Sharks legend Paul Gallen wants club to bring Kyle Flanagan back to cover injury-enforced loss of Shaun Johnson

‘It’s an opportunity to make a decision about going to a system he knows he can succeed.’ Paul Gallen believes a Sharks local junior would be an ideal solution for the currently vacated halfback position.

It’s been a tough season for the Roosters halfback.

Paul Gallen says Cronulla “would be crazy” not to make a play to bring local junior Kyle Flanagan home.

The Sharks legend also questioned why the Roosters were so quick to show the NSW under-20’s captain the door.

Canterbury are in the box-seat to sign Flanagan, but Gallen believes the playmaker would be an ideal solution to covering the loss of Sharks starting half Shaun Johnson, who will miss at least the opening 10 weeks of next season with a major Achilles injury.

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Could Kyle Flanagan be the answer to Cronulla’s halfback conundrum?

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Alternate five-eighth option Matt Moylan is also dealing with chronic hamstring issues.

Previous reports have linked Benji Marshall to the Sharks, as a possible replacement for Johnson.

But Gallen said Flanagan - who left the Sharks after progressing through the juniors to join the Roosters in 2020 - was an “investment in the future” and someone who would thrive back among his former Cronulla teammates.

“Cronulla have the right people to make their own recruitment decisions, but I love the club and if there was a chance to bring a 21-year-old who has shown he can handle the NRL, but also has plenty of upside in his development, then they’d be crazy not to consider it,’’ Gallen said.

“The one thing I know about Kyle is, he‘s willing to work harder than the person next to him to become a better player.

“His goalkicking is an example of that - he kicked some huge goals this year under pressure.

It’s been a tough season for the Roosters halfback.

“With Shaun out for a major chunk next year and Moyza (Moylan) needing a big pre-season, at the right price, Kyle could prove invaluable.

“I’m sure Kyle would know he’s nowhere near the finished product.

“So I think any criticism of his role in helping the Roosters to the finals in his first year at the club is harsh and in my opinion the Roosters must have let him go due to salary cap pressure and because they want to promote young (Sam) Walker.

“We read (in media reports) now that they weren’t expecting the Morris boys (Josh and Brett) to play so well and re-sign and Jake Friend also, so in my opinion it would be good for Roosters fans to know that part of the reason why Kyle and as we now see with Poasa Faamausili going to the Dragons, is because of cap pressure.

“These things happen, that’s footy. But for Kyle, it’s an opportunity to make a decision about going to a system he knows he can succeed.

“He grew up playing with Blayke Brailey in the local juniors and then through the Sharks system he played with Briton Nikora, Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa and probably a few more of the current players.

Shaun Johnson is set to miss the first 10 rounds of next season.

“He captained the SG Ball team (2015) under Bomber (Sharks coach John Morris), so he also knows Kyle‘s game well, having coached him.

“Obviously the big thing is dollars and cents and I have no clue if the Sharks have the salary cap room to bring Kyle in, but would you look at it? Absolutely.”

Canterbury are eager to secure Flanagan after being told he won’t be retained beyond his current contract of 2022.

“He’s proud of what he was able to achieve at the Roosters,’’ Flanagan’s father Shane told 2GB on Friday.

“He’s a talented kid - he’ll get another job.’’

Incoming Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett is a massive fan of Flanagan and has told Canterbury management he believes the playmaker is one to two years behind Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary in both on-field and physical development.

Trent Barrett has earmarked Kyle Flanagan as a potential Bulldogs recruit.

Barrett has first-hand knowledge of Cleary’s game having worked as a close mentor over the past 12-months in his role as the Panthers attack coach.

Canterbury are hoping to secure Penrith five-eighth Matt Burton once he comes off-contract at the end of 2022 to partner Flanagan.

However, the talented Penrith utility’s name was also being circulated to rival clubs, as late as Friday.