https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/ou...to-address-sharks-future-20181116-p50ghf.html
Valentine Holmes swaps Cuba for Cronulla this week as he meets Sharks officials and moves a step closer to deciding his future.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan knows the chance for Holmes to return to Townsville will make it tough for the club to keep him beyond 2019.
Cruise: Valentine Holmes enjoying his time in Cuba. Credit:Instagram
The last thing Flanagan wants is for the speculation on his star No.1's future to drag on and turn into a "soap opera".
Even if the Monty Porter Medal winner inks a lucrative deal with North Queensland, Flanagan knows Holmes will play a big role in trying to steer the Shire club to another title.
Advertisement
On a gloomy morning at Cronulla training this week, Flanagan also told Fairfax Media about why fans would see the best of Josh Dugan, how he would utilise son Kyle, taming Andrew Fifita, his own coaching future and Paul Gallen's request to make Wade Graham the new captain.
The only topic Flanagan did not want to touch on was the salary cap investigation being carried out by the NRL.
Where is Holmes' heart?
Holmes featured in the Kangaroos' two Tests against New Zealand and Tonga before he darted off for a well-deserved holiday in the US – where his partner ran the New York marathon – before some down time in Cuba.
The Cowboys are keen to lure him back to the tropics and using his good mate Michael Morgan as their trump card. The Cowboys showed their hand when they only signed Ben Barba for next season.
The Sharks have tabled a rich four-year deal, and Flanagan said ''the club have done everything we can do''.
"We'll meet with him next week and I fully understand if he wants to go home," Flanagan said. "We have to get on with it and support him. He's not the first player to go home if that's what he wants and to be closer to family.
"We love the kid, he's a fan favourite, he was in our grand final team and team of the half-century.
"In the end, we need to have a good year with him next year, and if he goes, we'll support him."
Flanagan said he had not given much thought to the possibility of Barba returning if Holmes bailed.
He confirmed there had been interest in South Sydney fullback Alex Johnston, who he described as a "quality player", but not for 2019.
Caribbean holiday: Valentine Holmes in Cuba with partner Natalia O'Toole. Credit:Instagram
"We could have the next fullback already within our club, so we won't be jumping at shadows,'' Flanagan said.
"We've got Will Kennedy who played NSW Cup and in our 20s side, and Luke Polselli played in the winning Jersey Flegg side. My young bloke Kyle can play there, as well as Braidon Trindall, while even Matt Moylan can go back to fullback. We'll keep our fingers crossed Val is still here.''
Sharks
Valentine's future: Holmes is where the heart is for gun No.1
Josh Dugan's first season at Cronulla did not go to plan with plenty of injuries and revelations he was battling mental health issues.
Dugan underwent shoulder surgery and will feature in the final trial against Newcastle before playing in round one – at right centre.
"Last year was disappointing for Duges by his standards,'' Flanagan said.
"Our well-being people are working hard with him and when he comes back he will be in rehab for a while. He will be fit for the season and knows right centre is his spot to try and nail.''
Flanagan also blamed himself for trying to settle on his long-term fullback in the early rounds, with Dugan tried at fullback, centre and even wing.
Taming Fifita
"We have to work hard with Andrew off-field, without a doubt,'' said Flanagan, as a smile comes across his face when talking about the prop.
"What he does on the field we all see, he was the Dally M prop of year, and in the middle of year when a lot of players were out he stood up for us and did a great job.
"There will be no more podcasts,'' said Flanagan, who has no intentions of moving on the Tongan wrecking ball.
Gal steps aside
As Paul Gallen approaches his 19th season he told Flanagan it was time to consider replacing him as captain with Graham.
But an ACL injury Graham suffered during the semi-final has thrown out those leadership plans.
"Wade won't be around the first 10 weeks, so my whole train of thought has changed a bit,'' Flanagan said.
"They had a dual role last season. Gal said to me, 'Maybe it's time Wade stands up and becomes the team captain'.
"He said he could do a lot more stuff off the field and any media requirements, and Wade [could] lead the team in games and training. Him being out now 10 weeks will put a halt to that.
"Shane Smith, our football operations manager, has been working with Wade on his leadership, it will be a smooth transition and it will probably unfold later in the year.''
Father-son
Kyle Flanagan had a taste of first grade late in the season, and his proud dad said his assistants had wanted him injected earlier during the campaign.
With Moylan out for most of the pre-season, Kyle will get the chance to build his halves combinations with Chad Townsend.
"It is tricky, I have a good relationship with Kyle, he has a good relationship with the players, but he knows he has to work hard to get his position,'' Flanagan said.
"A lot of the staff and assistants wanted me to play him a lot earlier than I did. Matt Moylan got injured and Kyle got his opportunity.
Coaching future
It is impossible to see Flanagan coaching anywhere else than Cronulla, such is his love for the area and the players.
But he remains without a long-term deal and says his manager will sit down with the club in the next month to commence negotiations.
Being away for a month on a Mediterranean holiday also meant little could be done.
"We only spoke about it this morning and how we've won every comp across the age groups since 2015. We've won the SG Ball, Harold Matthews, Jersey Flegg, the Tarsha Gale Cup, and we won in 2016. I'm really proud of the achievements. For a club that doesn't have an overflow of juniors, we're doing a good job.''
One junior to keep an eye on is Bronson Xerri, who could pop up on the wing come round one. Junior Kiwi Briton Nikora is also a back-rower who will push hard for an NRL start.
"On paper, our playing talent is as good if not better than last year," Flanagan said.
"We lost the likes of Luke Lewis, Jesse Ramien and Ricky Leutele, but we've had that transition of young kids coming through. Josh Morris will also add something for us.
"The key is a positive start. Since 2015 we've had poor starts, including 0-4 and 2-4. We are always consistent around Origin and finish strong, but we want to start well.''
