Flannery set for final

Oct 11

Flannery: Ready

Chris Flannery is eager for a taste of the big occasion when St Helens meet Leeds in Saturday’s Super League Grand Final.

The back row forward missed the Saints’ Challenge Cup final victory over Catalans Dragons after joining the club too late to be involved.

But watching that Wembley triumph from the sidelines has given him added motivation for this weekend’s Old Trafford showpiece.

Flannery has been a key figure for Daniel Anderson’s side since moving to Knowsley Road from Sydney Roosters as a replacement for injured fellow Australian Jason Hooper.

Disappointment

“Over in Australia, you probably hear more about the Challenge Cup than the Grand Final and to be so close and not be able to play at Wembley was definitely a disappointment for me,” he said.

“I definitely want to take something out of this year. If I can go home at the end of this season with a Grand Final medal, it will be unbelievable so I’ll definitely give my all to do that.”

A Grand Final appearance was the last thought on Flannery’s mind back in February when he suffered an horrific injury in the Roosters’ first pre-season trial match, breaking both his leg and his ankle.

It was during his recuperation he was given the chance to realise his ambition of playing in England and, after signing a three-and-a-half-year contract, he has appeared in Saints’ last eight Super League matches.

He said: “I wanted to get over at some stage in my career and, although I still had another year to go at the Roosters, Jason Hooper’s injury provided a bit of an opening and I thought this was the right time and it definitely has been.

“I’ve had a few good games here. I’ve just been a little bit inconsistent and obviously next year I’m looking to be a bit more settled in the team.”

Yet to sample the unique atmosphere of a Challenge Cup final, the 27-year-old Flannery knows all about Grand Finals, having played in three for the Roosters.

“I won one and lost two so hopefully I can even up the leger,” he said.