Kyle Flanagan’s first interview since Shane Flanagan was moved on at the St George Illawarra Dragons
Kyle Flanagan’s entire tenure at St George Illawarra has been overshadowed, fairly or not, by his father’s presence.
Perhaps that explains why Flanagan Jr. was reluctant to broach the subject as he spoke for the first time since father and coach Shane’s departure.
“Look, I definitely think it’s a challenge,” Flanagan said.
“The old man has come out the last couple of weeks and said his part in that. For me, I’ll probably touch on that a little bit further down the line. For now, I’m just focused on doing my best for the team. I love competing with my teammates and helping this team and this club win, and that’s my focus.”
Flanagan came to the Dragons in 2024, at the same time his father became head coach. Since then, the point guard has arguably become a staple of the team. However, after Shane left and Dean Young took over on an interim basis, the 27-year-old was passed on in favor of rookie Kade Reed.
However, with Reed sidelined due to injury, Flanagan was forced to return at fly-half alongside Daniel Atkinson. In the southern derby, both sides will face their former club Cronulla on Sunday.
The constant scrutiny of his position undoubtedly took its toll. So how did Kyle get through all this?
“It’s probably a hard question to put my finger on, but it’s probably just my upbringing,” he said.
“You are going through difficult times. I think every football player has different scenarios in his youth, different difficulties came my way.
“I just like to show up and face challenges head on…I’m getting better and like I said before, I like to be a better man for my family and do the best I can for myself.”
The great irony for Flanagan is that the reason he endured such a difficult tenure is the same reason he persevered: family.
“Probably,” Flanagan said when asked if his love for the game had wavered in difficult times. “But I think it always comes back to why you started and the goals you have in the game.
“What’s your reason? What’s your reason for getting out of bed every morning and coming here to Wollongong?”
“All of this motivates me to keep playing, keep training hard and keep getting better personally.”
When asked why, Flanagan replied: “I think we touched on this before, this is my family.
“I think for a lot of football players, that’s definitely a reason. You go out there to do what’s best for your family and represent yourself to the best of your ability.”
Atkinson’s form has also been in tatters since arriving from the Sharks. The five-eighth admitted his season had been below expectations but was determined to make the move work.
Atkinson was also amazed at how Flanagan was able to get through such a difficult time.
“I can’t speak positively enough about how he handled it,” Atkinson said. “He handled this issue like a real man and put the club first.”
The Dragons ended a 15-game, 295-day losing streak dating back to last season when they beat Brisbane last weekend.
Flanagan said becoming a father puts his football struggles into perspective.
“I think there have been some challenges within the club and different individuals, but you come to work every day to better yourself, to be better and just do your job for the team,” he said.
“Coming here, being a better man and going home to my family, that’s how I approach every day. That’s life for me.”
