Bulldogs: Terry Lamb backs Kyle Flanagan to shine as Trent Barrett starts pre-season

Terry Lamb has backed Kyle Flanagan to lead Canterbury’s resurgence but who will partner the new Bulldog in the halves?

New Canterbury halfback Kyle Flanagan at Belmore. Credit: Bulldogs Digital

An early contender has emerged as Kyle Flanagan’s next halves partner, as Terry Lamb, one of the Bulldogs’ greatest ever playmakers, backs the No. 7 to lead Canterbury’s resurgence.

Flanagan has been training one day a week with his new side after joining the Bulldogs on a three-year deal from the Sydney Roosters.

With Flanagan to start at halfback in round one, the pre-season is a chance for the club’s slew of young playmakers to leave their mark on coach Trent Barrett.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

New Canterbury halfback Kyle Flanagan is put through his paces at Belmore. Picture: Bulldogs Digital

Lachlan Lewis, Brandon Wakeham and Jake Averillo are all vying for a place alongside Flanagan in the halves in 2021.

It’s believed Barrett, at this stage, is leaning towards giving Wakeham a crack in the No. 6 jumper.

After one full season of NRL at Bondi, coach Trent Robinson told Flanagan he was not part of the club’s future plans.

But Lamb, who played in five grand finals and won three titles during his 262 games for Canterbury, said Flanagan, 22, had the acumen needed to guide the Bulldogs in season 2021.

“There is a lot of pressure on you being a half or a five-eighth, especially a young one, it takes a while to get used to being the dominant player in the team,” Lamb said.

“I watched him play at the Roosters and I think he had a very good mentor there in Cooper Cronk as well.

Canterbury halfback Kyle Flanagan's locker at Belmore.

“I like the way he takes the line on. He’s very positive in what he does, having Cronk there would have been great for his development.”

Lamb, whose name is on Flanagan’s new locker at Belmore, is ready to build a relationship with the young playmaker after new coach Trent Barrett made a point of teaching his side about the club’s proud history.

“I would do it for sure, Kyle is an important part of our club now.

“When I was playing I took a lot of advice from the people I had around me, like George Peponis. I think it’s important to know about the club you’re playing for and I’ll give him some advice when I need too,” Lamb said.

New Canterbury signing Nick Cotric was at Belmore on Monday to meet his new teammates. Picture: Bulldogs Digital

Flanagan won’t return for full-time training for another two weeks, while fellow new recruit Nick Cotric isn’t due back until January after leaving the NSW Blues bubble after game three on November 18.

The former Canberra flyer did however report to Belmore on Monday afternoon to meet his teammates.

Cotric joined the Bulldogs on a lucrative three-year deal until the end of season 2023 and after making a name for himself as one of the competition best wingers is set to start his career as a Bulldog in the centres.

Hard man Jack Hetherington, who Barrett coached at Penrith during his time as an assistant to Ivan Cleary, has started full-time training.

He and fellow new forward Corey Waddell reported for day one of pre-season last week.