For their efforts in the 2011 season, I will be giving the following awards to the different coaches in the NRL.
Best CEO of the Year – Paul White, Broncos
Former policeman Paul White, for sacking his coach Ivan Henjak and hiring the unknown Anthony Griffin, who has taken the baby Broncos to genuine, title-contenders.
Best CEO of the Year runner-up – Peter Joudain, Cowboys
Since the appointment News Limited’s former Company Secretary and Business Development Manager, Peter Joudain, last September, the Cowboys have been a happy outfit and the results have shown on the field.
Joint Worst CEO of the Year – Michael Searle, Titans
For re-signing coach John Cartwright to a five-year contract until 2016. The Titans are odds on to finish last and are the only team over a -200 points for and against this year.
Joint Worst CEO of the Year – Don Furner Jr.
For extending his brother’s contract for a further two years to 2014, and for signing the 33-year old Matt Orford, when injured and out of form.
Worst CEO of the Year, runner-up – Paul Osborne
For paying $500k for Chris Sandow, when the Eels need an organiser and not another individualist who cannot tackle (missed 10 last week).
Worst CEO of the Year, runner-up – Shane Richardson
Richo has completed the hat-trick, appointing failed coaches Shaun McRae, Jason Taylor and John Lang.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I thought that exact same thing when I heard him on the radio the other day. It was uncanny.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
GAZ Agree, he looks switched on
Gaz
Guest
Scott. Remember though, when White was making the gutsy call to remove Henjak he was under the impression Wayne was on the way back. Bennett of course changed course for the big money. He may well have given Griffin the leg up he needed because he has made every post a winner since jumping off the blocks. Most impressed with the way he rested the origin boys and this may be proven a real gem in the coming weeks. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
bilbo When Laffranchi played right 2nd row for the Tits he was the leading try scoring forward in the NRL. Since he has played prop he has been useless. Noticed they moved him back this week. I am a Friend fan but let me say Srama looks a future rep player to me. He could be anything.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Chris You clearly have never run a company or a business. The 'C" in CEO means Chief which also means the buck stops with him. He is the man most resposible for how the operation goes and if one of his managers stuffs up it is his job to replace him and get it right. Clearly many people are involved but the guy that own the problem is the CEO. But Chris you are entitled to your opinion as the buck here stops with The Roar.
bilbo
Guest
Laffranchi won a premiership as a prop. But Carty has had no answer this year for anything - and he has had the cattle. I think the big mistake was getting rid of Friend - the way Searle handled this was a mistake.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
bilbo They lost Lockyer late last year. All that aside, it is well known from those close to the club that Ivan was a dictator and had poor commmunication skills with his players. He had to go and well done to White for making a gutsy call when few would have.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
bilbo Cartwright showed me last year that he has little idea with his coaching in the semis. I was blown away with some of the positional changes he made and he has still got it wrong this year especially with the keys 1 and 6. Also playing Laffranchi as a prop is laughable. I place a lot of emphasis on defence structure and it does not exist at the Titans. How a CEO could see this and then offer the man resposible a 5 year contract is crazy.
Dave
Guest
The Tigers guy is a fool, he totally messed up the game splits and has moved Friday nights game to the SFS.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
apa True he does and he has copied many of his coaching techniques as he should. Bennett, like me rate him.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
turbo He has had 3 cracks. How many more chances does he get b4 the penny drops.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
turbo Its not what you know its who u know .....brotherly love is hard to beat.
bilbo
Guest
I know that the Sydney press love him, but even though his team isnt performing I have to give Todd Grenberg a hand. He is running the most financially secure Sydney club, and has raised their reputation - and their crowds. They are averaging around 23k this year - which is more than the Waratahs and slightly less than the Swans. And all from ANZ stadium. If they start performing, they will pull crowds to rival the Broncos. The other notable mention is the Wests bloke - they have the perfect model of playing some games at the SFS, SCG and some at their traditional grounds - a good mix of tradition and financial sense. Have to say that Searle going overseas for three months might not have been the best decision during the season - but every club has their rough patch. Searle's great legacy from this year will be the formation of the independent commission.
apaway
Guest
Anthony Griffin was being interviewed on TV the other evening and I was in an adjoining room. I missed the start but listened to his voice and realised he sounds EXACTLY like Wayne Bennett. Couldn't be a better start than that.
bilbo
Guest
The team was the same last year - Folau for Hodges but otherwise the same. The late season fade out in 2010 is a by-product of blooding young talent. Maybe Henjak wouldnt have done so well this year, maybe the club is riding high on Lockyer's farewell, we will never know, but last year was a rebuilding year that the team had to have. Anyway, these things are purely speculative, and full credit to Hook for putting them back near the top of the table.
Chris
Guest
Why does Richardson need to do this? Shouldn't this be up to the coach and/or recruitment manager? This whole article is a crock - you're judging CEOs for the on-field performance of the team. Perhaps you'll be blaming/lauding coaches for the financial position of clubs?
turbodewd
Guest
RE: Souths's Shane Richardson - I dont believe this guy is totally at fault. I believe Crowe is unwittingly breeding a culture of lazyness by pampering his players rather than instilling sergeant major discipline. I wonder how 'hands on' Crowe is. Hopefully not much at all. Richardson needs to hire an authoritative veteran half to get the lazy Rabbitohs into gear.
turbodewd
Guest
Scott, good article. I agree with all of your summations. Im a Raiders man and Furner has not shown any growth in his position. A smart coach learns all the time, Furner is a dud. His team only performs when the pressure is off, i.e they are out of contention. They have been unlucky with some injuries, but I think previous winning efforts have come from the players up. While Wayne Bennet wins come from the top down to the players. Familiarity breeds contempt, the Raiders need a non-Canberra person as a coach.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
josho The jury is out on Flanagan for me so far but to be honest I like a lot of things he has done and there is no doubt he has the Sharks going better than when he took over from the rabble Ricky left him. Give him some slack.
josho
Guest
Cronulla have extended Flanagan's contract after some abysmal efforts by the Sharks and even worse recruitment/retention decisions which the club will be paying for in 2012. Of course Cronulla aren't elligible for this award because they do not have a CEO......or a full time recruitment officer, but that's ok. That new club model is the way of he future, the other 15 clubs are clearly light years behind Cronulla in that department...Irvine says so and the fans eat it up with a spoon.