after a proven halfback after letting Hunt go, purely to ensure his son gets selected in first-grade.

As far as props go, why did not he recrit a couple of union internationals?

Union props don't have the motor or lateral movement required in NRL. They would need to be coacable and you would have to put up with a few seasons of leaking plenty of tries through the middle.

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

I thought we looked like getting to a GF in 2011.

Me too mate. Then Bennett signed with the Knights mid way through the season and the team stopped caring about winning games

 

[Hard Yards]

Union props don't have the motor or lateral movement required in NRL. They would need to be coacable and you would have to put up with a few seasons of leaking plenty of tries through the middle.

Jarrod Saffy.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Jarrod Saffy.

Saffy played as a prop in league, but as a breakaway when he went back to Union.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Dragons skipper's telling admission on struggling halves

'We don't have time'

www.nine.com.au

 

[sammymills]

Union props don't have the motor or lateral movement required in NRL. They would need to be coacable and you would have to put up with a few seasons of leaking plenty of tries through the middle.

if you are going to get a player from union to play prop in league you need a 6,7 8 or 12. The skills of a rugby prop/lock don’t translate in league.

 

[Kit Kat]

On NRL360 Crawls made a good point about KF not being dropped. for this week's game. Looking at the tough run home the Dragons have, he said it will be pointless for the coach to drop KF after 1-2 matches if things don't go their way to then bring in bring in Ilias and expect him to win matches. He said he'll be setup for failure and will give Flanno the hide to say I told you so !

 

[since77]

On NRL360 Crawls made a good point about KF not being dropped. for this week's game. Looking at the tough run home the Dragons have, he said it will be pointless for the coach to drop KF after 1-2 matches if things don't go their way to then bring in bring in Ilias and expect him to win matches. He said he'll be setup for failure and will give Flanno the hide to say I told you so !

It’s hilarious the clowns on 360 or any of the other journalists never mention how pathetic our forwards are. Apparently it’s as easy as picking the other reserve grade standard halfback and all of a sudden our fortunes will change…..

 

[Inisai Toga]

That was good read and I believe, it is an objective assessment.
Unfortunately we may be in for “lean times” until the juniors get up to speed or are intermingled with some better quality imports.
Attracting a couple of quality forwards, right now, would make a huge difference.
But that doesn’t look like it will happen any time soon…
And the draw for the remainder of the year is pretty scary.
Such is life.

Well why not give the UK again like Canberra?

 

[Inisai Toga]

It’s hilarious the clowns on 360 or any of the other journalists never mention how pathetic our forwards are. Apparently it’s as easy as picking the other reserve grade standard halfback and all of a sudden our fortunes will change…..

Doesn’t ever really discuss any football analysis, does it? ; seems to be more focused on player movement, rumours and gossip..

 

[matPORTS]

This week was (and still is given we still have four days until the game) the time to drop Kyle.

As a minimum, Kyle needs to be out of the first receiver role and back into a second receiver role. This might mean Ilias coming in with King Togia having to drop out (but based on LPT dropping to the extended bench on the team sheet today this isn't necessarily a bad thing).

With Daniel Atkinson signed for next year, and the seemingly unbreakable coach/son bond, what does this mean? What's the plan here?

I've been a big supporter of Shane Flanagan, and vocally so on these forums. I do agree with Webby in the sense that he probably is the man for the job, but he clearly has a massive blind spot when it comes to his son.

But I'm starting to get that sense of de ja vu & fear it's all over - our clubs relationship with the Flanagan's could be quickly coming to an end.

Only the Titans continuing to be crap will save us from the wooden spoon this season, based on today's team sheet.

Promote Willie Talau to head coach - he's come through the ranks as a coach along with some of our most promising juniors and is rumoured to have a lot of respect from those on the inside.

Get him a decent assistant. I think Brad Arthur is the man for this job. BA may end up on the radar of other clubs (could take over Souths after Bennett or the PNG job) but to have him there for one or two seasons until Talau finds his feet in the top grade, why not. It can't be any worse, or could it?

Like how can we, with as big of a nursery as we have, not uncover a decent organising #7 ? Kade Reed is probably the most promising we've had in a long time. Unless there is a circuit breaker in terms of how we nurture these guys into the top grade, I fear we may lose him before his time as well. This also comes back to my earlier point - are we going to stifle this in favour of preferencing the coaches son?

Seriously, sick of being perennial effing losers. The same rot as the past three coaching cycles has started to set in.

 

[TheRev]

2025 & 2026 are 2 very different puzzles.. In 2026 I doubt Kyle, Ilias or Glover will be playing halfback for either grade, it will be Atkinson + LKT, or Atkinson + Someone we havent thought of (or recruited) yet... and back in reserve grade it will be Reed + whoever... if not in Round 1.. soon after.

But 2025... honestly Ilias is just as slow and clunky as Kyle, they are 2 peas in a pod... he will get a shot due to the pressure (it might even be this week), but hes not our longterm solution.. its a genuine shuffling-deck-chair situation.

I would promote Glover if we didnt have Reed ready to take his dev spot next year... but his defence isnt as strong as Kyle/Ilias, small boot, and hes a complete rookie... I do love watching him though, a real terrier... but by the time hes up to speed, hes probably out the door.. and Flanno needs to tread water and scrape wins any way he can in 2025, or we (and he) are in some strife.