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You may recall my article back in August, suggesting that Craig Bellamy and Brian Smith would swap clubs in 2013.
Considering the fact that both coaches were contracted for the next 12 months, you may have thought it an outlandish statement, but yesterday’s sacking of Smith has opened the door for Mr Bellamy to start looking at real estate in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.
Bookies have already installed the Roosters’ Toyota Cup coach Jason Taylor as the odds-on favourite to replace Smith as head coach next year.
They have listed some 19 possible candidates, but have probably missed the two names that club chairman Nick Politis would most like to see carrying the clipboard at Moore Park next season.
There is little doubt that Craig Bellamy should be the first choice, though he is unlikely to give next year any thought until the Storm have completed their 2012 season. Bellamy is currently committed to another season in Melbourne, but if he asked for a release it could be granted.
If Nick Politis cannot coax Bellamy to Bondi, then Plan B is likely to be the Roosters’ former assistant coach Trent Robinson, who has taken Super League club the Catalans Dragons from the cellar to the finals in his very first year.
Robinson worked under Brian Smith as his defensive coach when the Roosters made it to the grand final two years ago. He is a very impressive individual who, like Bellamy, never leaves a single stone unturned.
Plan C would be to sign former Eels coach Stephen Kearney for 12 months on the understanding that he would become Craig Bellamy’s assistant – again – when the Melbourne coach’s contract expired a year later.
Kearney was Bellamy’s assistant in Melbourne and the marriage worked well for everyone. The other bonus in having Kearney at the Roosters is that he is Sonny Bill William’s childhood hero, and Williams is only contracted for 2013 at this stage.
If all else fails then maybe the bookies’ choice, Jason Taylor, will be considered.
Meanwhile, I have changed my mind about Brian Smith – he will not be considered for the Storm’s coaching role, with a stint in the UK a more likely option.
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