Bulldogs halfback Kyle Flanagan has rejected a huge offer to move to English Super League immediately.
Flanagan has struggled to perform at a consistent level at Belmore and Bulldogs officials believe a couple of years in England would help him regain his confidence and reset his game.
English club Hull FC, coached by former Wests Tigers star Brett Hodgson, has made Flanagan an attractive approach.
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But Flanagan, in conjunction with his father, former Sharks’ premiership winner Shane, has dug his heels in and wants to remain at the Bulldogs under interim coach Mick Potter.
Flanagan’s game has improved since Potter took over the reins but he still appears to lack the confidence and experience to steer an NRL team around the paddock.
Titans prepare to axe Holbrook
Titans coach Justin Holbrook is a dead man walking and I’m hearing the club will use the upcoming bye week to send him packing.
The club fired a shot across Holbrook’s bow last week, sacking his strength and conditioning coach and best mate Klint Hoare.
I’m not sure what the board hoped to achieve by that move but the result was another limp performance by the Titans in Newcastle on the weekend.
The Titans are now in last spot on the ladder with just three wins and in a worrying sign for Holbrook, the three clubs immediately above him have already sacked their coaches.
I think Holbrook can coach – but the playing group isn’t up to scratch.
David Fifita rarely justifies his million-dollar price tag, halfback Toby Sexton is still learning his craft and has had several different five-eighths alongside him during the opening half of the season.
Boom young fullback Jayden Campbell has missed many games and the club lacks a hooker with dummy-half prowess.
But it’s easier to sack a coach than a dozen players and Holbrook looks set to become the latest coaching casualty on the holiday strip.
What Burton really thinks of the Bulldogs
All you Bulldogs fans worried about the possible loss of Matt Burton, I have just one word for you – chill.
I’m hearing that all the talk of Burton looking to go elsewhere once his contract expires at the end of 2023 is just a ploy to up his asking price.
Burton has told mates he has been more than happy with his move from premiers Penrith to the struggling Bulldogs.
He is still playing great football and he knows the Bulldogs will continue to improve over the next couple of seasons as Phil Gould trims the dead wood from the roster and brings in star players like Reed Mahoney and Viliame Kikau.
RLWC press conference clanger
It was all going so well at a press conference for the Rugby League World Cup in England last week.
Then the guest of honour, Nadine Dorries, the UK secretary of state for sport, decided to speak.
“I’ve always liked the idea of rugby league,” Nadine told a massive media throng.
“That drop goal in 2003 was such a special moment.”
Several journalists dropped their microphones while the minister’s aides attempted to brush over the gaffe.
The drop goal was actually in the Rugby UNION World Cup. #OOPS
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