Maroons star Valentine Holmes admits 2024 has been tough but is grateful his former premiership-winning mentor Shane Flanagan has given him a chance at redemption.
The 29-year-old was contracted to the Cowboys for 2025 in a back-ended deal worth around $1 million but has jagged a three-year deal with the Dragons, which sees him reunite with Flanagan who got the best out of him on the way to Cronulla’s 2016 drought-breaking premiership.
But the Queensland centre has endured a patchy year and with North Queensland young guns such as emerging teenage weapon Jaxon Purdue snapping at his heels, the move could be the best for everyone.
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“Obviously I thought I was in a position to try to stay,” Holmes told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I probably haven’t had my best year this year, but I didn’t think I could be up and leaving with a year left on my contract.
“There’s obviously more to it: the salary cap problem, with my contract back-ended. They’ve got a lot of young players coming through that they don’t want to lose.
“There’s nothing personal. You need to sacrifice one to sign a few more boys coming through. It’s good, I don’t want to keep anyone from making their debuts or having to move at a young age. It’s business. As long as I’m going to a club that wants me, I’m excited by it.”
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Holmes is the latest in a string of astute signings including former Blues and Kangaroos hooker Damien Cook as Flanagan builds a side using a similar blueprint that delivered the Sharks their maiden premiership.
The pair’s undeniable bond was exemplified by Flanagan’s mid-week heroics which saw him fly to from Sydney to Townsville and back again within a day, no mean feat considering the limited direct flights and the coach’s day-to-day responsibilities.
“It’s pretty cool, I’ve never been in a situation like this where this type of thing can happen to you,” Holmes said.
“To Flanno’s credit, to come up here when he had a big game that week, to talk to my wife and I, I thought it was pretty cool. Obviously it worked in the end.
“He convinced my partner, who was probably the one he needed to convince. As players, we get on with our teammates anywhere you go, but it’s the partners who need to be comfortable and happy to up and leave again. I thought he did a good job.”
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