Cronulla captain Wade Graham is tipping it’s only a matter of time before Shane Flanagan is back in an NRL head coaching role.

The Sharks will face their premiership-winning mentor for the first time this Sunday when they face struggling St George Illawarra at Campbelltown Stadium.

Flanagan is currently working as an assistant to under-siege Dragons coach Paul MacGregor.

Suggestions Flanagan’s ban on becoming an NRL head coach until 2022 after violating the rules of a previous suspension could be reduced have been quashed by ARLC chairman Peter V’landys.

The announcement came amid speculation the Dragons were looking to promote Flanagan if they parted ways with MacGregor.

Despite the insistence the ban will run its course, Graham doesn’t think that will prevent the man he played under during the Sharks 2016 grand final triumph finding a job.

“For sure that’s in his future, a head coaching role,” Graham said.

“Obviously it’s a very coveted position, there’s only 16 of them in Australia.

“He’s shown in the past that he can do the job and I’ve no doubt that if he stays on track, he’ll find himself in that position again.

“When and where? You never know but I’m sure he’ll be keen to get into that head coaching role.”

Graham admitted he hadn’t thought too much about being on the opposition to Flanagan this weekend but expected to engage in some pre-game banter.

“There might be a few texts going back and forth late in the week,” the backrower said.

“I get along great with Flanno.

“Obviously a highly influential person in my career. A lot of great memories at the Sharks, a lot of good memories for our football.

“A lot of tough times we endured and certainly have a great relationship with him.”