Kyle Flanagan’s Canterbury move is complete after the Bulldogs confirmed the axed Sydney Roosters’ halfback’s arrival on a three-year deal.
A day after admitting he was “shocked and disappointed” at his Roosters’ demise with a year to run on his contract, Flanagan’s future was sorted on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old becomes Trent Barrett’s biggest-name signing, with the lure of working with the former Manly coach the likely biggest appeal.
Barrett is seen as one of the best attacking coaches in the game, having helped restructure Penrith’s attack and change the way Nathan Cleary played in 2020.
It helped the Panthers go all the way to the grand final on the back of 17 straight wins before their 26-20 loss to Melbourne in the decider on Sunday.
Daly Cherry-Evans also played an exciting up-tempo style in his time under Barrett at Manly between 2015 and 2017, as he took full control of the Sea Eagles’ attack.
A similar chance now awaits Flanagan.
Several questions remain around the rest of the Bulldogs’ spine, after Canterbury chopped and changed in key positions this season.
They have also signed Nick Cotric, Jack Hetherington, Corey Waddell and the injured Blake Green.
Flanagan’s exit from the Roosters comes after he was signed as Cooper Cronk’s replacement, only to be dropped mid-season.
He found his way back into the side through injuries before the finals, until they exited after losses to the Panthers and Canberra.
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