Roosters letting Flanagan go, Lam poised to be long term option

SYDNEY: Roosters No.7 Kyle Flanagan has been told he will not have his contract renewed beyond next season, and will now weigh up interest from NRL rivals led by Canterbury as he exits the Bondi bubble.
Flanagan has dominated headlines and polarised opinion since the Tricolours season-ending loss to Canberra, with the Bulldogs publicly stating their interest in the 22-year-old this week.
NRL.com understands the Roosters have conveyed to Flanagan that teen prodigy Sam Walker and Lachlan Lam are viewed as the club’s long-term halves options alongside Luke Keary.
The Roosters have made no official comment on Flanagan’s future.
But after being told he has only a limited shelf life in red, white and blue, Flanagan is considered likely to request permission to begin negotiations with rival clubs.
Canterbury are believed to be leading the chase for the former Shark, having already planned to target Flanagan from Nov 1 when he came off contract. Incoming Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett is understood to have Flanagan earmarked as a goalkicking playmaker to lead his Belmore rebuild.
Releasing Flanagan from the Roosters would free up much-needed salary cap space along with the retirement of Mitchell Aubusson, return to England for Ryan Hall and potential for Sonny Bill Williams to follow.
Despite talk of Mitchell Pearce being viewed upon for a Roosters return gaining traction yesterday, the club has nowhere near enough cap space for the Knights skipper to be a consideration for next year.
Newcastle are set to pick up contract talks with the 31-year-old later in the summer, though there have been suggestions a pay cut may be put to Pearce.
At the Roosters, teen tyro Walker, the son of former Bronco Ben, has been highly rated since he arrived in last year’s pre-season, training throughout this year as a member of the club’s Covid-19 bubble without seeing any game time. Trent Robinson is determined not to rush him into first grade before he is ready, but confidence is growing around Walker’s ability to make the jump. – NRL