Dragon Kyle Flanagan anticipates pressure to play for his father.

Rejoining his father Shane at St George Illawarra, Kyle Flanagan is well aware that he won’t receive any special treatment as he endeavors to revitalize his career. The Flanagan family, who recently moved to Wollongong, has seen Shane assume the head coaching role, while Kyle secured a two-year deal with the Dragons.

Speaking on Wednesday, Kyle acknowledged the need to wait for actual games to commence before experiencing the first coaching critique, emphasizing the positive working relationship they share. This marks Kyle’s fourth club in six seasons, navigating a challenging journey since departing Cronulla in 2019 and moving to the Sydney Roosters and Canterbury. While facing scrutiny at times due to his renowned surname, the 25-year-old is determined to demonstrate that his place in the team will be earned under his father’s guidance.

When questioned about playing under his dad’s scrutiny at the Dragons, Kyle expressed more concern about justifying his spot in the side, regardless of the coach. He emphasized the lessons learned throughout his career, understanding the inevitability of facing challenges during the season. Kyle is focused on showcasing his strengths and competing every time he steps on the field, noting a growing understanding of his capabilities as he has matured.

The Flanagans join the NRL as its third current father-son duo, following the Walters’ at Brisbane and the Clearys at Penrith. Kyle’s quest for a starting spot received a boost in the off-season when Junior Amone’s contract was terminated due to his involvement in a rooftop hammer attack. Kyle is likely to partner with captain Ben Hunt in the halves in the opening round, with both named to start in the Charity Shield clash against South Sydney at Kogarah Oval on Saturday.

Hunt praised Kyle’s experience and ability to control the game, describing him as more of a halfback and appreciating his assertiveness in guiding the team. Shane Flanagan hopes that the pairing of Kyle with Hunt will bring out the best in both players, with Hunt often shouldering the burden for the Dragons, and Kyle facing challenges as the lead playmaker at Canterbury.

Reflecting on his mentality from a couple of years ago, where he focused on proving people wrong, Kyle expressed that his current mindset revolves around playing a role for the team and building his game through hard work, without being overly concerned about external perceptions.