For a man very much under the pump, Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney cannot be accused of letting the pressure of the Eels’ miserable start to the NRL season get to him.
The 39-year-old, widely recognised as one of the good guys of the NRL, has remained a calm figure despite his side’s 0-3 start to the season – which places them at the bottom of the table as the only team without a win.
However, he’s found himself regularly batting away questions about his future and explaining why the Eels are struggling under his leadership, ahead of Friday night’s western Sydney derby with Penrith.
Under Kearney, Paramatta have got off to their worst start to a season since 1991, when they lost their opening seven fixtures.
And his record of winning just six games from 27 since his arrival last year gives more ammunition to his critics who say he’s not the man for the job.
The former Kiwi Test star refused to be drawn on whether he was aware of the problems he would face when he was offered the job, but admits they’re far bigger than he first imagined.
“I didn’t know it was going to be as big a task as this,” Kearney said.
“Not until you are in the role can you see how a club operates.
“Coming in there was a great deal to fix up and that’s the plan I am on.
“We’ve turned over a number of players in 12 months and it’s a process the fans have to be patient with.
“I know they don’t want to hear that, but we’re desperate to make things up to them.”
One of things Kearney is fixing up is the club’s recruitment policy, which has been the biggest frustration to Eels supporters.
Seven former Eels juniors, allowed to leave the club, scored 11 tries between them in round three, vindicating Kearney’s decision to axe the club’s recruitment team and bring in the well-respected Peter Nolan from Brisbane.
But despite all of Kearney’s off-field planning, it’s the team’s fortunes on the field that will keep the wolves at bay.
Last Saturday’s 42-6 surrender to North Queensland was described by Kearney as unacceptable and said his players owed it to their supporters to put things right against local rivals Penrith.
“I’m very mindful that there’s been some big changes at the footy club over the last 12-14 months,” he said.
“I understand it’s going to be a process, but last Saturday was unacceptable.
“I was very annoyed, for our fans, our club, because it is not what we’re about. Friday is an opportunity to stand up and show what the Parramatta jumper means.”
Defeat to Ivan Cleary’s team would intensify the pressure on Kearney, but he maintains he won’t let the speculation get to him.
“They (the board) are the ones who make the decisions,” he said.
“The rumours are not started by us, and all I can do is prepare the team as best I can and I just worry about that.”
Parramatta have been boosted by the return of prop Fuifui Moimoi from a knee injury and will give a late fitness test to fullback Jarryd Hayne, who has been sidelined with a similar problem.
Jeff McGinn
Guest
Good advice..
Jeff McGinn
Guest
Raiders have had a couple of horrible seasons.. but, they stuck with a youth policy and seeing their performance tonight - albeit against a 'shadow' of a team, the plan is starting to work. From where the Eels are now. they have a similar decision to make, Continue with 35 yr olds or 'blood' new players, -- Or replace the coach every two years and just keep reinventing the wheel. -- Still I am enjoying seeing their demise.. I was one of many a Storm supporters that got spat at on their ground.just after the rorting came to light! . Revenge is sweet!. thanks Steve, they probably spat at you too!.
SaveSK
Guest
Kearney will probably be relieved if he gets the sack. It will take a near miracle to turn this team around if things don't change from the inside out. This is not a problem that a coach can fix as the issues are deeper than purely player skill, strategy and attitude and all the things that a coach 'coaches'. I say SK get out of there while you can if you want to have a long coaching career. Wipe your feet and leave them to self implode.
Clean Up
Guest
I can only cite what happened at the Hurricanes in 2011 as evidence that a team can turn around, same coach, but a change of players and therefore a change of culture. Hammett was nearly lynched by angry fans for letting go people like Weepu but sometimes when there's a culture clash, you just need to get in some new blood and start fresh. Letting go of excellent junior players is lunacy. Look at the depth of most clubs out there. If their 1st team players aren't up to scratch or get injured, they've got players waiting in the wings that can step up to the mark. Eels need some depth in their upcoming players. Unfortunately this might not win them the championship in 2012 or even 2013 but a quick fix in sacking the coach is not going to resolve the rot at the core of the Eels. It's going to take a few seasons to iron out the mess... fans need to be patient. And if you can't be patient and get in behind the team, then go support someone else.
Charles
Guest
Shaamus hit the nail on the head when he mentioned the Parramatta Board needs to be sacked! When you have the calibre of coaches sacked and in such a short time, there is your problem! Now they are talking about letting a lot od their senior players go such as Hindmarsh, who did 52 tackels on the weekend! Thank you very much for all the hard work you have put in over many years but we don't need you any more, goodbye! Hoping all these young players will pull them out of the fire will take a few years if they do! This indicates to me they have lost the plot! In the latter years they have expected players like Jarrod Hayne to wave their magic wand! Instead they should be looking at the core of the problem and that is to create a team that plays like a team! If I was the coach I would put Hayne and Hindmarsh off for a few weeks so they have to learn to do without them or sink! If you look at history it always happens, when a team relies on individuals, they never do well, eventually they fall apart!
gleeso
Guest
Katzila, you are right the problems go deeper than Kearney. But that is not to say Kearney is a symtpom of bigger problems.But it is unfair to say Parra has been through 5 top coaches. There have been two horrible decisions made by the board in relation to coaches. The first was the appointment of Hagan above Taylor (or at all), the other was the firing of Anderson for Kearney. When you talk about Kearneys credentials could you expand. To me he brings no head coach credentials.
Shaamus
Guest
This is Parramatta's biggest problem. They have a player out there on 500k a year touching the ball only when he wants to kick and when the team got down 10m from the tryline. I am talking about Chris Sandow. The kid should never have been paid this much. Rabbitohs will be laughing now cause they got rid of him. He plays for himself and himself only. You parra fans wanna live in denial and not accept that Sandow is your first problem well this is what you will do. Jump on NRL.com then watch the game again and count how many times Sandow and Walsh touch the ball then see what I'm talking about. A halfback is meant to take control of the game and he is just kicking back enjoying the pay day. Second problem. The board of Parramatta need to be shot right now and sacked on the spot. They expect success right away. Look at what they did to Brian Smith then Michael Hagan followed by Daniel Anderson who took they to GF in 09 only to be shown the door by the end of 2010. This club is a joke. Only Rabbitohs have sacked more coaches then the Eels but at least for them they have gotten in nearly right since they took Jason Taylor. The board needs to do a favor and step aside. I read in the Rugby League week that Brett Kenny has washed his hands on the club. No wonder why. And he is a icon to Parramatta. What does that say? Third problem. All fans, supporters and whoever you wanna call yourself wanna carry on like a girl that Kearney isn't the man for the job. Please explain how he is the coach of Kiwi's who won the World Cup then followed that up with the Four Nations in 10. Do some research first before you complain. I am a massive fan of Kearney and his approach. You put him in charge of any club and he would be doing better. Just look at the players they have. The recruitment team has been sacked for a reason. On paper there team looks like rubbish and you all wonder why they are sitting at the bottom. Problems are only going to get worse when Hayne comes back because the team is going to put so much pressure on his shoulders and it will only affect his game and burn him out. My line up for the next game should be as followed considering Hayne is right to play: Hayne Atkins Burt Tonga Blair Roberts Sandow Mannah McGuire Moi Moi Hindmarsh Horo Maitua Keating Allgood Lasalo Shackleton Burt needs to be closer to the action, Moi Moi needs to start and can't understand why he isn't. Horo needs to be in the team and so does Shackleton. When McGuire was on Parra actually moved forward for once.
Jeff McGinn
Guest
Come back to Storm Steven. too much politics in Eels country they have now destroyed five TOP coaches on the trot!.. Geez it's good to see their fans suffering after the way they paid out on our boys and fans a coupla years ago, maybe Kearney is getting his own back... LOL. Don't ya just love a bt of Karma...
katzilla
Roar Guru
Thats the wrong direction. Paramattas problems have been around a lot longer then Kearney. He may not be the right person to coach them but Paramattas issues go deeper then Kearney, and his time with them shouldn't be seen as a blight on his credentials. The major problem i see with Paramatta is the over rating and therefore over reliance on Hayne, fair enough if he was a consistent producer of great plays like Slater, but Para needs at least 2 game breakers in the trifecta areas of 6-7-1. Hayne just isn't that good, and Roberts is a journeyman at best. Kearney can't be blamed for the remnants of a poor recuitment strategy. Hopefully they pick up an exciting young Fullback and push Hayne back to the wing or even into the centres, Gerard Beale would be a good start. The only coach i could imagine turning around such a poor team is the obvious, but only because he automatically comes with a gaggle of players who follow him in crucial positions.
brad.hayes
Guest
6 from 27 the guy has no idea and neither do the clowns who hired this excuse of a coach
pathetic
Guest
Most disgraceful 80mins of football i have watched. Kearney has to go - just look at the players, there is obviously disharmony at the club and fingers are all pointing in one direction...
gleeso
Guest
Kearney needs to be told that he is rugby leagues worst enemy. The brand of Rugby League he has promoted so far in his coaching career is nothing short of ground emptying. He is proving that a team can complete at 80% and still get hammered. You need to also actually try to do something with that possession.