Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan set to start his son Kyle’s NRL career

ON Sunday afternoon, Kyle Flanagan will set for a history-making start to his NRL career by becoming the first player to be coached by his father in 14 years.

A couple of Flanagans. (Darren Leigh Roberts)

STUCK to the back of Kyle Flanagan’s bedroom door is a white piece of paper. A 2018 to-do list, you could call it.

At the end of each of the handwritten goals-to-achieve, is a tick.

Chosen in Brad Fittler’s NSW Emerging Blues squad, tick.

NSW state Residents team selection, tick.

NSW under-20s halfback, tick.

NRL debut …

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A couple of Flanagans. (Darren Leigh Roberts)

On Sunday afternoon, the teenager who still lives at home with his mum and dad can add another important tick.

Flanagan is set for a history-making start to his NRL career by becoming the first player to be coached by his father in 14 years.

“I can’t wait to get out there,’’ Flanagan told The Sunday Telegraph in his only interview.

The 19-year-old son of Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan, Kyle, will make his first-grade debut against Newcastle at Shark Park.

Kyle has been waiting a long time for this moment. (Gregg Porteous)

This year’s NSW under-20s halfback and victorious NSW Residents captain has been gifted his call-up into the halves alongside Chad Townsend.

Regular Sharks five-eighth Matt Moylan has withdrawn as a precaution ahead of the finals because of a minor leg problem.

The teenager’s dreamy day will coincide with the Flanagan duo becoming the first coach-player combination since former Cronulla and Penrith mentor John Lang coached his son Martin, in 2004.

John and Martin Lang in 2004. (Kristi Miller)

“I’m proud of him as a dad and as a coach,’’ Shane said.

“He needed to work towards a standard this season that the coaching staff were confident in that he was ready for NRL and we feel he deserves his opportunity.’’

A self-confessed rugby league tragic who watches all eight NRL games every weekend, Flanagan’s journey to the NRL big time began as a ball-boy alongside fellow son-of-a-gun Nathan Cleary.

Together at the Sydney Roosters, the nine-year-olds ran the sideline, while their fathers, Shane and Ivan, worked at the club as assistant coaches.

Flanagan and Cleary remain mates, having also played together in the halves in the 2015 NSW Combined Catholic College team.

A member of the Sharks elite junior academy since the age of 14, Flanagan was also a ball boy at Cronulla — for none other than his captain, Paul Gallen.

“In my first pre-season two years ago, it took a while for me to get used to telling the senior guys what to do — but now I know it’s all part of the job of being a halfback,’’ Flanagan said.

Kyle could have chosen almost any sport.

However, it wasn’t always footy for Flanagan — who captained his beloved local junior club, the Aquinas Colts, to 10 straight premierships from the under-eights to under-17s.

A representative soccer player and state-level swimmer, Flanagan said his junior days kicking the round-ball furnished his radar boot, which saw him break the under-20s National Youth Competition pointscoring record after racking up 360 points in 26 games last year.

“I’d play one half of soccer, get changed into my footy gear in the car and then play the second half of footy,’’ Flanagan said.

“I just always loved footy, but soccer absolutely helped my kicking game and how I strike the ball today.’’

Turning 20 next month, Kyle has impressed amid his greatest physical examination playing in his first season in open-age footy with the Newtown Jets in the Intrust Super Premiership.

Despite missing the first month of the season with a broken thumb, he sits third on the list for points scored this season.

Quietly spoken and polite, Flanagan considers his two older sisters his biggest fans, but says his father’s influence on his career is undeniable.

Kyle wants to make his own mark on the NRL. (Darren Leigh Roberts)

“I understand the debate about a dad coaching his son, but we’re very similar, Dad and I. We haven’t had any arguments,’’ Flanagan said.

“I definitely have a desire to play well for him, as well as I want to play well for myself.

“Dad’s been an NRL coach since I was 10, so you could imagine how much footy I’ve watched through the eyes of a coach at home.

“I tend to watch the game as though I’m a coach and what he maybe thinking.

“I like to play a simple game of playing tough, make my tackles, organise the team, kick well and support in attack.

“I’m not flashy, I’m no Kalyn Ponga, but I do my job for the team and do it well.

“I’m excited that I get my chance — and now I’ve been given a sniff, it will only drive me harder into next year.’’

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Originally published as Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan set to start his son Kyle’s NRL career