Former Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has come out in defence of the Bulldogs as criticism swirls around son Kyle's return to the first grade side.
Kyle Flanagan, who has played the last month in the reserve grade, will return to the side for this weekend's clash against Penrith, with some labelling the decision from the Bulldogs equivalent to throwing the 23-year-old to the wolves.
Flanagan hasn't featured in the first grade side since August, but father Shane has denied that the young halfback isn't ready to perform against the reigning premiers.
โItโs been a tough week; we donโt want this and Kyle definitely doesnโt need it,โ Shane said on 2GB.
โHe just wants to get out and play first grade. At some point during the year, hopefully he goes out and plays against every footy team. I can understand some peopleโs perception about him being thrown in against Penrith, but if itโs time for him to play, itโs time for him to play.
โThereโs a few things Iโd like to say: Gus came out and said that heโs been dealing with Kyle, and that is 100 per cent correct.
โI met with Gus last year and he said, โWe need to reset him, we need to get him started again, he had a tough year last year and was playing in a side getting a lot of points put on themโ.
โHeโs changed his game, heโs changed the way he is playing, so he needed to go back to NSW Cup and enjoy himself.
โGus said heโd work really hard, work on a few things and once he got them right heโd be back in first grade. To his credit, he stuck to his word and has been working with Kyle.
โTrent said exactly the same thing, that heโd go back for a month or so โ he left it a bit open โ and be back in first grade. To his word, he is back in first grade.
โThe club behind the scenes have supported him, they havenโt thrown him to the wolves. Thereโs been a bit of a plan and heโs a first-grader. Heโs back playing tomorrow and Iโm sure he will do well.
โWhether the Bulldogs win or not, Iโm not sure. But he will be out there doing his best. He has played 30 or 40 first-grade games and hopefully he plays another 150 to 200.
Flanagan has made 42 appearances since his debut in 2018, 13 of those at the Bulldogs. The 23-year-old failed to lock down a spot at the Sharks and Roosters in the early stages of his career, but has now been given the opportunity to find a place in the Bulldogs side.
โTo answer your question about โhas he been told if heโs back for three, five, 10 [weeks] or the rest of the seasonโ, no he hasnโt." Flanagan added.
โHeโs got to go out and play good footy week after week.
โObviously heโs going to get a couple of weeks to get the combination right and they wonโt keep changing their halves, but no one is guaranteed a week-to-week position, especially in that Bulldogs side.โ
