Kyle Flanagan’s entire stint at St George Illawarra, whether fairly or otherwise, has been overshadowed by the presence of his father.
Which perhaps explains why, when speaking for the first time since dad and coach Shane was moved on, Flanagan jnr was reluctant to broach the subject.
“Look, I think it’s definitely been a challenge,” Flanagan said.
“The old man’s sort of come out the last couple of weeks and said his part in it. For me, I’ll probably touch on it a bit further down the track. For now, I’m just focused on doing my absolute best for the team. I love competing with my teammates and helping this team and this club win and that’s what my focus is.”
Flanagan arrived at the Dragons in 2024, at the same time his father became head coach. Since then, the playmaker has been, somewhat controversially, a staple in the team. It was only after Shane left, and Dean Young took over on an interim basis, that the 27-year-old was dropped in favour of rookie Kade Reed.
But with Reed sidelined by injury, Flanagan has forced his way back into the halves, alongside Daniel Atkinson. Both halves will on Sunday face their former club Cronulla in the southern derby.
The constant scrutiny about his position has undoubtedly taken its toll. So how has Kyle got through it all?
“It’s probably a hard question to put a finger on it, but possibly my upbringing,” he said.
“You go through tough times. I guess every footballer has different scenarios that they go through when they’re younger; different challenges have been thrown my way.
“I just like to keep turning up and facing challenges head on … getting better, and as I said before, being a better man for my family and doing my absolute best I can for my own name.”
The great irony for Flanagan is that his reason for enduring such a difficult tenure, and his reason for persevering, are one and the same – family.
“Possibly,” Flanagan said when asked whether his love of the game had wavered during the tough times. “But I think it always comes back to why you started and the goals you have within the game.
“What’s your why? What’s your reason why you want to get out of bed every morning and come down here to Wollongong?
“That all motivates me to keep playing, keep training hard and keep getting better as a person.”
Pressed on his why, Flanagan replied: “I think we touched on it before, it’s my family.
“I think that’s obviously a why for a lot of footy players. You go there to do the best for your family and represent yourself the best you can.”
Atkinson’s form has also been dissected since arriving from the Sharks. The five-eighth conceded his season had been short of expectations, but was determined to make the move work.
Atkinson also marvelled at how Flanagan had managed to navigate such a trying period.
“I can’t speak highly enough of how he’s handled it,” Atkinson said. “He’s handled it like a true man, and he’s put the club first.”
The Dragons snapped a 15-game, 295-day losing streak stretching back to last season when they beat defending premiers Brisbane last weekend.
Flanagan said becoming a father had put his footballing struggles into perspective.
“I guess there’s been a few challenges thrown at the club and different individuals, but you come to work to better yourself every day to get better and just to do your job for the team,” he said.
“That’s the way I approach it every day, to come here, be a better man and go home to my family. That’s life for me.”
