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The Bulldogs are at a “crossroads” with halfback Kyle Flanagan after he was hooked midgame in a 32-12 loss to the Dragons but his form is far from the only problem at Belmore.
Coach Trent Barrett admitted the club is “in a bit of hole” post-game, while revealing that the “execution of our set-ends” was behind Flanagan’s benching.
He was noncommittal on Flanagan’s spot in the team this week against Canberra, saying he would drop the 22-year old if “in the best interests of the team”.
With Lachlan Lewis (lung) failing to finish the game though, Brandon Wakeham appears the most likely option to replace Flanagan.
Barrett though added that “Kyle’s not the only one” and it was a point that was not lost on the Big League Wrap with Fox League’s experts arguing that Flanagan needs more support.
“It’s a tough card for Kyle Flanagan given what happened at the Roosters last year,” James Hooper told Big League Wrap.
“He was signed, he still had a couple of seasons to go there, Trent Robinson called him in and they had a very direct meeting... before he knew it he was signed on a three-year contract at Belmore.
“In fairness in he needs some more help. He’s essentially trying to run the side one-out, he’s still a very young playmaker. It’s a huge assignment to lump that responsibility on a very young playmaker.”
Flanagan is only 38 games into his NRL career and still learning his trade, playing behind a pack with only one forward averaging over 100 running metres.
Meanwhile, for all the potential Jake Averillo has shown with his limited touches, there may be a need for the young playmaker to also increase his involvement in the red zone.
Then there is the issue at hooker - with Sione Katoa and Jeremy Marshall-King both off-contract at the end of 2021 while Brad Deitz has four NRL games to his name off the bench.
“If I was Kyle Flanagan I wouldn’t like to be playing behind that Bulldogs pack at the moment,” the Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said on ‘The Big Sports Breakfast’ on Monday morning.
“I thought how would poor Sam Walker go if he was at Canterbury. I was wondering about the other halves, how would they go?
“It has been a really disappointing year because after what Trent Barrett did at Penrith last year, we all gave Baz very much credit for the attacking football Penrith played but he hasn’t been able to do it because he doesn’t have the squad to do it.”
Rothfield believes that Flanagan’s confidence is “totally shattered at the moment”.
While Flanagan may be in need of a stronger platform up front, Laurie Daley questions what direction Barrett
Will go in with his marquee recruit .
Coach Trent Barrett admitted the club is “in a bit of hole” post-game, while revealing that the “execution of our set-ends” was behind Flanagan’s benching.
He was noncommittal on Flanagan’s spot in the team this week against Canberra, saying he would drop the 22-year old if “in the best interests of the team”.
With Lachlan Lewis (lung) failing to finish the game though, Brandon Wakeham appears the most likely option to replace Flanagan.
Barrett though added that “Kyle’s not the only one” and it was a point that was not lost on the Big League Wrap with Fox League’s experts arguing that Flanagan needs more support.
“It’s a tough card for Kyle Flanagan given what happened at the Roosters last year,” James Hooper told Big League Wrap.
“He was signed, he still had a couple of seasons to go there, Trent Robinson called him in and they had a very direct meeting... before he knew it he was signed on a three-year contract at Belmore.
“In fairness in he needs some more help. He’s essentially trying to run the side one-out, he’s still a very young playmaker. It’s a huge assignment to lump that responsibility on a very young playmaker.”
Flanagan is only 38 games into his NRL career and still learning his trade, playing behind a pack with only one forward averaging over 100 running metres.
Meanwhile, for all the potential Jake Averillo has shown with his limited touches, there may be a need for the young playmaker to also increase his involvement in the red zone.
Then there is the issue at hooker - with Sione Katoa and Jeremy Marshall-King both off-contract at the end of 2021 while Brad Deitz has four NRL games to his name off the bench.
“If I was Kyle Flanagan I wouldn’t like to be playing behind that Bulldogs pack at the moment,” the Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said on ‘The Big Sports Breakfast’ on Monday morning.
“I thought how would poor Sam Walker go if he was at Canterbury. I was wondering about the other halves, how would they go?
“It has been a really disappointing year because after what Trent Barrett did at Penrith last year, we all gave Baz very much credit for the attacking football Penrith played but he hasn’t been able to do it because he doesn’t have the squad to do it.”
Rothfield believes that Flanagan’s confidence is “totally shattered at the moment”.
While Flanagan may be in need of a stronger platform up front, Laurie Daley questions what direction Barrett
Will go in with his marquee recruit .