EXCLUSIVE: Shane Flanagan's Eels reunion would be 'invaluable', says Peter Sterling
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Flanagan's input 'invaluable'
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.
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
BA isn’t a loser but he is limited in many areas. He shouldn’t be afraid to get the best possible help in as this may end up lengthening his career after Parra. But if he resists, I doubt he will find another first grade role at any other club that has premierships as their main goal.
Well said frank
Agree Frank. Watching post games pressers with BA, even with a win under the belt he is still prepared to not just make excuses for the players, OR HIMSELF one can see how he hurts with losses, he certainly made that clear enough after our last game, I don't see him looking thankfull for any loss and I doubt any coach would be either. Difference is that a number of other coaches chuck tantrums, accompanied by a water bottle out the window or, let loose at the refs or other reasons other than their own. BA no doubt makes his hurt known but does it also in a respectful manner.
With nothing of note on the box tonight, I had a look at my recorded game at Bega following the fires down there, between the riff & parra, the game ended in a 22-22 draw, the eels towards the end had a fair number of the main players off with jnr players on the field, they did well even allowing for the refs not seeing the niggles by the riff in tackles so nil penalties, worst part was listening to goul & flapper fred in how they talked about the greatness of the riff, the draw brought them back to earth, though only a little.
Agree Frank, doubt BA would get a HC role anywhere else in the NRL.
Yes he did - he also had some players on peppys and he was involved in some issues too.
he did wonders for the dragons
Smartest thing Sterlo has ever said, Flanno is the man we need and BA needs to be paid out early.
We cant keep letting big opportunities go coach wise.
Ive little doubt we are already in contact with him behind the scenes
Brissy, ba could be paid out for his last year. I'd be bringing flanno in asap as an assistant
ASAP
I agree Chief. We need really good assistants for the head coach. I believe Flanno might just be the personality to help give the players that hard edge and winners mentality.