Chris Flannery (rugby league)
# Chris Flannery (rugby league)

Chris Flannery (born 5 June 1980) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s.

A Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he played his club football in the National Rugby League for the Sydney Roosters, with whom he won the 2002 NRL Premiership, and in the Super League for St. Helens, with whom he won the 2008 Challenge Cup.

Flannery's usual position was lock although he also played as a second-row, stand-off or centre. After retiring Flannery administered the Sunshine Coast Falcons of the Queensland Cup.

## Background

Born in Cowra, New South Wales, Flannery's family moved to the Sunshine Coast, Queensland when he was 10, where he played his junior rugby league for the Kawana Dolphins.

## Playing career

### National Rugby League

Flannery made his National Rugby League début for the Sydney Roosters in Round 14 of the 2000 NRL season against the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium on 7 May. He was first selected to play for Queensland in Game II of the 2002 State of Origin series at ANZ Stadium in Brisbane on 5 June. Queensland won 26–18.

Flannery played for the Roosters from the interchange bench in their 2002 NRL grand final victory over the New Zealand Warriors, scoring a try. Having won the 2002 NRL Premiership, the Roosters traveled to England to play the 2003 World Club Challenge against Super League champions, St. Helens. Flannery played at centre in Sydney's victory. He again played from the interchange bench for the Roosters in the 2003 NRL grand final which was lost to the Penrith Panthers.

Flannery played for Queensland in all three matches of the 2004 State of Origin series. He played for the Roosters at lock forward in their 2004 NRL grand final loss to cross-Sydney rivals, Canterbury-Bankstown.

### Super League

In 2007, Flannery signed for St. Helens on a three and a half-year deal. Flannery was brought in as a direct replacement for fellow Australian Jason Hooper who had to retire following problems with his shoulder. Flannery described himself as a hard worker and strong in defence. "I also like to add a bit to the ball playing by taking it up at first or second receiver. I also like to run good lines into holes." He commenced his Knowsley Road career in July, 2007, after recovering from a broken leg. He played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos.

He played in the 2009 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford.

## Post-playing

After returning to Australia, Flannery became chief executive of Queensland Cup team the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

## Footnotes

* ↑ "Meet the Teams First Team Players". web page. Saints RFC. 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
* ↑ RLP
* ↑ SL stats
* ↑ loverugbyleague
* ↑ "Player Profile". Saints. 3 July 2007. Retrieved 3 July 2007.
* ↑ "'We all like to think we started the streak, all the 2006 team'". QRL. 5 July 2020.
* ↑ "Saints sign Australian Flannery". BBC. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2007.
* ↑ "Saints Scoop Flannery". Saints. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2007.
* ↑ "Flannery - joined St Helens". Sportinglife. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2007.
* ↑ "Flannery full of anticipation". SaintsRLFC.com. 25 June 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2007.
* ↑ "2008 Grand Final". BBC. 4 October 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
* ↑ "Low maintenance Flanno is an asset to Saints squad". St Helens Star. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
* ↑ "Rhinos Take Super League Title". Sky News. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
* ↑ Burke, David (11 October 2009). "Smith's Crisp". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
* ↑ AFP (11 October 2009). "Leeds makes it Super League hat-trick". ABC News. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
* ↑ AAP (11 October 2009). "Leeds claim third successive Grand Final". nrl. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
* ↑ Linfoot, Ben (10 October 2009). "Grand Final: Leeds Rhinos 18 St Helens 10". Sky Sports. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
* ↑ Correspondent (12 October 2009). "Potter refuses to blame video ref". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
* ↑ Fletcher, Paul (10 October 2009). "St Helens 10-18 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
* ↑ "Third time unlucky as Saints fail to halt Rhinos' charge to title". Liverpool Daily Post. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
* ↑ "Sinfield hails winning culture". Daily Mirror. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
* ↑ Stewart, Rob (12 October 2009). "Lee Smith targets place in England rugby union team after Grand Final victory". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
* ↑ "Sinfield hails historic title win". BBC Sport. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
* ↑ "Leeds Rhinos fans in homecoming welcome". Yorkshire Evening Post. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
* ↑ Taylor, Steele (2 July 2014). "Falcons feeling confident about NRL club link". Sunshine Coast Daily. APN. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
