The mentor, who sat out 2014 on the back of the Sharks’ supplements saga, has extended his contract for two seasons which will keep him in the shire until the end of 2019.

The Sharks have been in arguably their best ever form this season after a club record 15 wins in a row which ended just a fortnight ago.

They currently sit in second spot and are making a serious charge at a maiden NRL Premiership.

 “The new contract and that I’ll be here another couple of years is reassuring but the club is heading in a great direction and I’m proud to be a part of it,” Flanagan said.

“We’ve had a successful season so far this year, but there is a lot of footy left to be played.”