djdeep4172
Kennel Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2014
- Messages
- 3,685
- Reaction score
- 6,892
Kyle Flanagan was given another shot to cement his spot at the Bulldogs when he was recalled into the halves for their clash with the Titans on Monday.
It was his first game since Canterbury-Bankstown’s 66-nil thrashing at the hands of Manly in Round 16. Prior to that he hadn’t been sighted in first grade since Round 9.
The 22-year-old has had a tumultuous 12 months. At the end of last season he was given the tap on the shoulder by the Roosters and released one year into his two-year deal.
Flanagan said at the time he was “shocked and disappointed” after being brutally axed.
But it wasn’t long until the Bulldogs swooped in and locked him in on a three-year, $1 million plus deal as new coach Trent Barrett began his Belmore rebuild.
However, with Flanagan failing to take control of an inexperienced Bulldogs side, league legend Laurie Daley has questioned whether signing the young half on a three-year deal was the right move.
Daley pointed out that champion clubs — like the Roosters — don’t let quality players walk and perhaps there were red flags that the Bulldogs missed.
It’s probably been a mistake to sign him for three years,” Daley told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast.
“The Roosters and the Melbourne Storm, if they allow a player to walk you have to question why they are releasing them.
“Is there something wrong with his attitude? Do they not rate him?
“If they want to keep someone, and they tick all the boxes, they do not lose them.”
Flanagan’s Round 20 recall came at the expense of Lachlan Lewis. It’s understood the selection wasn’t based off form, but rather, an opportunity to start building for the future.
Lewis hasn’t been offered a new deal by the Bulldogs for next season, while it seems Barrett plans to persist with Flanagan.
He partnered young gun Jake Averillo on Monday night and with Matt Burton joining the club in 2022, the pair have the final five games to battle it out for the one halves spot up for grabs.
It was his first game since Canterbury-Bankstown’s 66-nil thrashing at the hands of Manly in Round 16. Prior to that he hadn’t been sighted in first grade since Round 9.
The 22-year-old has had a tumultuous 12 months. At the end of last season he was given the tap on the shoulder by the Roosters and released one year into his two-year deal.
Flanagan said at the time he was “shocked and disappointed” after being brutally axed.
But it wasn’t long until the Bulldogs swooped in and locked him in on a three-year, $1 million plus deal as new coach Trent Barrett began his Belmore rebuild.
However, with Flanagan failing to take control of an inexperienced Bulldogs side, league legend Laurie Daley has questioned whether signing the young half on a three-year deal was the right move.
Daley pointed out that champion clubs — like the Roosters — don’t let quality players walk and perhaps there were red flags that the Bulldogs missed.
It’s probably been a mistake to sign him for three years,” Daley told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast.
“The Roosters and the Melbourne Storm, if they allow a player to walk you have to question why they are releasing them.
“Is there something wrong with his attitude? Do they not rate him?
“If they want to keep someone, and they tick all the boxes, they do not lose them.”
Flanagan’s Round 20 recall came at the expense of Lachlan Lewis. It’s understood the selection wasn’t based off form, but rather, an opportunity to start building for the future.
Lewis hasn’t been offered a new deal by the Bulldogs for next season, while it seems Barrett plans to persist with Flanagan.
He partnered young gun Jake Averillo on Monday night and with Matt Burton joining the club in 2022, the pair have the final five games to battle it out for the one halves spot up for grabs.
