Kyle starting hooker , Cook to the bench and LKT to 5/8
I think you're probably right on this. Whether fans like it or not, Flanno will have to keep Kyle in the mix, -simply because he's a very good back-up goalkicker....which every team just has to have. I wouldn't be surprised if his stats are better than Val's after that man's season ended early. I thought Kyle's goalkicking success kept us in a lot the games last year.
I'm sure Flanno meant it when he said Kyle was extended as a utility player. Whatsford re- stated that in early media interviews. He would have got that from Flanno, himself.
So Hunt walked out the door. And who was next man up to steer the ship? Illias was tried but seemed to lack the ability to steer the team around the park at critical times in matches.
So does Flanno chuck in a raw-boned kid and pray he'll last 26 rounds of high-colision contact with big, fast men, - or a proven, tough150-gamer who is also a pretty capable goalkicker? (He had past success with a tradesman-like Townsend.)
I'm sure Flanno bemoans Kyle's lack of a long kicking game. But its not like he's had an embarrassment of choices. That's why I agree with you that Kyle will stay around the starting 13 as cover for the spine. Both for his goal-kicking & physical durabilty.
That's makes me believe Kyle was only signed and extended as a 'utility'.....as the club has always stated.
May not be to the liking of some fans, but the Old Man doesn't change things without his own good reason. Going to be interesting how the strongly spoken Ennis will impose his influence this year.
Watsford has done well in enticing Ennis over to the Dragons. Flanno- the heart-on-sleeve, hard nut, -teamed with Ennis,- the master thought-manipulator/salesman.
I'm looking forward to it, myself.