Shane Flanagan breaks silence on son Kyle Flanagan’s demise at Roosters
Shane Flanagan has spoken out after son Kyle was told he is not wanted beyond next year by the Sydney Roosters, who are looking to the future after bombing out of the finals.
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Shane Flanagan has broken his silence on his son Kyle’s shock demise at the Sydney Roosters, conceding “he is gutted” but determined to fight to save his career.
Clearly upset at unfair criticism Kyle has copped, Flanagan opened up about how Kyle had no clue he was on the outer at the Roosters until he met coach Trent Robinson on Tuesday morning.
That post-season review came on the same day as the club’s presentation night, and just four days after the 21-year-old played 50 minutes with a serious grade three AC joint shoulder injury that required painkilling injections at halftime during the semi final loss to Canberra.
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Kyle still has a year to run on his contract at the Roosters but has been told he will not be re-signed beyond 2021.
It is highly unlikely he will be at the Roosters next season with Canterbury the front-runners to sign him.
“He had no idea of it,” Flanagan said.
“Yes, he was gutted.
“For me he had a really good season and he played well in that last game.
“He had to go and get painkillers at halftime with an AC joint. They told him he shouldn’t go back but he played the whole game.
“I had a couple of (grade three injuries) this year at the Dragons and they didn’t come back.
“It is a pretty nasty injury and he did well.
“He is a tough kid.
“I thought he busted his arse for his first year of NRL this year.
“If you play halfback at the Roosters you are going to get criticised sometimes.
“But I just thought it was a little bit unwarranted.”
The Bulldogs have already publicly revealed their interest while Flanagan said other clubs have also expressed interest.
Kyle is managed by his father who said they don’t want to rush into any decisions.
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“I am a bit hesitant to say too much and do too much because it is another story about him,” Flanagan said.
“He is upset.
“We are just going to take the weekend to have a big deep breath and think about what do we do next.
“He has got to accept (Robinson’s decision).
“Whether he stays and fights or moves, I am not quite sure.
“He has got options but he is a determined bugger.
“I don’t know what he will do.”
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Flanagan said his son had been inundated with messages of support from the likes of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Phil Gould, Paul Gallen and Michael Ennis among many more.
Flanagan was trying to stay positive but was noticeably upset for his son.
“It is Robbo’s decision and that’s the way he is going to go,” Flanagan said.
“We just have to live with it.”
Originally published as Shane Flanagan breaks silence on son Kyle Flanagan’s demise at Roosters