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Recruits shine for Red V over Roosters | 02:30
Greg Alexander has heaped praise on Dragons five-eighth Kyle Flanagan admitting he didn’t know the playmaker had the performance against the Roosters in him.
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Flanagan had 37 run metres, two tackle busts, two offloads, a linebreak, a linebreak assist, two try assists and a try to go with 11 tackles, as he inspired the Dragons to a convincing 26-8 victory.
The 26-year-old and halves partner Lachlan Ilias have a huge job to replace former skipper Ben Hunt, but the early signs were promising against the Roosters.
Speaking on SEN radio, Alexander was surprised how dominant Flanagan was and admitted he couldn’t see Flanagan starting at another NRL club prior to Sunday’s trial.
“I didn’t think Kyle could play (like that),” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
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“I was impressed with him last year but I don’t know if he would be playing first grade if he was at any other club.
“There’s a lot of pressure on the Dragons’ halves this year with new recruit Lachlan Ilias and Kyle Flanagan.
“I thought Kyle Flanagan was a limited player but last year, he defended well and caught the defence napping every now and then.
“On Sunday against the Roosters, he scored a try and had two try assists in the first half hour of play. He also set up those two tries with a pass and a kick.”
Shane Flanagan was confident that when he signed his son to the Dragons that he could get the best out of him.
With Hunt no longer the dominant half, Alexander believes 2025 could be a breakout year for Flanagan, who has 17 tries and 150 goals in 99 NRL games for the Sharks, Roosters, Bulldogs and Dragons since his debut in 2018.
“Whatever Shane and the influence he has over his son, he is getting the absolute best out of his son,” Alexander said.
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“It was evident on Sunday night and I think he’s going to have a good year. Shane has got him playing his best football.
“Kyle couldn’t have done anymore on Sunday night.
“They jumped to an 18-nil lead very early in that game and I was impressed with the Dragons (and) it was the halves. The defence of both Ilias and Flanagan was outstanding.”
The Dragons’ final trial match is against the Rabbitohs in Mudgee for the Charity Shield Cup on Saturday afternoon, before they take on the Bulldogs in Round 1.
