Kade Reed ruled out, Kyle Flanagan set to return
Updated ,first published
Winless St George Illawarra have been dealt another blow with rookie halfback Kade Reed suffering a hand injury that could sideline him for up to three months.
Reed did not train in Wollongong on Tuesday after rupturing a tendon in one of his fingers against Newcastle on Saturday and will not be included in Dean Young’s squad to face Penrith to close out the NRL’s Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
In his absence, Kyle Flanagan will be recalled to the Dragons halves alongside partner Daniel Atkinson, who is out with a hand injury. Atkinson missed Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle but trained on Tuesday.
Flanagan, who was selected from the bench in the last two matches, has not played since his father, Shane Flanagan, stepped down as head coach last month.
“The way he handled himself was great,” Dragons co-captain Damien Cook said of Flanagan on Tuesday. “Obviously it would have been difficult to achieve with his father being the coach. The way he carried himself at the club was really good.”
“He was probably on the bench to come in if I needed him. [come off or] change position. He was really good at jumping in where he was needed in training.
“I can’t fault that. A lot of people in the game don’t have to go through that situation that their dad went through, and then you go a few weeks not starting.
“I feel sorry for him but [I’m] “I was absolutely impressed with how he handled this situation.”
Reed, 20, made his NRL debut less than three weeks ago on Anzac Day, which was a baptism of fire.
The Dragons were beaten 62-16 by the Sydney Roosters before being beaten 44-10 by Newcastle last Saturday.
“It was a tough start for him [Reed]Cook said: “It’s great to make your debut in a huge play on Anzac Day. “It wasn’t the way we wanted it to go.
“He kept it in his own name [the injury] Alright. I had no idea. Frankly they don’t know how long it will last [out of the game] …I hope it is a short period.”
Cook said Reed should not be discouraged from abandoning his position.
“He had that spot and was really trying to get a few games under his belt,” he said. “But I know the kind of kid he is, I know how hard he works. I wouldn’t worry… I’d make sure you do everything right, do it right, heal well and come back better.”
Dragons center Valentine Holmes completed a full training session on Tuesday despite leaving the game against the Knights with a shoulder injury, according to reports that Queensland coach Billy Slater will be involved.
He made an indifferent start to the season in a struggling team and admitted his form was not good.
However, the 30-year-old is a proven player at State of Origin level and could still be a part of Slater’s squad for the first game of the series, which he will announce on Monday.
Cook said Holmes could replace him against the Panthers in Brisbane.
“That’s the way he plays; he tries to hit hard and punch above his weight,” he said.
“Some of the goals he took on… I know he took on [Manly forward] Haumol [Olakau’atu] A few weeks ago I was trying to cross the line. He’s so tough.
“There he was defending [at training] Today. The backs had a really solid session. He survived this situation. He looked good out there today.”
Chris Barrett is senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Southeast Asia correspondent for the Herald and The Age newspapers.Connect with: X or email.
