Sharks coach Shane Flanagan reveals use of drone has taken training sessions to new level

CRONULLA have turned to hi-tech drone technology to fine-tune their game plan as they push for a grand final berth.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan.

WHAT would Ron Massey and Jack Gibson think of this?

Almost 40-years ago, SuperCoach Gibson and his right-hand man Massey returned from a US study trip with the idea of reviewing every Parramatta match on VHS tape.

The ability to stop, pause and rewind footage of players and teams changed the game of rugby league forever.

On Tuesday, Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan revealed the $4,500 hi-tech drone he has used for the entire season during his team’s second-last training session ahead of their preliminary final against North Queensland at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

It’s a long way from when Flanagan, thanks to the foresight of Massey and Gibson, began his coaching career with the Eels lower grades, holding a black-and-white handy-cam on the sideline.

The drone (top right) hovers over a Cronulla training session.

And while it might be only three years ago that Flanagan stood on scaffolding erected at the end of the Sharks training field, the use of a drone illustrates two things; there’s no ceiling on the evolution of coaching and it’s an insight into the detail which has aided Cronulla’s quest for an elusive premiership.

Such is the drone’s camera quality, it can pick-up the beads of sweat dripping down the player’s foreheads.

With big brother on their shoulder, lazy players can no longer hide.

Unlike a stationary camera planted high in a grandstand or on the sideline, or on top of a cherry-picker as former Sydney Roosters coach Brian Smith once tried, the drone can float left and right, below and above the training session.

Gaps in defensive lines are measured and with the flick of a switch, the drone can fly beside Ben Barba as he hits or misses the attacking line created by his half James Maloney.

Mark Leabres pilots the drone at Sharks training.

Piloted by Mark Leabres, the Sharks’ video and performance analyst, imagery of the entire training session from the drone is downloaded onto the laptops of each coaching staff member even before they leave the training paddock.

After every session, every player sits down to analyse the footage with Sharks assistant coaches James Shepherd and Steve Price.

Flanagan pointed out that the Sharks weren’t the only club to use the drone technology, however, he admitted it had become a major tool in the development of his side.

“It’s changed the way we train our players, in the sense that no stone is left unturned,’’ Flanagan said.

“I think it’s outstanding. The pictures are crystal clear and the footage gives us angles that we have never previously been able to achieve.

“I remember way back when I was coaching the Eels I would hold a camera on the sideline. But the picture quality wasn’t great and you could only film left to right.

“With the drone, we’ve got 360 degrees view of every player, their body language and traits during a session.’’

Asked what the next level of technology will be for coaches, Flanagan said: “No doubt the technology will become more and more advanced.

“But 10 years ago, had you told me a flying camera (drone) would be flying over the top of players during training, I wouldn’t have believed you.’’