![\"Adrian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4ab4a6c753559951c26e831e823d71d29090f818.png\")
Save<\/p>\nSave<\/p>\n
You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n
Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Kyle Flanagan\u2019s entire stint at St George Illawarra, whether fairly or otherwise, has been overshadowed by the presence of his father.<\/p>\n Which perhaps explains why, when speaking for the first time since dad and coach Shane was moved on<\/a>, Flanagan jnr was reluctant to broach the subject.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, I think it\u2019s definitely been a challenge,\u201d Flanagan said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe old man\u2019s sort of come out the last couple of weeks and said his part in it. For me, I\u2019ll probably touch on it a bit further down the track. For now, I\u2019m 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\u2019s what my focus is.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The constant scrutiny about his position has undoubtedly taken its toll. So how has Kyle got through it all?<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s probably a hard question to put a finger on it, but possibly my upbringing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou go through tough times. I guess every footballer has different scenarios that they go through when they\u2019re younger; different challenges have been thrown my way.<\/p>\n \u201cI just like to keep turning up and facing challenges head on \u2026 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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 \u2013 family.<\/p>\n \u201cPossibly,\u201d Flanagan said when asked whether his love of the game had wavered during the tough times. \u201cBut I think it always comes back to why you started and the goals you have within the game.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s your why? What\u2019s your reason why you want to get out of bed every morning and come down here to Wollongong?<\/p>\n \u201cThat all motivates me to keep playing, keep training hard and keep getting better as a person.\u201d<\/p>\n Pressed on his why, Flanagan replied: \u201cI think we touched on it before, it\u2019s my family.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Atkinson\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Related Article Atkinson also marvelled at how Flanagan had managed to navigate such a trying period.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t speak highly enough of how he\u2019s handled it,\u201d Atkinson said. \u201cHe\u2019s handled it like a true man, and he\u2019s put the club first.\u201d<\/p>\n The Dragons snapped a 15-game, 295-day losing streak stretching back to last season when they beat defending premiers Brisbane last weekend<\/a>.<\/p>\n Flanagan said becoming a father had put his footballing struggles into perspective.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess there\u2019s 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the way I approach it every day, to come here, be a better man and go home to my family. That\u2019s life for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Kyle](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/5f35f6a7de7a66eb16ed3966826c68bc5e7da0fe.jpeg\")
Kyle Flanagan has spoken for the first time since his father was moved on.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Shane](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6ab215026c7c88623d516305cba345aeb9387df7.jpeg\")
Shane and Kyle Flanagan.NRL Photos<\/p>\n![\"It](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c72465a0916dd40b77252374e4aa629494c1928d.jpeg\")
It has been a tough run in 2026 for Kyle Flanagan and the Dragons.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Jai](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0731300add28957ef6979ae0a41fbf045effe61e.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n