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So, who are the most deserving of the 2011 NRL Coach of the Year awards thus far? Which coaches have starred and which have disappointed?
Coach of the Year: Craig Bellamy (Storm).
The salary cap scandal forced “Bellyache” to lose Greg Inglis (Souths), Ryan Hoffman (Wigan), Brett Finch (Wigan), Jeff Lima (Wigan), Brett White (Canberra), Aiden Tolman (Canterbury), Willie Isa (Released), Luke MacDougall (Released), Sinbad Kali (Released), Hep Cahill (Released), Billy Rogers (Parramatta), Blake Leary (North Queensland) and Maipele Morseau (Newcastle)
He only gained journeymen Maurice Blair (Penrith), Troy Thompson (Canberra), Jaiman Lowe (Souths), Adam Woolnough and young Elijah Niko (New Zealand).
Not only has Bellamy guided the Storm to unbackable odds to win the minor premiership, they are also short-priced favourites to win the title after winning an amazing 16 games from 19 outings.
The Storm are the only team above plus-200 PD – and despite losing their three best players Smith, Slater and Cronk to the Origin, this is the first year they have gone through the series undefeated.
Coach of the Year runner-up: Anthony Griffin (Broncos).
The Broncos missed the semi-finals last year, but new coach “Hook” Griffin has done wonders with his team’s defence structure and they now loom as a final four contender.
Coach of the Year runner-up: Neil Henry (Cowboys).
Cowboys lost main recruit Brent Tate for most of the season and often had a makeshift backline, but still have managed to score more points than any team winning 13 from 19. The Cowboys have also won three times without their champion Thurston.
Worst Coach of the Year: John Cartwright (Titans).
The Titans won only four games from 19 and others teams suffered heavier injuries.
Worst Coach of the Year runner-up: David Furner (Raiders).
Without Campese, he was lost for a plan B and won only six from 19.
Worst Coach of the Year runner-up: Stephen Kearney (Eels).
Kearney has taken a lot of advice from Bennett and Bellamy, but none of it has helped him so far. Five wins from 19 games.
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