It never ceases to amaze me how some coaches are employed, and then when even ‘Dopey Dora’ can see they cannot coach at first grade level, some boardrooms not only don’t sack them but actually give them a contract extension.
Raiders coach David Furner was hired, it must be said, by the club with his brother, Don Furner, as CEO in 2009. He managed a 43% win record with a much better than average roster.
Any thinking fan who studied the game closely could not believe that Furner #1 had overseen Furner #2’s coaching extension.
The Canberra Club have constantly lost exciting young players because of the lack of discipline and a coaching culture that did not win important matches when expected.
The Raiders board and CEO should also be on thin ice with members as they have waited until it is too late to do anything for 2013.
The Cowboys are in a similar position as they sacked their coach two weeks ago, a couple of years after most students of the game thought he should have been tapped on the shoulder.
Like the Raiders, the Cowboys enjoy a stunning playing list and incredibly must win every game left this season just to qualify for the finals.
Like Furner, the sacked Cowboys coach Neil Henry was also given a coaching extension by their inept board that includes NRL 360 host Ben Ikin.
The most important challenge for all NRL Boards is to hire a good Coach and an even better Talent Scout. If they fail to get the recruitment right it makes little difference how good the coach is.
Any club can make a mistake but the real mistake to keep on making the same mistake when it is obvious a mistake has been made.
We have discussed the Raiders and the Cowboys but they are not the only clubs in trouble. Titans coach John Cartwright is another with a better than average list that has underperformed and has also been given an extension. He is reported to be hiring Neil Henry as his assistant for next year but appears there is no budget. Wonder what the members think of the blind leading the blind?
News scribe Paul Kent has suggested that Henry could go to the Raiders saying on Fox Sports: ”You could do a lot worse”.
Really Mr. Kent, based on what? This is the same Paul Kent who is the ghost writer for Ricky Stuart and writes for his paper with the sub heading: “The game’s best thinker”.
The Warriors appointed Matt Elliot as their coach this year after he had a 44% win record in the NRL over ten years. How does a Board justify that to their members?
The very best of all is Ricky Stuart who has his current club Parramatta in reverse and set to win the Wooden Spoon with a record minus For and Against Points differential.
The Board signed him up for a lazy $800k a season after he was sacked from his previous two clubs, the Sharks and the Roosters, which he left in tatters. Ricky is a media favourite and it is those same journos that are suggesting that he will cut ties with the Eels and have a crack in Canberra. Surely the Raiders Board will not go down this path.
I haven’t even looked at poor Steve Price (Dragons), the embattled Anthony Griffin (Broncos), nor misfiring-Mick Potter (Wests Tigers) yet.
Obviously it is difficult to track down and hire a top class coach, but it is not difficult to not replace him when he does not achieve his strategic gaols.
Maybe some of the NRL Boards should give John Ribot a call as he gave both Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy their first shot in first grade and they are now regarded as the game’s best two coaches.
He also hired Chris Anderson as the foundation coach for the Storm and won their initial Title after two years.
He also hired Peter O’Sullivan and put him in charge of recruitment, before the astute Nick Politis grabbed him for the Roosters. Ironically the Roosters should play the Storm in Week 1 of the Finals this year.
Sledgeross
Roar Rookie
True, I remember about 5 years ago and blokes I spoke to rated the likes of Flanagan and Parrish highly. These blokes have moderate footy careers but seem to understand the game better as coaches. Similar to the likes of Bellamy, Murray, Robinson, Price, Maguire, Brad Arthur etc. Not rep players, but I suppose if you dont have natural talent, you tend to think about things more.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Sledge I 2 have heard some good things about him. There is plenty of talented young coaches out there, they just have to be discovered. Most of the time, clubs take the lazy way out by reading the newspapers and signing up what the media are suggesting. It is normally an ex champion player who is a mate of the media. The best judges I know never played the game at NRL level and I see no reason why the same would not apply to a coach. Champion players like Freddy Fittler, Ricky Stuart, Mal Meninga, Wally lewis, Artie Beetson, John Raper, Wayne Pearce, Tom Raudonikis will not be remembered for their coaching at club level.
Sledgeross
Roar Rookie
I had a quick chat in 2005 at Headingley with Justin Morgan (was watching a Rhinos game). Was really impressed to see this newly appointed coach siting in the crowd and watching the game instead of relying on video replays. Had good success in France and KR after falling into coaching fairly young.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Danno They do look like Sydneys version of Essendon.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Sham Not sure what your point is mate. Stats dont mean a great deal unless there is a heap of data over a period of time. In Furner's case he has been head coach for 5 years and his personal and team stats are very poor at almost every level. For him to stay put this long is total incompetence from the CEO and Board.
Danno1
Guest
Scott, Flanagan may be a better coach than Stuart, but there sure has been a bad smell emanating from the Sharks since he's been there more dramas afoot http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-20/sharks-accused-of-secret-financial-dealings/4900742
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
The Koomz Mate he has been there since 2009 and prior to round 1 this year I rated the Raiders as having the best 25 in the NRL. This year the Raiders have a points diff of -122, with only the Eels, Tigers and Dragons worse. That makes the raiders 13th. The Raiders have had 500 points scored against them this year (the Roosters 250 or exactly half) which tells you that the coach has no idea in building any type of defensive structure (sorry Noddy). There is NO doubt that a) he struck the lottery to get the job in the first place, and b) struck the lottery again to get an extension from his loyal brother. Lets not feel sorry for him as he has struck the lottery twice. he seems a real nice guy and should enjoy his retirement now.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Johnno Kimmorley looks and sounds the part but you never know until he tries. He worries me the way he says the word structure all the time.......it is a shame the Raiders did not have much of it. Justin Morgan had a very impressive record at Hull KR with a 56% win record, not bad considering his list. I assume he had a blew with Furner, but thats a guess. It would be no surprise to not agree with Furner so he may well be a good prospect.
The Koomz
Guest
To be fair he deserves another season. He basicly built this team, with core of the team comming together from the 20s of 09. They reached the 2nd week of the finals last year without Campo, half of the playing group were under 22 years. He maybe an average coach but the guy oversaw the emergance of Dugan, Fensom, Crocker, Fergo, Papali, Milford and co. Very bad timming too, I really cant see the Raiders comming back from this to make the finals.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Davo If he was guilty of rorting in any way he would be out full-stop Have you heard of innocent until proven guilty? I will just repeat, his job was to hunt , catch and sign nothing more. So if you think he had an advantage then it is funny how he has repeated it at his next club. I think they call it being good at your job. Give credit where credit is due.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Johnno I liked what Rick Stone did at the Knights but Gids is not a fullback. He deserves another crack.
Davo
Guest
Scott, I read Ian Schubert's report. It was very clear what O'Sullivans actions were. Saying everyone is doing it doesn't mean its right to me.I don't believe in tooth fairies, but I do believe in a set of Ethics that the Storm didnt adhere to. Your response tells me your ethical viewpoint is different to mine, not worse or better. So I respect your view, but I humbly disagree. Cheers.
Johnno
Guest
Some good point scott's stats are misleading often, but other times can be accurate.And nailing a good head coach is priority no 1. Cronulla Flanagan with the rubbish he has put up with has done well. He has good communication skills, he makes ricky stuart sick and well not up to 1st grade head coaching. And on a side note with Paul Gallen going forward next year. Gallen born in 1981, 32 now, 33 next year, injury prone now, he is on the decline, he may have to move to front row full time, luke o'donnell style who is one year older and a similar player to Gallen to stay influential. A few other's out there have been mooted. Brett Kimmorley and Justin Morgan who i think are both current or former raider's assistant coaches. Rick Stone is on the look out for a head coaching role, he will surly throw his hat in the ring, what do you think about rick stone. Ivan cleary is doing okay at Penrith for now, but jury is still out. Funny how Trent Robinson has got the best out of Micheal Jennings.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Davo With respect you have no idea what you are talking about. Peter's job was to discover and sign and no one does it better. If you think the Storm are the only club who exploited the cap then you believe in the tooth fairy. They just happened to have got caught.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
DF All my mail from people I have a regard for have given Steve Price a rap to me so I have given him a lot of slack. I have changed my mind now and I think he should go. Nathan Fien as the key play maker all season is just ridiculous.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Johnno I spend hours every week analyzing teams and the first thing I look at is the coach, it is that important. You made a lot of points and I will try and answer them and at the same time give some clubs some free consultancy advice. I agree with McGuire and Robbo, both have super futures. I was disappointed with Cleary at the Warriors with how dumb they played under him and I am keen to see how the Panthers go next year so jury out. Shane Flanagan has made Ricky Stuart look sick the way he turned the Sharks around after the mess he inherited. My concern with him is that Gallen has too much power and he cant control him. Carney, Luke etc play better without gallen in the side. Nath Brown was not ready when he had the Dragons as he just retired as a player. he is brilliant tactically and provided he has improved his communication skills to the players I have no doubt he would go ok now here. Kev Walters is NOT a first grade NRL coach and I do not have enough information on Trent Barrett, but it appears the Tigers like him.
Davo
Guest
Is that the same Peter O'Sullivan who was instrumental in the Storm cap rort? He should have been banned from league for life.....
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Eye I expected Lee in last week as his arm is ok. Tupou has no idea in defence and I am surprised he is selected in the centres up against Matai (Lyon is on the other side v Croker, who also cant tackle). Lee has played a heap of centre and I would have him in before Tupou. Clearly the new coach doesnt want Blake Ferguson which means he will be gonsky.
Dragons Forever
Guest
1st paragraph sums up the Dragons perfectly
Johnno
Guest
Scott well said. SOme of the stats, with the win/loss ratios are staggering how some of these coaches can command big bucks. Ricky stuart, wow, well that's parra eels for you, management hopeless. And with a statsticsl winning percentage record like ricky stuart, you get what you pay for, and they are at the wooden spoon. It's a worrying trend, not a lot of young coaches are bucking at the horns putting pressure on the status quo. Only Ivan Cleary, Micheal Mgaurie, and trent robinson seem to be the new breed that have broken through. Shane Flanagan maybe too. But to many of the old 80's and 90's old guard remain. I wouldn't put Nathan Brown to have broken through , as he basically fled to the english super league and hasn't come back, and struggled in the NRL with a good roster. Plenty of coaches who have done well in the ESL, try the NRL and they are out of the depth or struggle. Think shaun Mcrae, and Brian Mclennan, and Mick Potter,David Waite Trent Barret I think should apply for the raiders job, if they are looking at giving a rookie a go. Kevin Walters ex canberra player, is now seemingly set on being in QLD. And without starting an old 90's ARL VS Super League war, whatever else John Ribot as a ceo has the evidence the runs on the board as a proven winner as ceo of clubs, he has chalked up a lot of premierships, and picked the right coach for the job at the right time, it;s all in the evidence can't dispute it.