Kyle Flanagan (Behind the Scene - Approx Round 13)

[DP1990]

Word is that around “Round 13” this season, leading up to the match against the Dragons when Kyle Flanagan was dropped, Kyle had been talking to team mates and staff either in a sarcastic or legitimate way (unknown) saying that “My future goal is to play for and under my Dad (Shane Flanagan)” implying that when Shane’s suspension is lifted and he acquires a head-coaching role somewhere in the NRL, Kyle will follow him and join him.


So, Kyle’s playing future at the Roosters from Kyle’s own perspective was going to be possibly a short stint.


All that talk that Robbo wanted more from Kyle, improve on his game, Lachlan Lam was knocking on the door for a shot etc were just blanket excuses just to cover up the shock (slap in the face) that the Roosters as a club felt but didn’t want to reveal to the media etc as the main reason. Hence why the club has decided that they will NOT retain him beyond his current contract, have said to him he is free to be released for next season to join another club and basically the Roosters as a club will not invest any further time, effort and potential development on Kyle Flanagan. The club has said "you're either with us or against us".


This is only what I’ve been told by a friend who was told by someone from within the inside. Could be true or bullshit !

[IRoosterManI]

Honestly it doesn’t really matter the reason, the club and Robbo know what they are doing and if they don’t think he is a fit for the future then I back it 100% no questions asked.. 3 Premierships since 2010 isn’t a fluke

[NorthChook]

I heard from some mates that have met him a couple of times that say he is quite cocky and stubborn (like Hastings was). That was before he joined us.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

I thought it was common knowledge that Flanno would follow his dad if he got another head coaching gig. Isn't that why we signed him for 2 years? Same time as his old mans suspension.

[Sizzle]

Everyone knew prior to Flano signing that Sam Walker was going to be our future halfback and that Flano was only here for a stint until his Dad got a head coaching role... it ain't rocket science.

Anyways if this is true I'm not sure where he gets his ego from, he is very average. Also this took me by suprise aswell, Flano from the outside seems like a really nice dude... after the games he was one of the only players to come over to the chookpen side and thank the fans, which made me gain lots of respect for him.

[GC6]

I don’t know if anyone else listened to kyles interview on the Jamie Soward podcast.
From what I gathered after listening to it, it made me extremely worried for the backend of the season and finals. Kyle kind of made out that he was ready to take control of the team and his reaction times were catching the likes of keary etc. he made out that his skill level is the same it was just reaction time’s or something to those words.
after that interview I wasn’t to fond of the boy to be honest.

[Johnny Tobin]

I find that hard to believe. Like Cleary, everyone knew he would hook up with his dad eventually.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

I don’t know if anyone else listened to kyles interview on the Jamie Soward podcast.
From what I gathered after listening to it, it made me extremely worried for the backend of the season and finals. Kyle kind of made out that he was ready to take control of the team and his reaction times were catching the likes of keary etc. he made out that his skill level is the same it was just reaction time’s or something to those words.
after that interview I wasn’t to fond of the boy to be honest.

So what did you want him to say? Ofcourse he was trying to build his skill and reaction times. Ofcourse he was trying to show confidence. How about providing a link to the podcast.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

I heard from some mates that have met him a couple of times that say he is quite cocky and stubborn (like Hastings was). That was before he joined us.

wow, a cocky and stubborn halfback...... who would have guessed ? Maybe he was confident and determined instead of cocky and stubborn.

[BUDDY]

wow, a cocky and stubborn halfback...... who would have guessed ? Maybe he was confident and determined instead of cocky and stubborn.

He's gone mate.
It wasn't the chookpen that got rid of him.
If you want to take out your anger then have a meeting with Robbo and Uncle Nick.
They have been good with recruitment since Robbo got here and Flanno obviously didn't suit their requirements even if it was after just one year.
Only they know how he is going and what they think he will produce in future for the team and who we will have to replace him.
Ignore the white noise around you especially the media. They have NFI of the internals at the Roosters. Never have and never will. Just all speculation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVVTZgwYwVo

[ccfc bondi]

I love our club and the passion of our management, but they have made blunders in the past - Maloney, Lattrel (Yes, Lattrel was a complete and utter blunder! Who knows what might've happened in that semi-final this year against the Complainers if he had've been there!), and quite a few before that.

Having a future goal to want to be coached by your father is not enough reason to let him go (though I can tell you from experience, it's no picnic having your father involved in a team's coaching, and I don't recommend it!). If that is the reason (surely there is more to it than that!), the club needs to be more professional. He did little wrong as a new, young halfback coming into the champion team. His kicking game was good, his goal-kicking was superb (which is an absolute must if you want to win a premiership) and he was often there in support. Maybe he needs to work on his defence? Apart from that, can't see a lot of reason to let him go.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

He's gone mate.
It wasn't the chookpen that got rid of him.
If you want to take out your anger then have a meeting with Robbo and Uncle Nick.
They have been good with recruitment since Robbo got here and Flanno obviously didn't suit their requirements even if it was after just one year.
Only they know how he is going and what they think he will produce in future for the team and who we will have to replace him.
Ignore the white noise around you especially the media. They have NFI of the internals at the Roosters. Never have and never will. Just all speculation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVVTZgwYwVo

thanks Buddy, I am not angry at the club, as i said previously I thought it was common knowledge that Kyle was with us to fill a gap until Walker was ready. His family wanted him to take the opportunity to play under Trent at the Roosters because they thought it would be better for him long term than staying at the Sharks. It is really no big deal to me, but i will engage some of the comments on here which I feel put the kid down unjustly. I think he did very well in a high pressure situation, and he will be a better player for it. He contributed to us and we did the same for him. Win win. Move on. Happy days.

[NorthChook]

wow, a cocky and stubborn halfback...... who would have guessed ? Maybe he was confident and determined instead of cocky and stubborn.

There's a difference mate - I mean in that case Joey Leilua must be the most misunderstood chap in footy, this whole time when he talks crap he was just being determined and confident!

I think Robbo appreciates players with confidence and determination, but he expects respect and humility when it comes to players appraising their development - especially when it is earnt with hard work. So players shouldn't say crap (even in the dressing rooms around senior players/coaches) until they have established themselves (if that is true he did - just saying what I had heard), remember Rangi Chase?

[ism22]

Where did this 'new' rumour suddenly come from? It's been floating around all season.

IMO there's probably some truth in it from a cultural/corporate governance perspective (which we seem to get right). For example my workplace recently decided to hold me back from a pay raise this year because $$$ is tight. One of our big bosses then proactively talked me through the situation (in the guise of a chance for me to provide feedback on it), but the biiig nuance I got was that she wanted to know how this impacted my opinions about the year ahead. I responded positively, said I was enjoying all the opportunities I'd been given and would be looking to improve myself over the next year. This then led to me getting put forward for some plumb development opportunities (whereas another person who told them 'this is unfair... I will be looking elsewhere') has been put on the shelf (despite the fact I reckon they were favoured over me before this discussion).

Any employer's gonna want people who buy into the culture and have the maturity to work through setbacks without rubbishing the organisation's value/integrity in passing banter. I have NFI what Flanno's done but to me both parties have made it clear that it's time to part ways for the best interests of both parties.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I love our club and the passion of our management, but they have made blunders in the past - Maloney, Lattrel (Yes, Lattrel was a complete and utter blunder! Who knows what might've happened in that semi-final this year against the Complainers if he had've been there!), and quite a few before that.

Having a future goal to want to be coached by your father is not enough reason to let him go (though I can tell you from experience, it's no picnic having your father involved in a team's coaching, and I don't recommend it!). If that is the reason (surely there is more to it than that!), the club needs to be more professional. He did little wrong as a new, young halfback coming into the champion team. His kicking game was good, his goal-kicking was superb (which is an absolute must if you want to win a premiership) and he was often there in support. Maybe he needs to work on his defence? Apart from that, can't see a lot of reason to let him go.

I would suggest the blunder was moreso signing him in the first place.