Shane Flanagan for me
Experienced, premiership winner, hard edged coach who won't be afraid to rattle the cage and tell certain players some home truths...exactly what we need. Unlike some others, I think his commentary is pretty insightful and I think he could really "coach" our team to become better players
In regards to Kyle, there are a couple of ways of looking at it
I am like everyone else who would love an experienced match winning halfback but lets be honest, there are none available (off contract) for next year
At this stage we are stuck with Kyle next year anyway and if we were to offload him we would have to tip in plenty of $$ which wouldn't make it worth it
Most of us think that if we get Flanno snr that Kyle will be a lock in at number 7 for years to come
Now if he is playing crap and totally unworthy of a spot in the side do you really think that Flanno snr firstly as a coach and secondly as a father would want his son to be copping the unrelentless criticism (which will be inevitable)....I don't
I see it as the making or breaking of Kyle under his dads coaching. Maybe his dad can't bring the best out of him, maybe he can start on the upward trajectory of becoming the player everyone thought he can become...maybe?
If not, I would have faith that Flanno snr and Gus would always put the team first. I think maybe we are reading too much into the "we will be stuck with Kyle forever" narrative
If we sign an all out attacking fullback like Reece Walsh or Scott Drinkwater for 2024, then maybe Kyle can play the required role in our spine (whatever that might be), if he improves
If not, the only option of getting a marquee halfback (who is available) would be paying close to a million for Mitch Moses
Bottom line we need an experienced, proven winning coach and Flanno is it and I don't think we should let the Kyle factor interfere in our selection if Gus thinks he is the right man for the job