The Bulldogs have reportedly failed in their bid to offload Kyle Flanagan and will be forced to pay the 23-year-old almost $500,000 to play reserve grade this year.
Flanagan joined the Bulldogs last season on a three-year deal said to be worth $450,000-per-season after he was released early from his Roosters contract.
There’s been rumours circulating suggesting the Bulldogs also hoped to offload him early after a disappointing first season at the club, however News Corp reports their attempts have failed.
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But Bulldogs General Manager of Football Phil Gould slammed the reports and said nothing had been determined at this point.
“This report is totally incorrect. Kyle Flanagan has never been offered to other clubs,” Gould wrote in a tweet.
“Kyle has never been asked to seek another club. As for starting the year in reserve grade, Kyle is one of 4 NRL quality half-backs on our roster.
“We haven’t played a trial game yet.”
Flanagan has previously been linked to a return to the Sharks, where he made his NRL debut, and two Super League clubs were said to show some initial interest.
There was a belief that Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett could get the best out of Flanagan after being credited for the Panthers’ attack in 2020, but the young halfback failed to meet expectations.
Flanagan was dropped after Round 9 last season. He returned to the side in the Bulldogs’ Round 16 66-nil loss and then was dropped again the following week. He was then recalled for Round 20 only to be axed for a third time a week later.
Flanagan finished the season with six try-assists and eight linebreak assists — second and first in the side respectively overall despite only playing 13 games.
New recruit Matt Burton will take up one spot in the halves, while it’s expected last year’s recipient of the Coach’s Award, Jake Averillo, will get first shot at partnering him.
That means Flanagan will likely start the season in New South Wales Cup.
An early release could have benefited the Bulldogs financially given the club is feeling the salary cap squeeze. Canterbury-Bankstown have already offloaded star winger Nick Cotric ahead of the 2022 season.
Originally published as ‘Totally incorrect’: Phil Gould hits back at rumour Bulldogs tried to offload Kyle Flanagan
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