Can someone explain it to me? I just don't get it.

I dont think there's any hate, just not really good enough for a quota spot, imo

Maybe this will help [urlhttp://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/08/20/knowsley-safari-park-s-roadhog-rhino-92534-21566136/[/url

Maybe this will help [urlhttp://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/08/20/knowsley-safari-park-s-roadhog-rhino-92534-21566136/[/url

i don't think there's any hate whatsoever.. i think most people agree he has a place in the team, but possibly not a quota space

Quote ="Saintsnut"Maybe this will help [urlhttp://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/08/20/knowsley-safari-park-s-roadhog-rhino-92534-21566136/[/url'" /> Are you inferring that Chris Flannery should be encouraged to play on the motorway? To be honest I don't like the sinister tone of your suggestion. /> He's a decent enough player to be honest but does tend to disappear in games. For me he's too similar to Wilkin and not as good to make him a necessity in the squad. I would swap him for an NRL prop any day of the week, but I've no animosity towards him.

Quote ="Saintsnut"Maybe this will help [urlhttp://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/08/20/knowsley-safari-park-s-roadhog-rhino-92534-21566136/[/url'" /> Are you inferring that Chris Flannery should be encouraged to play on the motorway? To be honest I don't like the sinister tone of your suggestion. /> He's a decent enough player to be honest but does tend to disappear in games. For me he's too similar to Wilkin and not as good to make him a necessity in the squad. I would swap him for an NRL prop any day of the week, but I've no animosity towards him.

I think its that fans tend to expect imports to be world beaters in the Jamie Lyon, Mal Meninga, David Fairleigh mold. /> When they actually are merely good team players, then they get treated with disdain. I suspect some fans think they are being cheated. /> Personally i think Flannery has been a good signing. He is very under appreciated in terms of the work he does down the right hand channels. Defensively he is very solid, and he also can offer something in attack. /> However when looking at the development of some of our young forwards, there must be some doubt as to whether Saints will think it is worth offering him a new contract.

I think its that fans tend to expect imports to be world beaters in the Jamie Lyon, Mal Meninga, David Fairleigh mold. /> When they actually are merely good team players, then they get treated with disdain. I suspect some fans think they are being cheated. /> Personally i think Flannery has been a good signing. He is very under appreciated in terms of the work he does down the right hand channels. Defensively he is very solid, and he also can offer something in attack. /> However when looking at the development of some of our young forwards, there must be some doubt as to whether Saints will think it is worth offering him a new contract.

Quote ="The Chair Maker" Personally i think Flannery has been a good signing. He is very under appreciated in terms of the work he does down the right hand channels. Defensively he is very solid, and he also can offer something in attack.'" /> If he released Gidley one-on-one with his opposite every now and again, he would be a little less frustrating. Besides that, he's a good player, but it is understandable that some people expect more than 'good' from an expensive import (it's worth noting that he may be on less than most due to the broken leg he suffered before signing).

Quote ="The Chair Maker" Personally i think Flannery has been a good signing. He is very under appreciated in terms of the work he does down the right hand channels. Defensively he is very solid, and he also can offer something in attack.'" /> If he released Gidley one-on-one with his opposite every now and again, he would be a little less frustrating. Besides that, he's a good player, but it is understandable that some people expect more than 'good' from an expensive import (it's worth noting that he may be on less than most due to the broken leg he suffered before signing).

I don't mind Flanno - but I'd prefer to have a fully fit Jason Hooper www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_wink.gif" alt="icon_wink.gif" title="Wink" />

I don't mind Flanno - but I'd prefer to have a fully fit Jason Hooper www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_wink.gif" alt="icon_wink.gif" title="Wink" />

Quote ="rammsteinbloke"I don't mind Flanno - but I'd prefer to have a fully fit Jason Hooper www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_wink.gif" alt="icon_wink.gif" title="Wink" />'" Sooper Hooper!

Quote ="rammsteinbloke"I don't mind Flanno - but I'd prefer to have a fully fit Jason Hooper www.rlfans.com/images/smilies//icon_wink.gif" alt="icon_wink.gif" title="Wink" />'" Sooper Hooper!

Quote ="The Chair Maker"I think its that fans tend to expect imports to be world beaters in the Jamie Lyon, Mal Meninga, David Fairleigh mold. /> When they actually are merely good team players, then they get treated with disdain. I suspect some fans think they are being cheated. /> Personally i think Flannery has been a good signing. He is very under appreciated in terms of the work he does down the right hand channels. Defensively he is very solid, and he also can offer something in attack. /> However when looking at the development of some of our young forwards, there must be some doubt as to whether Saints will think it is worth offering him a new contract.'" /> There are no young back rowers at saints who will come anywhere near the ability of Flannery with the exception of Clough and Forster who is probably too young yet anyway. /> I for one would be happy if Flannery gets a new contract but then im not your average saints fan who only rates players on the amount of tries or line breaks they make

Quote ="The Chair Maker"I think its that fans tend to expect imports to be world beaters in the Jamie Lyon, Mal Meninga, David Fairleigh mold. /> When they actually are merely good team players, then they get treated with disdain. I suspect some fans think they are being cheated. /> Personally i think Flannery has been a good signing. He is very under appreciated in terms of the work he does down the right hand channels. Defensively he is very solid, and he also can offer something in attack. /> However when looking at the development of some of our young forwards, there must be some doubt as to whether Saints will think it is worth offering him a new contract.'" /> There are no young back rowers at saints who will come anywhere near the ability of Flannery with the exception of Clough and Forster who is probably too young yet anyway. /> I for one would be happy if Flannery gets a new contract but then im not your average saints fan who only rates players on the amount of tries or line breaks they make

Quote ="Mugwump"Can someone explain it to me? I just don't get it.'" /> I have no hate, just a feeling that he isn't much good and certainly not worth a quota spot. What makes it all the more irritating is how good he presumably was when he was paying SOO. It always leaves me wondering whether he's just lost it or is he happy to take our money without really bothering to try very hard. The former is less unpalatable than the latter but only just.

Quote ="Mugwump"Can someone explain it to me? I just don't get it.'" /> I have no hate, just a feeling that he isn't much good and certainly not worth a quota spot. What makes it all the more irritating is how good he presumably was when he was paying SOO. It always leaves me wondering whether he's just lost it or is he happy to take our money without really bothering to try very hard. The former is less unpalatable than the latter but only just.

Perhaps the Australians are better judges of ability.

No hate here, he is a bit too average to be taking up an overseas spot though imo.

Flannery is solid, there's no hate, he's nothing more than solid and an import. He played really well in a couple of games last year, was it Leeds at home where he got motm? But then didn't show those standards again.

Quote ="Mugwump"Perhaps the Australians are better judges of ability.'" /> What do you mean? Are you saying he's actually brilliant but we're all too stupid to realise it?

Quote ="Mugwump"Perhaps the Australians are better judges of ability.'" /> What do you mean? Are you saying he's actually brilliant but we're all too stupid to realise it?

I don't hate Flannery but (like many others) I think there are a few issues with him. /> 1. He is using a quota space which for someone solid is not great. /> 2. He should be more than a solid player. He has shown flashs of being a star but he has never done it week in week out. /> 3. He doesn't seem to create enough for his centres, which given the talent we have had in our back line is frustrating. /> 4. We have at least 4 young players (Ashurst, Maggenis, Dixon, Clough) that can do everything he does but he gets picked every week because he is a quota player (Aussie coaches don't drop aussie players). 5. He came over as a utility player that could play stand off and centre as well as second row. When in fact he is a pudding at centre and clearly not creative enough for stand off. /> 6. Without knowing his salary its hard to say but I imagine he is over paid for what we get out of him. /> He has been a good player for us but I can not see us renewing his contract after this year.

I don't hate Flannery but (like many others) I think there are a few issues with him. /> 1. He is using a quota space which for someone solid is not great. /> 2. He should be more than a solid player. He has shown flashs of being a star but he has never done it week in week out. /> 3. He doesn't seem to create enough for his centres, which given the talent we have had in our back line is frustrating. /> 4. We have at least 4 young players (Ashurst, Maggenis, Dixon, Clough) that can do everything he does but he gets picked every week because he is a quota player (Aussie coaches don't drop aussie players). 5. He came over as a utility player that could play stand off and centre as well as second row. When in fact he is a pudding at centre and clearly not creative enough for stand off. /> 6. Without knowing his salary its hard to say but I imagine he is over paid for what we get out of him. /> He has been a good player for us but I can not see us renewing his contract after this year.

I like Flannery he is a very underrated player and we really miss him when he is out of the team. His work rate is excellent and he is well worth a place in our team, whether that is a quota spot or not. We need players like him in our team. I would not mind if he was offered an extension to his contract.

He's similar to Phil Bailey. /> I'm not a massive fan of Bailey but you do realise how big his presence is when he's missing from the team. Any hardworking, solid & former Australian international will do alot of very good & often unoticed work particularily in defence and their experience will rub off onto youngsters. /> However, for the signing there must a decent balance between wages and quota spots in relation to the rest of the squad.

He's similar to Phil Bailey. /> I'm not a massive fan of Bailey but you do realise how big his presence is when he's missing from the team. Any hardworking, solid & former Australian international will do alot of very good & often unoticed work particularily in defence and their experience will rub off onto youngsters. /> However, for the signing there must a decent balance between wages and quota spots in relation to the rest of the squad.

Quote ="Noel Cleal"I don't hate Flannery but (like many others) I think there are a few issues with him. /> 1. He is using a quota space which for someone solid is not great.'" /> All good teams need solid players. Why should we only buy British ones? Quote 2. He should be more than a solid player. He has shown flashs of being a star but he has never done it week in week out.'" /> He's not a star. Setting him up as such to then knock him over because he isn't = dishonest. Quote 3. He doesn't seem to create enough for his centres, which given the talent we have had in our back line is frustrating.'" /> What talent? Excluding youngsters this is the worst Saints back line since before Benyon. Quote 4. We have at least 4 young players (Ashurst, Maggenis, Dixon, Clough) that can do everything he does but he gets picked every week because he is a quota player (Aussie coaches don't drop aussie players).'" The first three are still a good way behind him. Maggenis isn't even a sometime first-team player yet! Clough is half second-row, half prop - not a good point of comparison. Quote 5. He came over as a utility player that could play stand off and centre as well as second row. When in fact he is a pudding at centre and clearly not creative enough for stand off.'" /> He came over as a player who could do a good job in a number of positions - not Mal Meninga, Brett Kenney and Nathan Hindmarsh rolled into one. Quote 6. Without knowing his salary its hard to say but I imagine he is over paid for what we get out of him.'" /> You're prepared to ditch a useful player on the basis of no evidence whatsoever. If this isn't hate I don't know what is.

Quote ="Noel Cleal"I don't hate Flannery but (like many others) I think there are a few issues with him. /> 1. He is using a quota space which for someone solid is not great.'" /> All good teams need solid players. Why should we only buy British ones? Quote 2. He should be more than a solid player. He has shown flashs of being a star but he has never done it week in week out.'" /> He's not a star. Setting him up as such to then knock him over because he isn't = dishonest. Quote 3. He doesn't seem to create enough for his centres, which given the talent we have had in our back line is frustrating.'" /> What talent? Excluding youngsters this is the worst Saints back line since before Benyon. Quote 4. We have at least 4 young players (Ashurst, Maggenis, Dixon, Clough) that can do everything he does but he gets picked every week because he is a quota player (Aussie coaches don't drop aussie players).'" The first three are still a good way behind him. Maggenis isn't even a sometime first-team player yet! Clough is half second-row, half prop - not a good point of comparison. Quote 5. He came over as a utility player that could play stand off and centre as well as second row. When in fact he is a pudding at centre and clearly not creative enough for stand off.'" /> He came over as a player who could do a good job in a number of positions - not Mal Meninga, Brett Kenney and Nathan Hindmarsh rolled into one. Quote 6. Without knowing his salary its hard to say but I imagine he is over paid for what we get out of him.'" /> You're prepared to ditch a useful player on the basis of no evidence whatsoever. If this isn't hate I don't know what is.

Flannery does the things that coaches see and that fans don`t. He`s a solid player. Sadly he comes with a SOO reputation and that leads many fans to think he should make line breaks, crucial offloads all the time he is involved.

I think we miss Flannery's graft when he isn't around. Every team needs grafters and we need to give our grafters more credit for the work that they do, which often goes unnoticed by fans.

And he's busy doing that part time acting job on 'Caualty'.



This thread brings up a very good point. Since Saints have started playing a bit better and Meli has cut down on his "Oh nooooo Meli" moments, so who is our present scapegoat? If it's not Meli or Flannery then is it still Potter?



Is it back to Gardner?



How about big TP?



We need to know because I wouldn't want to go against the herd and make a scapegoat out of someone who was still popular. I'd feel embarrassed.

Quote ="Mugwump"All good teams need solid players. Why should we only buy British ones? He's not a star. Setting him up as such to then knock him over because he isn't = dishonest. What talent? Excluding youngsters this is the worst Saints back line since before Benyon. The first three are still a good way behind him. Maggenis isn't even a sometime first-team player yet! Clough is half second-row, half prop - not a good point of comparison. He came over as a player who could do a good job in a number of positions - not Mal Meninga, Brett Kenney and Nathan Hindmarsh rolled into one. You're prepared to ditch a useful player on the basis of no evidence whatsoever. If this isn't hate I don't know what is.'" /> I'm not really sure what the point of this thread is, you seem to be trying to pick a fight for no particular reason. So far you've called people dishonest, accused them of hating a player who they clearly don't hate and basically said that we're all (except you) too dim to see the talent that the Australian game (and you) can see clearly. /> Flannery has had the odd great game but mostly he's just average. The reason we shouldn't sign average Aussies is because there's a lot of average British players about who could do with the game time to become better than average and maybe even very good.

Quote ="Mugwump"All good teams need solid players. Why should we only buy British ones? He's not a star. Setting him up as such to then knock him over because he isn't = dishonest. What talent? Excluding youngsters this is the worst Saints back line since before Benyon. The first three are still a good way behind him. Maggenis isn't even a sometime first-team player yet! Clough is half second-row, half prop - not a good point of comparison. He came over as a player who could do a good job in a number of positions - not Mal Meninga, Brett Kenney and Nathan Hindmarsh rolled into one. You're prepared to ditch a useful player on the basis of no evidence whatsoever. If this isn't hate I don't know what is.'" /> I'm not really sure what the point of this thread is, you seem to be trying to pick a fight for no particular reason. So far you've called people dishonest, accused them of hating a player who they clearly don't hate and basically said that we're all (except you) too dim to see the talent that the Australian game (and you) can see clearly. /> Flannery has had the odd great game but mostly he's just average. The reason we shouldn't sign average Aussies is because there's a lot of average British players about who could do with the game time to become better than average and maybe even very good.

Quote ="Harry Pinner"I'm not really sure what the point of this thread is, you seem to be trying to pick a fight for no particular reason. So far you've called people dishonest, accused them of hating a player who they clearly don't hate and basically said that we're all (except you) too dim to see the talent that the Australian game (and you) can see clearly. /> Flannery has had the odd great game but mostly he's just average. The reason we shouldn't sign average Aussies is because there's a lot of average British players about who could do with the game time to become better than average and maybe even very good.'" /> I'm not picking a fight with anyone. I just want to know the reasons behind the Flannery bashing. If it's a good argument I'm prepared to listen to it. If it's a house Straw Man argument setting Flannery up as a "supposedly" great player (despite never being described as such in Australia) and then knocking him over BECAUSE he isn't - I'm going to call it as such. And slating the guy for his "supposed" wages - without KNOWING his wages is just dishonesty - plain and simple. As for the Australians having a better understanding of player abilities - I think that's a perfectly justifiable argument to make, given the media exposure and critical analysis offered in that country over a broad range of TV, radio and print. The kind we lack here because of the sport's limited appeal.

Quote ="Harry Pinner"I'm not really sure what the point of this thread is, you seem to be trying to pick a fight for no particular reason. So far you've called people dishonest, accused them of hating a player who they clearly don't hate and basically said that we're all (except you) too dim to see the talent that the Australian game (and you) can see clearly. /> Flannery has had the odd great game but mostly he's just average. The reason we shouldn't sign average Aussies is because there's a lot of average British players about who could do with the game time to become better than average and maybe even very good.'" /> I'm not picking a fight with anyone. I just want to know the reasons behind the Flannery bashing. If it's a good argument I'm prepared to listen to it. If it's a house Straw Man argument setting Flannery up as a "supposedly" great player (despite never being described as such in Australia) and then knocking him over BECAUSE he isn't - I'm going to call it as such. And slating the guy for his "supposed" wages - without KNOWING his wages is just dishonesty - plain and simple. As for the Australians having a better understanding of player abilities - I think that's a perfectly justifiable argument to make, given the media exposure and critical analysis offered in that country over a broad range of TV, radio and print. The kind we lack here because of the sport's limited appeal.

where is the hate??? I've never seen or heard anyone saying that they hate Flannery. /> I fully agree with most of the comments, he is the Australian equivalent of a Mike Bennett or Paul Clough - all clubs need that solid workhorse type of player, but whether that person should be an Aussie quota player is another matter. /> If he was British, definately extend his contract. As he is on quota I would rather get a better Aussie in in the backline or at prop, and use one of the many backrowers we already have in his place.

where is the hate??? I've never seen or heard anyone saying that they hate Flannery. /> I fully agree with most of the comments, he is the Australian equivalent of a Mike Bennett or Paul Clough - all clubs need that solid workhorse type of player, but whether that person should be an Aussie quota player is another matter. /> If he was British, definately extend his contract. As he is on quota I would rather get a better Aussie in in the backline or at prop, and use one of the many backrowers we already have in his place.