EXCLUSIVE: Shane Flanagan's Eels reunion would be 'invaluable', says Peter Sterling

Flanagan's input 'invaluable'

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season-ending loss to the Rabbitohs, Eels coach Brad Arthur was convinced his side was well prepared despite the absence of star players Michael Jennings, Blake Ferguson and Maika Sivo.

Arthur sounded confident and the Eels played that way, holding a 10-point lead at the break. Every team's vulnerabilities become more acute either side of half-time, especially now with the six-again rules, and the Eels proved it. They built their lead late in the first half but lost it early in the second, sinking Arthur's finals record with the club to a dismal 1-5.

Arthur, who recently signed an extension, has taken the club from wooden spooners to playing consecutive seasons of finals football for the first time in 15 years. He's considered a 'players coach' and always has been, building a following from his days as an assistant at Manly.

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Premiership winner Shane Flanagan is on the market. (Getty)

Former Sharks premiership winning coach Shane Flanagan's name has been mentioned as a possible figure that could give the club that extra edge. Flanagan is known as a hard task master, who built the Sharks first ever title-winning team on defence. The 2016 Sharks were a feared group and were known as a team that lived in the trenches.

"Shane Flanagan is a premiership winner, his input would be invaluable. Do you want him there on a daily or weekly basis I don't know," Eels legend Peter Sterling told Wide World of Sports' Sterlo's Wrap.

"I'm not sure that's the way to go. It comes down to taking the team to the next level – from a competitive football team to a championship team. It's not easy to do, every coach is aiming to do that."

Gutherson a NSW utility option: Sterlo

Flanagan played with the Eels between 1992-94 before a knee injury forced him into coaching the lower grades. He spent seven years at the Eels and was hugely successful, guiding his teams to the semi finals every year and winning a few comps along the way. He also played a pivotal role in developing greats of the club Jamie Lyon, Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt, and has a winning history with the club and beyond.

Replies

Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst October 13, 2020 at 4:52pm

God, Pleaseeeee say it is so
- Frank The Tank > Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst October 13, 2020 at 5:22pm
  
  Agreed
  
  PRETTY PUHLEASE
MontoEel October 13, 2020 at 4:56pm

He should be the Eels coach in 2021or at least assistant and then head coach after they get rid of Arthur.

Its more than obvious Brad Arthur has done as much as he can and he now needs to step aside and allow the Eels to get to the next level.
- CarloEEL2 > MontoEel October 13, 2020 at 4:58pm
  
  X a billion trillion
  
  “ he’s da man “
  - MontoEel > CarloEEL2 October 13, 2020 at 5:19pm
    
    I love your support Carlo :) xoxo
  - Frank The Tank > CarloEEL2 October 13, 2020 at 5:23pm
    
    I'll throw in a Quadrillion Quintilian
    - LegendTHECROWEELS > Frank The Tank October 13, 2020 at 6:22pm
      
      I will go Quadzillion
      - Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" > LegendTHECROWEELS October 14, 2020 at 12:31pm
        
        I raise by a Sqillion.
- colin hussey > MontoEel October 13, 2020 at 6:57pm
  
  If BA steps aside do not expect Flanno to take over as he is banned from head coach work until 2022. He can only be an assistant in 2021, having him there would be good and they swap positions in 2022, still believe that BA would have a job at the eels for a time.
  
  If the eels & Flanno agree to him bein assistant for 2021 it still has to be ratified by the NRL the same as it was at Saints.
  
  I hope it works out that this happens.
- Parramanaic > MontoEel October 17, 2020 at 1:10pm
  
  BA as an assistant to Flanagan since BA already know the lads personally. BA would be a good assistant.