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Sheens tests Flanagan in a new English experiment
Adrian Proszenko | November 22, 2009
SAM BURGESS and Gareth Ellis may not be the only Englishman in the NRL next year.
Wests Tigers forward Ellis may be packing down with a compatriot after former Wigan lock Mark Flanagan signed a one-year deal with the joint-venture club.
After serving an apprenticeship under Trent Barrett at the Warriors, Flanagan made his Super League debut midway through last season. Coming in to replace Gareth Hock, who tested positive for cocaine, the 21-year-old immediately impressed and remained in the top grade for the rest of the season.
His form attracted the interest of Super League clubs, which were prepared to shell out about £70,000 ($126,000) to keep him in England. Instead, he accepted an offer from the Tigers worth less than a quarter of that amount, a deal that also allowed him to link up with his Australian girlfriend.
The son of former British international Terry Flanagan, Mark hopes to fulfil a life-long ambition to play in the NRL.
''I used to watch the NRL all the time. It used to be on the TV two or three times a week in the UK,'' Flanagan said. ''I've always watched it and hoped to play there.
''My dad played for Great Britain and pretty much all of my cousins and uncles played to a decent level as well. It's kind of in the blood.''
Tigers coach Tim Sheens decided to sign Flanagan after receiving a glowing endorsement from former Cronulla, Manly and Wigan centre Phil Bailey.
''Phil Bailey gave him a rap,'' Sheens said. ''So we said we'd have a look at him. He started to play first grade and he went well. He can tackle and he's got lock written all over him, even though he's got a bit of nine and five-eighth in him.
''He's come over for an opportunity. He'll train with the senior guys, which will give him a real chance.
''He's another English experiment.''
Sheens's last English experiment, the British international Ellis, was an unqualified success. The former Leeds forward was named the Wests Tigers players' player of the year in his debut season and was nominated for the prestigious Golden Boot award.
Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell said Flanagan had impressed him reporting at Concord. ''Mark is a bit of a rough diamond,'' he said. ''We're real happy with him. He's going to be a real smokie.
''If determination and effort mean anything, he will [play first grade].''
Adrian Proszenko | November 22, 2009
SAM BURGESS and Gareth Ellis may not be the only Englishman in the NRL next year.
Wests Tigers forward Ellis may be packing down with a compatriot after former Wigan lock Mark Flanagan signed a one-year deal with the joint-venture club.
After serving an apprenticeship under Trent Barrett at the Warriors, Flanagan made his Super League debut midway through last season. Coming in to replace Gareth Hock, who tested positive for cocaine, the 21-year-old immediately impressed and remained in the top grade for the rest of the season.
His form attracted the interest of Super League clubs, which were prepared to shell out about £70,000 ($126,000) to keep him in England. Instead, he accepted an offer from the Tigers worth less than a quarter of that amount, a deal that also allowed him to link up with his Australian girlfriend.
The son of former British international Terry Flanagan, Mark hopes to fulfil a life-long ambition to play in the NRL.
''I used to watch the NRL all the time. It used to be on the TV two or three times a week in the UK,'' Flanagan said. ''I've always watched it and hoped to play there.
''My dad played for Great Britain and pretty much all of my cousins and uncles played to a decent level as well. It's kind of in the blood.''
Tigers coach Tim Sheens decided to sign Flanagan after receiving a glowing endorsement from former Cronulla, Manly and Wigan centre Phil Bailey.
''Phil Bailey gave him a rap,'' Sheens said. ''So we said we'd have a look at him. He started to play first grade and he went well. He can tackle and he's got lock written all over him, even though he's got a bit of nine and five-eighth in him.
''He's come over for an opportunity. He'll train with the senior guys, which will give him a real chance.
''He's another English experiment.''
Sheens's last English experiment, the British international Ellis, was an unqualified success. The former Leeds forward was named the Wests Tigers players' player of the year in his debut season and was nominated for the prestigious Golden Boot award.
Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell said Flanagan had impressed him reporting at Concord. ''Mark is a bit of a rough diamond,'' he said. ''We're real happy with him. He's going to be a real smokie.
''If determination and effort mean anything, he will [play first grade].''
