‘It makes the good times that much sweeter’: How Flanagan found his groove again

Kyle Flanagan has revealed how he bounced back from a brutal couple of years on the field to become one of Canterbury’s most important players.

A more confident Kyle Flanagan is loving life on and off the field. Picture: Richard Dobson

Bulldogs halfback Kyle Flanagan hasn’t had the smoothest ride on the rugby league rollercoaster, but a change in scenery and a new attacking philosophy appear to have worked wonders for the youngster.

After stints with the Sharks and Roosters, Flanagan was seen as the type of player who could help the Bulldogs out of their funk, but for two seasons he was made the scapegoat for their attacking woes.

Kyle Flanagan had one of his better games for the Bulldogs last week and should continue to improve under new coach Cameron Ciraldo. Picture: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

The 24-year-old recorded just eight try assists from 20 matches last season and was criticised for not getting involved enough, but the early signs in 2023 are that he’s relishing the new game plan under Cameron Ciraldo, who spent years working with superstar Nathan Cleary.

Flanagan was the perfect foil for Matt Burton last week, setting up a try and running the ball seven times as Canterbury’s right edge destroyed the Storm out wide.

The halfback played with confidence and spoke with that same energy on Tuesday, keen to avoid looking back at the tough times he’s endured lately and focus more on the good times ahead.

Flanagan had a tough media conference last year when he spoke about the support his dad had given him after he was benched.

“Let’s not go there,” he replied when asked about how hard things got.

“When you go through the rugby league rollercoaster, you have those times, but it makes the good times that much sweeter. That’s how I look at it.

“I just feel like I’m in a good place mentally. I’m really enjoying my football and it’s starting to show on the football field.

“I don’t want to get ahead of myself too early, but I’m really enjoying myself and I’m in a good space off the field as well. I’m enjoying coming into training, working under Cam and the combinations.”

That newfound confidence has been helped by a willingness to move the ball with more freedom – something that was missing in round one but clicked into gear against the Storm.

It’s something we should expect to see more often down the track, with Flanagan keen to continue his development on and off the field, which has been fast-tracked by his decision to move out of the family home.

Canterbury’s right edge was on fire against the Storm in just their second game together. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images

“Maybe moving out to my own place may have helped out. I’m becoming my own man,” he said.

“It’s the next stage of my life and becoming a man. I’m living in my own home with my partner and I’m really enjoying that.

“I definitely feel really confident in my own game. I’ve always had the mentality that I want to improve each week and get better every game. I’ll continue to do that.”