Flanagan not surprised by Carney
February 04, 2012 17:44:04 UK
After watching Todd Carney's successful debut against Manly Sea Eagles on Friday in a pre-season friendly match, Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan said that the impressive start of his controversial new signing doesn't surprise him at all.
He's a quality player.
Shane Flanagan
Carney, whose ailing NRL career was resurrected by the Sharks when they signed him late last year, was on fire against Manly in his first match for his new club. Due to his heavy contribution on the field, Cronulla were able to hand Manly a 38-6 loss yesterday.
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Before Friday's game, the 25-year old playmaker had last played an NRL-level match almost six months ago. But he is such a naturally talented player that he didn't require any settling period at all, and while it may have been a shock to some, the Sharks boss was already aware of that.
Sydney Roosters are 51.00 to win the 2012 NRL Grand Final, while Manly Sea Eagles are 5.50 to emerge victorious.
In the post-match interview, Flanagan said: "He's a quality player and what I've seen at training over the last couple of months, he just showed a little bit of that today.
"He's got real good speed, he controlled the game, turned players under and kept getting to field positions that he wanted to kick from, and then when the opportunity arises he drives the nail in."
"He's a quality player and as I've said a lot of times, I'm glad we got him.
"I wasn't real surprised with how he went. I wouldn't have expected him to grab those tries but I've seen him obviously at training and he's been doing a good job, he's got his head in the right space at the moment and I've just got to keep him there," he added.
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