A player trade involving two young running backs between the Bulldogs and Dragons is reportedly being discussed.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the two struggling NRL clubs are mooting the idea of trading Kyle Flanagan and Jayden Sullivan. Flanagan, 23, has been much maligned during his fledgling career, leaving the Sharks and then being cut by the Roosters mid-contract, only to land on the Bulldogs, where he has been in and out of the first-grade team.
Trent Barrett recently called him up to the NRL, before the manager resigned his job to leave the entire roster in limbo.
Sullivan’s NRL career has only just begun. The 20-year-old is fighting for a place in the St George Illawarra line-up despite having a contract with the club until the end of 2025, considered one of the club’s most promising young talents.
The Dragons are considering extending million-dollar running back Ben Hunt’s contract given his form, while Talatau Amone is the preferred young weapon to fill the other position in the halves at the moment.
Throwing an extra element into the situation is Flanagan’s father, Shane.
Shane Flanagan is on the recruitment committee at St George Illawarra but is also looking for the vacant managerial position at Belmore.
If Shane were to become the Bulldogs’ coach, having his son Kyle on the team could be seen as a complication, particularly given the dire situation the Bulldogs find themselves in. The best rugby league players who never appeared in State of Origin, including test representatives.