St George Illawarra five-eighth Kyle Flanagan is embracing his return to PointsBet Stadium as he looks to topple his former teammates.
The playmaker progressed through the Cronulla junior pathway throughout the 2010s, culminating in an Under-20’s minor premiership in 2017.
Playing alongside Flanagan throughout that dominant season were current Sharks Will Kennedy, Briton Nikora, Sione Katoa and Blayke Brailey.
The five-eighth made his NRL debut the following year and hoped to one day win a grand final alongside the talented crop of players.
Flanagan, however, departed Cronulla in 2019 and has spent the past five years fighting to become a regular first-grade player.
The 25-year-old will return to the Shire on Sunday to face his former club and is eager to make a statement on his former home ground.
“I’ve got a lot of mates in that Cronulla team that I played junior football and Under-20’s with,” Flanagan told NRL.com. “It’s always a good night out when you get to verse your [former] teammates and people you’re mates with.
“I’ll put that to one side, it’s a local derby and I’m looking forward to the clash on Sunday arvo.”
Flanagan has elevated his game to another level this year after linking up with father and new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan.
The family’s ties to the Sharks run deep, with Shane the only man to lead Cronulla to an NRL premiership.
The coach made a point of reminding fans of this fact in the wake of St George Illawarra’s 60-18 loss to the Roosters last Thursday, quickly turning the focus to Sunday’s grudge match.
Cronulla, however, are currently flying high at the top of the NRL, with the Dragons down in 11th.
Kyle was hesitant to throw further fuel on the fire but declared his team won’t take a backwards step at PointsBet Stadium.
“It’s a local derby but this time I’m on the flipside,” he said. “I’m looking forward to playing at Shark Park, I live around the corner.