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There was once a time when Kyle Flanagan wouldn\u2019t have responded well to news that his club was chasing a marquee man to play in his position.<\/p>\n
The fact his father is behind the decision probably wouldn\u2019t have sat well with him either. Yet rather than feeling threatened by the prospect of further competition for a first-grade spot, Flanagan welcomes the prospect of not having to be the main man after arriving at St George Illawarra.<\/p>\n
In joining the Red V, Flanagan will reunite with his coach and father Shane at NRL level for the first time since 2018. Flanagan senior has insisted upon Ben Hunt remaining at the club, while also declaring an interest in signing Cowboys playmaker Tom Dearden.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was probably coming into first grade, when I was 19 or 20, I was probably thinking \u2018What\u2019s going on here, I don\u2019t want this,\u2019\u201d Flanagan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I\u2019m at a stage in my career where I want these players to come to our club and fighting for spots. You want to be part of good footy teams. I\u2019m open to anything like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
After making his debut under his father at Cronulla, the 25-year-old will rejoin him after troubled stints at the Roosters and Bulldogs. No longer is he burdened with the pressure of being the team\u2019s main man.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I definitely feel the weight off my shoulders,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s not about me here at the Dragons, I\u2019m just looking to play my role at the club. And wherever I fit in, I fit in \u2026<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
St George Illawarra Dragons player Kyle Flanagan.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Janie Barrett, SMH<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to explain, but it definitely feels so refreshing coming to the Dragons and I\u2019m just going to play my role. I\u2019m at a stage in my career now where I\u2019m not too fussed about where I turn up, how many games I play or whatever it is, I just want to be happy. Go home and be happy with my family and enjoy stuff like that. Maybe it\u2019s me getting a bit older in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n Flanagan admits he\u2019s not quite sure where he fits into the Dragons line-up. Hunt will wear the No.7 jersey, while there\u2019s a cloud over his halves partner given that playmaker Talatau Amone will be sentenced next month after being found guilty over a hammer attack on a roofing contractor.<\/p>\n Flanagan can play at halfback, five-eighth and even hooker after spending time at dummy-half during his final season at Canterbury. He is also an option as a bench utility.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m at a stage now in my career where I\u2019m not too fussed about what position I play. I want good players in my team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I\u2019m playing off the bench or I\u2019m not even playing, I\u2019m not too fussed. I just want to be part of a good organisation and a good footy team that\u2019s winning games. That\u2019s the most important thing, is being happy and winning football games.\u201d<\/p>\n While there has been ongoing speculation about Hunt\u2019s future, Flanagan wants him to stay put.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s crucial,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019s the captain, he\u2019s the halfback of the club. He is our best player, our representative player. I hope he sticks around for plenty of young guys here that could learn off him. Just having him running out on the field in front of you, leading the boys around, it\u2019s invaluable.\u201d<\/p>\n Flanagan said it was beneficial spending a chunk of his career away from his father, but is relishing being back with the premiership-winning mentor.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen he went through his suspension and I was at another club, I never thought that our paths would cross again,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary.<\/i><\/b> Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\nMost Viewed in Sport<\/h2>\n
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