Flanagan's time not over at Belmore despite teen impressing

Cameron Ciraldo insists the immediate future of playmaker Kyle Flanagan remains at Belmore despite indicating he wants to see more of Matt Burton and Karl Oloapu as the side’s halves.

Flanagan played at hooker in NSW Cup on Sunday prior to the Bulldogs securing their fourth win of the NRL season with a gritty 18-16 victory over the Dragons.

Ciraldo left Flanagan out of his NRL side for the first time since taking over the club this season with reports surfacing the 24-year-old had played his final Bulldogs game and could be released to join his father Shane at the Sea Eagles.

“I know nothing about [the release] and Kyle rang me straight away, his phone was going off as well, and he just wanted to reassure me that there was nothing in it," Ciraldo said on Sunday night.

"Kyle had a tough week and it was a tough decision to not be in the team.

“He was really good all week and took it on the chin. There’s a weight of expectation on Kyle and it brings a lot of attention but he turned up to training with the right attitude and embraced a new position and played well today.”

Ciraldo though said he couldn't look past exploring the combination of Burton and Oloapu moving forward after promising signs in the victory.

The coach's call to play 18-year-old Oloapu off the bench paid dividends with the teenager making a line break early in his maiden game before playing out the final 48 minutes.

Veteran Bulldog Josh Reynolds also played his hand, starting the game alongside Burton in the halves before switching to the middle of the paddock later.

“I’m really happy for Karl that he got to have his debut and experience a win and a special one at that,” Ciraldo said.

“I thought he did pretty well tonight and I’m keen to keep exploring that with him.

“We were never going to throw him in for only one week. No matter what, he’s come here to come on a journey with us and we’re excited as to where that can go.

“He’s going to learn a lot out of tonight and we’ll help him through that process. It will be a rollercoaster for him but we’ve got a good club and people around to support him.

“That’s the first time Karl and Burto have ever played together so they’ll be rusty at times and they’ll get better with every training session and game they get but I enjoyed how the game went tonight.”