Kyle not our only concern: Barrett
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 was “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 22year-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 added that “Kyle’s not the only one” at risk, 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 said.
“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 he needs some more help. He’s essentially trying to run the side oneout. 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 more than 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,” journalist Phil Rothfield said on The Big Sports Breakfast on Monday.
Rothfield believes Flanagan’s confidence is “totally shattered at the moment”.