Tigerdave
Well-known member
Interesting, hopefully they work out, especially if Flanagan works out as well as Ellis
2 new signings confirmed
- Thread starter fergiefurr
- Start date
@Chris said:
Yeah thats true mate, but you have to admit, since 2004, almost all the guys we have signed have been guys that either have "potential" or "are looking for a fresh start" and yet really only Galloway (And you could say TNT) have fulfilled that potential, the others have had no impact whatsoever in first grade and most have moved on to other clubs or the ESL.
MightyMaggy
New member
Maybe this guy will have a better attitude than Laurie had. Leopards never change their spots, they say, so I did not have alot of hope that Dane would improve at his age. I have not heard any reports that Moors had an attitude problem. Has anyone heard about his approach to training and the team?
Captain_Awesome
New member
FLANAGAN INSPIRED BY AUSSIE OPPORTUNITY
By Ian Laybourn, Press Association Sport Rugby League Correspondent
Little-known Mark Flanagan is hoping to make his mark in Australia's National Rugby League after his long-awaited breakthrough in Super League came too late to halt his planned move Down Under.
The 21-year-old Wigan loose forward will be one of only two Englishmen plying his trade in the NRL in 2010 after being offered the chance to join former Leeds second-rower Gareth Ellis at 2005 champions Wests Tigers.
Having waited three years to make his Super League debut, Flanagan has appeared in each of the Warriors' last eight matches but it was frustration over his lack of first-team opportunities that prompted him to consider a new life in Australia, with a helping hand from former Wigan and New Zealand coach Frank Endacott.
"At the time I was playing in the reserves at Wigan," he explained. "I wasn't too sure if Wigan wanted to keep me so I spoke to my agent, Frank, and he suggested the idea of playing in Australia.
"It sounded a good idea at the time and, after Wests said they were interested in me, it pretty much made my mind up.
"I thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to potentially play in the NRL and live in a city like Sydney and I'm really looking forward to it.
"It's a one-year deal with an extension if I do all right."
Flanagan, son of former Oldham and Great Britain loose forward Terry Flanagan, has a hard act to follow in arguably the toughest competition in the world.
Ellis, who linked up with England this week ahead of the Four Nations series, has made a big impression in his first season with the Tigers, and before him Adrian Morley enjoyed six successful years with Sydney Roosters while Brian Carney was a one-season hit with Newcastle Knights in 2006.
But few other British players have managed to win over the tough Australian critics in recent times.
Keith Mason (then with Wakefield), Ian Sibbit (Warrington), Mark Edmondson (St Helens) and, more recently Jordan Tansey (Leeds), have flirted with the NRL but none lasted more than a few months.
However, Flanagan reckons he has nothing to lose by the venture, having faced an uncertain future in the English game despite his huge potential.
"I probably would have re-signed with Wigan if I had the chance but I wasn't getting a chance at the time and there wasn't much contact from them in terms of a new contract so I started to look elsewhere," he said.
"When I got my chance, I had already made my mind up that I wanted to go down there. It was one of those things, I suppose."
The former Bradford junior, who followed coach Brian Noble from Odsal to the JJB Stadium in 2006, is confident in his own ability and, whether or not he makes the big breakthrough, he believes he will come back a better player.
"I have an Australian girlfriend, which had a bit to do with it, but the main reason was the rugby," he added.
"I spoke to a few of the Aussie boys here before I made my decision and they said it would really bring on my game.
"I emailed Gareth Ellis the other day and he said learning new training techniques and playing in a better competition had made him a better player.
"My dad said: 'If it's something you want to do, have no regrets.' He said I can always hopefully come back and find a club in Super League and be the better for it so I might as well have a go at it."
http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/09/09/22/RUGBYL_Column.html
By Ian Laybourn, Press Association Sport Rugby League Correspondent
Little-known Mark Flanagan is hoping to make his mark in Australia's National Rugby League after his long-awaited breakthrough in Super League came too late to halt his planned move Down Under.
The 21-year-old Wigan loose forward will be one of only two Englishmen plying his trade in the NRL in 2010 after being offered the chance to join former Leeds second-rower Gareth Ellis at 2005 champions Wests Tigers.
Having waited three years to make his Super League debut, Flanagan has appeared in each of the Warriors' last eight matches but it was frustration over his lack of first-team opportunities that prompted him to consider a new life in Australia, with a helping hand from former Wigan and New Zealand coach Frank Endacott.
"At the time I was playing in the reserves at Wigan," he explained. "I wasn't too sure if Wigan wanted to keep me so I spoke to my agent, Frank, and he suggested the idea of playing in Australia.
"It sounded a good idea at the time and, after Wests said they were interested in me, it pretty much made my mind up.
"I thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to potentially play in the NRL and live in a city like Sydney and I'm really looking forward to it.
"It's a one-year deal with an extension if I do all right."
Flanagan, son of former Oldham and Great Britain loose forward Terry Flanagan, has a hard act to follow in arguably the toughest competition in the world.
Ellis, who linked up with England this week ahead of the Four Nations series, has made a big impression in his first season with the Tigers, and before him Adrian Morley enjoyed six successful years with Sydney Roosters while Brian Carney was a one-season hit with Newcastle Knights in 2006.
But few other British players have managed to win over the tough Australian critics in recent times.
Keith Mason (then with Wakefield), Ian Sibbit (Warrington), Mark Edmondson (St Helens) and, more recently Jordan Tansey (Leeds), have flirted with the NRL but none lasted more than a few months.
However, Flanagan reckons he has nothing to lose by the venture, having faced an uncertain future in the English game despite his huge potential.
"I probably would have re-signed with Wigan if I had the chance but I wasn't getting a chance at the time and there wasn't much contact from them in terms of a new contract so I started to look elsewhere," he said.
"When I got my chance, I had already made my mind up that I wanted to go down there. It was one of those things, I suppose."
The former Bradford junior, who followed coach Brian Noble from Odsal to the JJB Stadium in 2006, is confident in his own ability and, whether or not he makes the big breakthrough, he believes he will come back a better player.
"I have an Australian girlfriend, which had a bit to do with it, but the main reason was the rugby," he added.
"I spoke to a few of the Aussie boys here before I made my decision and they said it would really bring on my game.
"I emailed Gareth Ellis the other day and he said learning new training techniques and playing in a better competition had made him a better player.
"My dad said: 'If it's something you want to do, have no regrets.' He said I can always hopefully come back and find a club in Super League and be the better for it so I might as well have a go at it."
http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/09/09/22/RUGBYL_Column.html
