Beefed-up Kyle Flanagan has clear goal in mind for 2025

A beefed-up Kyle Flanagan plans to add almost 10 per cent to his body weight for 2025, after taking out his end-of-season frustrations in the gym.

Flanagan was forced to watch on as St George Illawarra fell out of this year's top-eight race, while he was serving a season-ending four-game NRL ban for biting.

That incident is likely to become a headline again in the lead up to next season, with Flanagan to return from his suspension in round one against Canterbury.

The Dragons playmaker finished the season weighing in at 83kg, but has already added 10kg of weight and plans to start round one at around 90kg.

The five-eighth hopes that will make his running game more of a threat, after a heavy off-season in the gym.

"I'm 26 now, I like to think that I'm almost fully developed in my body and getting to the peak and the ideal weight and strength I want to play at," Flanagan said. "I put a lot of work in the off-season, and I was definitely motivated by the way last year finished. "You get the reps in, in the gym and on the training field in the off-season and I've gone away and that's what I've done.

"I probably pride myself on my defence, so the next part of my game is the attacking side of it, so that is going to play a part in that."

There has been another significant change this off-season.

Flanagan has lost Ben Hunt as his halves partner and mentor, after the No.7's very public and prolonged split with the Dragons.

Lachlan Ilias has arrived, but the pair will be unable to begin training together until close to the new year given the incoming half's recovery from a broken leg.

"It could make it a little bit tricky," Flanagan admitted.

"But just walking around on the field together and talking about what he does in different scenarios, we can definitely do that. "Spending time together away from the footy field is pretty important also. Picking his brain and watch video together and work out how we want to work things."

Flanagan said he would also have no issue reaching out to Hunt for further advice, despite the 34-year-old's move to Brisbane.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, who is Kyle's father, and Hunt both played down suggestions of a rift between the pair, in the lead up to the veteran's exit.

"He's definitely a mentor and a mate of mine and will continue to be," Flanagan Jnr said.

"He's definitely played a big part in my career.

"I loved playing alongside him and he taught me so much and I'll be forever grateful."