Feb 26th, 2019

Feb 26th, 2019

A bold and straight-talking Kyle Flanagan doesn't hide from the fact that he's out to take the Cronulla No.7 jumper away from Chad Townsend this NRL season - and he wants to keep it for a long time.

"I'm not going to wait around, I'm going to go out and get that jersey and I can't wait to rip in," Flanagan told AAP.

After getting a taste of first-grade under his dad Shane last year, Flanagan is out to establish himself as a first-grader and leader of the Sharks in 2019.

An Aquinas Colts junior, Flanagan oozes passion for the club - a feeling that hasn't been diminished by his father being deregistered and forced out of the NRL.

In fact, he chose to re-sign to remain in the Shire for a further two years, despite having plenty of offers to go elsewhere.

It's been widely assumed that premiership-winner Townsend will partner marquee recruit Shaun Johnson in the halves this year.

But Flanagan has been vocal in letting them know he's nipping at their heels.

Kyle Flanagan (R) intends to take Chad Townsend's (C) No.7 jersey. (AAP)

"I've been here as a junior, it's all I ever wanted to be - to be a halfback and be a leader of this club," Flanagan said.

"I'm not going to wait around, I'm going to go get it.

"There's a few boys coming through now that I'm really good mates with and I can't wait to play first grade with them."

When his father was struck out of the game, for communicating with club officials during his 2014 ban for his part in the peptides scandal, few would have held it against him if he decided to look elsewhere to continue his career.

However he said it never crossed his mind and has impressed club officials with his determination since then.

"There was no thought in my mind," Flanagan said.

"I always wanted to play first-grade here and show the fans and the community that I can really play footy.

"I'm not going to lie, there was definitely offers out there for me."

Kyle Flanagan has extended his Sharks deal despite the furore surrounding his father. (AAP)

Flanagan said his father, who guided the club to their maiden premiership in 2016, wouldn't be lost to the game and believed he would be back in the coaching ranks one day.

"He's going good. At the start it was a tough team for him and the family," Flanagan said.

"We're waiting to hear back what happens with the appeals process.

"But there's no stopping him, he'll definitely be back.

"He loves footy, he has so much love and respect for his players, he always does the best job for them. They need him in the game."

©AAP2019