Two of Australia’s most successful sporting coaches, Mal Meninga and Mick Malthouse, find themselves in the unenviable position of being extremely successful, yet still struggling to gain the full respect that each deserves.
Coaches are judged quickly and ruthlessly when they lose, and yet, in Meninga and Malthouse, we have two examples of coaches that are extremely adept at winning, but it doesn’t seem to be enough for certain people.
Whilst the individual scenarios are vastly different, including the way in which both are disrespected, the two coaches are nonetheless linked by the extraordinary situation that each finds themselves in.
State of Origin football is the highest quality of rugby league. Until recently, it was also the most even. Yet the series, the pinnacle of any football code in Australia, has been somewhat one-sided in recent times.
The Queensland Maroons have won the last six series in a row, and Mal Meniniga has presided over each and every one of them.
But for varying reasons, there are many critics, primarily in NSW, who are quick to dismiss Meninga’s record, and instead credit Queensland’s success to the incredible collection of talent the Maroons have in their ranks.
The general sentiment of the anti-Meninga brigade is that Big Mal isn’t a great tactical coach, but instead, merely a very good manger of great players.
Such nonsense begs the question, what exactly is a great coach?
Surely it’s one that wins? Coaches should be judged on victories and nothing else. They’re certainly judged on their losses, as any sacked coach can attest to.
One of the criticisms often laid out at Meninga is that he simply let’s his great players be great. It’s totally naive to believe that’s all Meninga does, but even if it was true, isn’t that a form of coaching in itself? How many times have we seen talent-laden teams not been successful?
Sometimes a coach can over-complicate things and simply get in the way of greatness.
Whilst it’s true that Mal has been fortunate to have world-class players at his disposal, there have been many coaches around the globe, in every sport, that have failed to win despite having the best players in their team. Mal has gotten the very best out of his Queensland sides, and he deserves a lot of credit for winning consistently at the highest standard of rugby league.
Great coaches have many qualities and abilities, of which tactical nous is just one. Do you think Queensland would prefer a coach who is brilliant strategically, but either doesn’t have the respect of the players, or has no discipline, or has terrible people skills, and therefore can’t get the best out of their players?
Meninga played 32 games for Queensland, so he certainly knows what is required in State of Origin football, and his lack of ego means that he more than happy to bring in attack and defence experts to help him out, along with inviting past Origin players into camp to motivate his troops.
Some so-called experts mistakenly assume that this means Meninga can’t actually coach, but sometimes asking for help is the best form of coaching there is.
Not giving Meninga credit for winning 6 series in a row because he’s been in charge of a great team also conveniently overlooks the fact that numerous players in the Queensland team in 2006 were not superstars at that point in time.
Many of those Maroons players were yet to be the household names they are now, and Queensland were not favoured to win the series. The 2006 series victory was a great coaching effort. As has every subsequent series victory.
In many ways, Meninga can be credited with making this Queensland team great, and then keeping them great.
Any way you look at it, Meninga deserves respect.
Mick Malthouse’s circumstances at Collingwood are completely different, yet he is facing elements of disrespect himself.
In one of the strangest situations I can ever recall, Malthouse and the Magpies won the premiership last year, and are favourites to win it again this year, yet Malthouse will not be the head coach at Collingwood next season, despite the fact he wants to be.
To fully understand the situation at Collingwood, we need to rewind three years, to when the North Melbourne Kangaroos were chasing the services of Collingwood assistant coach, and all-time club great, Nathan Buckley.
Collingwood boss Eddie McGuire faced a perplexing issue in having the services of what he felt were two great head coaches. Albeit, one that already was great, and one that was deemed to be potentially great.
McGuire’s problem was simple in its description, complex in its solving: two coaches, but only one job.
Somehow, Eddie Everywhere managed to keep both, with everyone agreeing to a ‘succession plan’ that would see Malthouse coach for a further three years, whilst mentoring Buckley, and then hand over the reins after the 2011 season.
At that point, Malthouse would then take up a Director of Coaching position at the club. What exactly that role would entail wasn’t quite clear, but everyone seemed happy with that outcome.
As so often happens with plans, they seem fine at their inception, but now that the time of handover is nearly upon us, Malthouse has asked for clarification on what his role will be for next year.
McGuire steadfastly stuck to the line that he and the club knew what they were doing, but it seems that wasn’t exactly accurate. Malthouse has reportedly met with McGuire twice to discuss next year, but they are yet to reach an agreement.
For a coach of Malthouse’s stature and ability to still not know what his responsibilities will be next season is disgraceful.
Malthouse knew the details of the ‘succession plan’, so no one is suggesting that he is holding out to remain the head coach. But the fact remains that it would be a waste of his talents to have him doing anything but being a senior coach.
Meanwhile, Buckley, quite rightfully, believes he signed a contract three years ago in good faith, under the proviso that he would get the top job.
So it appears that Collingwood are swapping a great and successful coach, who is keen to keep coaching, with a coach that ‘might’ be great. And they’ve kept the established great coach under contract, without actually knowing what his role will be.
It would be a complete shock if the Pies didn’t win the flag again this year, which will only make the bizarre situation worse. It all seems extremely disrespectful to Malthouse.
Meninga has won 6 State of Origin series in a row, and Malthouse will probably win two flags in a row. Yet they’re still battling for respect.
Why would anyone be a coach?
amazonfan
Roar Guru
I see him very much as a Hawthorn man, much more so than a Collingwood man. In fact I don't think of him as a Collingwood man at all. I think he was a better player than coach (arguably the greatest ever player versus being an all-time great coach) and when I don't think of him as a Hawthorn player, I think of him as a Brisbane coach.
Ryan
Guest
QLD won origin in spite of Meninga not because of him. I bucket of KFC could do his job, if you call it a job i.e. doing nothing.
Ken
Guest
I've experienced 115 000 a couple of times in Sydney, once from the field and that was pretty cool. Of course after the re-dev ANZ only holds 80k but it's still 'something to behold'.
Ken
Guest
Well, I did say Meninga's outburst outdid everything Ricky said 'all year'. But let's take a look: - The accusations were more even more ridiculous than Ricky's - Against far more people - it was committed in national print days after the event rather than verbally in a chance meeting between 2 individuals 12 hours after the game. - Oh, and Ricky had actually lost, where this is part of Mal's victory routine! So yeah, if you want to frame the question then I think Meninga's outburst was worse than Ricky's from 3 years ago - it also came off as slightly deranged and lacking in reality - I really think someone needs to check on the big guy
ging
Guest
I agree 100% they just cannot accept that queenslander are the are the best ,they been trying to win for six years.They should give up ,six origin is hard to catch .Proud to be a queenslander thank you
Redb
Roar Guru
There is not a stadium in the land that holds 100,000 or reguarly gets over 50,000 like the MCG. The roar of 80 or 90,000 fans is something to behold.
roarlover34
Roar Pro
couldn't have put it better myself apaway
roarlover34
Roar Pro
I don't think Meninga deserves repect. To receive respect you have to give it. Two cases: 1. Jose Mourinho is a manger with one of the best resumes in the game, yet his stupid rants, arrogance and tactics cause many to disrespect him. 2. Ange Postecoglou is one of the most repected and loved coaches in Australia at the moment. He treats every opponent with respect despite his highflying team and was humble in every interview despite the Roar's incredible achievements under his guidance this year. That is why he is respected. Mal Meninga however has spent much of his tenure whinging to referees, complaining about his media treatment and now a bizarre rant directed at seemingly every rugby league person south of the border. That is why i don't respect him, and i'm a Queenslander, so i can imagine the firm hatred he has built for himself down south now. As for Malthouse, well i don't follow the game much so i can't comment.
Seano
Guest
This is rubbish!! Malthouse has heaps of respect that's why many clubs are after him! As for meninga he was a crap coach at NRL level and coaching 3 games a year compared with a whole season it completely different! Great coaches win premierships they should be judged on that only, hence mal is not great just like Rodney ease and smith at the roosters lots of wins but no flags! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
mushi
Roar Guru
Also one comeptitive run...like when the finished 3rd? Or when they finished 4th? Sure he didn't win it with them but he won more games than he lost. Very tough marker to not categorise that as competitive.
mushi
Roar Guru
Really you think what Mal did is worse than verbally attacking a referee in public the next day
michael
Guest
well said
The Bush
Roar Guru
Really? I think it is one of the more witty things oikee has said. Were you aware of Big Mal's comments?
Stevo
Guest
Most of the articles appearing in one of the Sydney papers in the week before origin were bordering on the ridiculous. One day it's Queensland cheat, then their coach can't coach, then they're dodgy, having sympathetic referees. And then when they lose, the ref was a bit dodgy, and all of a sudden Queensland are a super team who are just blessed with talent and just turn up to win. After that, I can understand why he might have a go, they've been insinuating all week he's a crap coach and Queensland only win because of the refs and unnaturally good talent, not because they play well. Some of Mal's criticisms were unfounded, or struck a blow wider than the actual target, and I've no problem people calling him up on that. But the media treatment, and some of Gallen's post-game comments, did require some comment.
Todd Slater
Guest
Mal has mortein in his hand & stand back. Great to see the 'filth & vermin' get a spray. Bring on the tee shirt i say. What a great coach. Artie Beetson, Bennett & now Mal greatest origin coaches of all time, including Gus (who won't make a comeback because he knows he hasn't got the cattle to beat Qld despite his histrionics in print & tv)
Johnno
Guest
I have not seen any NRL teams jump at the chance to sign Big Mal or Stuart, they clearly don't hold these coaches in such high regard unlike the NSW and QLD state of origin teams do.
Matt F
Guest
I don't know if it would take him 10 years. A struggling club would take at least 5 years you would think but there are some other potential alternatives. If the Blues or the Hawks go on a losing streak, fall into 5-8 and are bundled out of the finals quickly there may be an opportunity there. The Hawks look fine and with their injuries you'd think Clarkson is odds on for an extension but the Blues have hit a bit of a rough patch. They could easily be out of the top 4 next week if they lose to Collingwood and WC win. They also have to have another bye whilst WC have already had their 2 so effectively have a game in hand. They said Ratten needed to win a final to be safe so it's still possible he could be out. Melbourne have the talent but the question is Bailey going to get it out of them? They have enough talented young players (if Scully stays) to be a threat in the next 2-5 years even with GC and GWS assuming a coach can make them realise their potential. I was probably a bit hasty with the “jump at the chance to coach another club” line though. He would obviously want to win another premiership if he moved clubs so maybe "he'd jump at the chance to coach another club who could take a flag in the next 5 years" would have been a better line ;)
soapit
Guest
"My elderly mum could’ve coached QLD to their 6" - well mals carrying on like an old woman at the moment so maybe your mums signed up in some kind of swap.
apaway
Guest
Well put, Ryan. You wrote that Meninga has "presided over" Queensland's Origin dominance. However, evidence would suggest that the real coaching was done by his large support team, including Neil Henry and Michael Hagan. It seemed strange when Meninga was shown on TV at half-time of Game 2 not saying a thing to the Qld players and while it probably got taken out of context, it simply added weight to the argument that Meninga is a figurehead at Queensland. And his post-series rant was about as embarrassing as his aborted political career.
soapit
Guest
try it one more time mate. you got pretty close that time.