Former Cooma Colts Rugby League player Stuart Flanagan played his debut first grade match for the Cronulla Sharks against the Rabbitohs on Monday night but the game was not the fairytale debut he would have hoped for.
Despite a gutsy 30-minute effort from the hooker, Flanagan could not help his team to a win avoiding a 13 game losing streak.
The Sharks were defeated 30 points to 8 by the Rabbitohs, leaving the Sharks winnless since June last year.
Flanagans stepfather Glenn Grumley said Flanagan’s first time on the field for the Sharks showed positive signs for the young footballer’s career.
“He got a couple of quick breaks from dummy half- trying to get some go forward.”
Mr Grumley said Flanagan was as happy as he could be with his performance under the circumstances.
After the game Ricky Stuart told Flanagan’s stepfather and mother their son had a promising future.
“Ricky Stuart told us he is a fine young man with a promising rugby league career,” Mr Grumley said.
This is the 22-year-old’s first season with the Sharks after leaving the Canberra Raiders at the end of last year one year into a three year contract.
The Sharks head into the fourth round of the NRL competition sitting at last place on the ladder.
They will face Parramatta, who are 13th on the ladder, at Toyota Park this Saturday where they will try to break their run of poor form.
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