Shane Flanagan - the man behind the rise of the Cronulla Sharks

It was about 22 years ago that Massey and Cronin, then on the coaching staff at Parramatta, pulled Shane Flanagan aside and suggested he go into coaching.

Flanagan has transformed Cronulla since becoming head coach at the back end of the 2010 season, putting together one of the strongest rosters in the competition and leading the Sharks to the top of the NRL table.

But Flanagan’s career could have gone so differently.

It was in 1994 in the final year of his playing contract with Parramatta that he suffered a serious knee injury. From there, his path changed. Had he ever thought he would end up going into coaching?

“No, definitely not,” Flanagan said. 

“I was just battling along trying to earn an income basically and then I did my knee. 

“Our coaching staff at that stage, Ron Massey and Mick Cronin, sort of said that ‘we want to push you into coaching.’ I don’t know what they saw but they must of seen something.

“I’ve really enjoyed it, I love the game and being involved in the game. Going into coaching was probably the next step. I wasn’t real good at filling up water bottles or anything like that so [I thought I] may as well go into coaching.”

His first coaching assignment was Parramatta’s SG Ball side in 1997. From there Flanagan coached the Australian Schoolboys and was an assistant coach to Ricky Stuart at the Sydney Roosters and Craig Bellamy with NSW.

That development, and mentoring, was vital for a young coach trying to find his way in a new career.

“I’ve had a few [mentors],” Flanagan said.

“I talk to Craig Bellamy a fair bit. We catch up at Christmas time and that sort of stuff. Obviously there’s some really important people in your life that you look for guidance in.

“Ron Massey has been great for me. Mick Cronin, all the coaches that I’ve worked for have played a part in me as a coach as well. Ricky Stuart, Brian Smith, all of those type of people. My own coaches, Warren Ryan, Mick Cronin, Craig Young, Roy Masters, they all have some sort of impact on you developing as a coach.”

And the 50-year-old, a veteran of 78 first grade appearances as a player for St George, Western Suburbs and Parramatta, is enjoying every minute working with his current group of players.

From the work ethic at training, the improving discipline on the field and bond between the players off it has Flanagan heading into work every morning with a smile on his face.

“Obviously where we’re at at the moment, days like [against Manly last month] where we’re working really hard to achieve a common goal with a group of young men is really rewarding,” he said. 

“[As is] getting them to a point where they start to believe in themselves. Being with young men they’ll always challenge you [but] it’s a good environment to be in when you’re winning footy games.

“They work really hard for each other and they understand their roles at the moment. No one’s bigger than the team and everyone plays their part. I think they bring each other down to earth pretty quickly if someone starts to get a big head or anything like that.

“So obviously for the young blokes that’s been good as well. And they get on together really well. They socialise well together and enjoy each other’s company.” 

But it is not just promising signs on the field for Cronulla.

Along with their potentially game-changing Woolooware Bay development, the Sharks are in the advantageous position of owning their own ground and appear to be going from strength to strength off the field as well.

It is that bright future that has Flanagan excited about building a perennially successful club, one to challenge as a competition heavyweight year after year. 

“We have [put the building blocks in place],” he said. 

“It’s a great little area to live, it’s a great area to play football. We’ve got our own stadium, the club’s in a really good position. We’ve learnt from those tough times and I think there’s no reason why we can’t over the next five to 10 years continue to be a top eight team. 

“And that’s a goal as well to be consistently in that top eight. That helps so many different things. It helps sponsors, it helps recruitment, it helps marketing, it helps ticket sales, it helps everything.”

With Cronulla setting the pace at the top of the table it would be impossible for Flanagan not to dream of the glory the club has waited to celebrate for so long. But flying under the radar is the last thing he wants to do. 

“Without doubt it’s a dream of mine, obviously,” he said.

“I wasn’t lucky enough to play in one but to coach in one and be head coach at a club to win its first grand final would be a dream come true. I don’t think about it too often because there’s a lot of work to be done there but obviously sometimes you do think about it. 

“It’d be a great achievement. I’ve lived in the area for most of my life. I’ve seen the club go through some difficult times, I’ve seen this group go through some difficult times and we’ve stuck together and worked really hard [and] for me that’s probably the key.

“Let’s hope there is that big bonus at the end of the rainbow.”