- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Canberra chairman John McIntyre denies NRL coach David Furner has been given an ultimatum to perform or perish, but warns another below-par season will not be tolerated.
Presented with the findings of a review into the club’s operations, instigated after a season in which the Raiders only avoided the wooden spoon on points differential, McIntyre rejected claims Furner was under pressure from the board to keep his job.
“I think David gives himself his ultimatum – certainly there’s no ultimatum from the board,” McIntyre told reporters.
“David Furner’s always been looked up on as a long term coach.
“I walked down the steps in the back office (at the Raiders headquarters) and I couldn’t help but notice the photos of the past coaches – I’m sure David Furner doesn’t want to see his photo up there in that gallery at least for another few years.”
Despite re-signing with the club through to the end of 2014 earlier this year, Furner’s position was thought to be in some jeopardy after his side failed to match expectations in 2011.
After storming into the second week of the finals in 2010, the young Raiders side was expected to challenge for the premiership this season, but instead spent much of the season near the bottom of the ladder.
While he declared there was no pressure on Furner from the board, he admitted they would not stand for another season of under-achievement.
“Certainly it would be very, very hard for the board to tolerate a repetition of this year’s unfortunate results,” McIntyre said.
The review, undertaken by ex-Newcastle and Parramatta coach Michael Hagan and consultant John Waser, handed down a list of recommendations, the most significant being the appointment of former Hull KR coach Justin Morgan as Furner’s new right-hand man.
The Raiders will also establish a high performance unit to be headed up by former Toyota Cup coach David Hamilton, with Andrew Dunemann the new man in charge of the under 20s side.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.