Even if his father's future is still up in the air, Kyle Flanagan has re-signed with Cronulla until the end of the 2021 NRL season.
Flanagan on Tuesday agreed to a two-year contract extension as he this year eyed a spot in the Sharks' first-grade squad under his dad, coach Shane Flanagan.
Flanagan senior is off contract at the end of 2019 and is no guarantee to remain despite his strong desire to stay, sustained success and ties to the Sharks.
But that didn't stop Kyle, 20, putting pen to paper on a new contract.
"Being a local boy, I've grown up watching the Sharks and I've always wanted to play for the club," Flanagan said.
"I witnessed the grand-final victory and I'd like to think we can replicate the success of 2016 and I can be a part of that in the years to come.
"We have a core group of experienced players, Paul Gallen, Wade Graham, Josh Dugan, Andrew Fifita and others, who I'm looking forward to playing with and learning from, but I also want to be a part of the next generation.
"I want to become a leader at the club alongside close friends like Bronson Xerri and Blayke Brailey, who I've come through the junior system with here at the Sharks."
Flanagan made his NRL debut in the second-last round of the 2018 season against Newcastle but might make the permanent step up in 2019.
He is fighting it out with Chad Townsend to partner marquee recruit Shaun Johnson next year in the halves.
Flanagan last year set a national under-20s competition point-scoring record when he racked up 320 for the season - a mark which will never be broken due to the competition being disbanded.
After making the step up this year to senior football, he guided the Cronulla feeder side Newtown to the NSW Cup grand final.
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