Shock new role could save axed Bulldog's career

Out-of-favour halfback Kyle Flanagan may have found himself a new position on Sunday with the Bulldogs defeating the Dragons 22-12 in the NSW Cup.

The halfback was picked at hooker for the side and impressed one very important onlooker, Canterbury football boss Phil Gould.

Asked about Flanagan's selection situation, Gould complimented the 24-year-old at dummy half.

READ MORE: Chilling realisation after 'unthinkable' rocked sport

READ MORE: Tigers clinch upset of the season as Brooks dazzles

READ MORE: Fuming Verstappen delivers foul-mouthed spray at rival

"Just watching Kyle play NSW Cup here in Wollongong at the moment," he wrote on Twitter.

"He is playing hooker and looks quite at home in the role.

"Good quality reserve grade game. Despite the player drain with injury, our boys are competing well."

https://twitter.com/PhilGould15/status/1652530402735845381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Reports of Flanagan making an immediate move to Manly emerged on Saturday night, causing Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold to deny the rumours after his side's embarrassing 26-10 loss to the Titans. 

"I'm not going to speculate on that," Seibold said post-game.

Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now

"One thing I will say is that we have a spot to fill. We have signed 29 players, and we are going to fill it before June 30.

"What we are doing at the moment is having a good look at the position we need to fill.

Seibold said the club would most likely look to target a player like prop Aaron Woods who came across from the Dragons.

"We had 28 players, we brought Woodsy in to do a role so we will look around for what we need. We are short for outside backs, potentially we can add to our halves as well, so we will have those conversations during the week, but we certainly haven't signed Kyle Flanagan if that's the speculation."

Flanagan's potential move to Manly would reunite him with his father Shane who is an assistant coach at the Sea Eagles. 

Teen sensation Karl Oloapu has been named to make his NRL debut off the bench for the Bulldogs.

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!