Mick Potter has been shunted from the Tigers. The news comes days after Marina Go, Lucio Di Bartolomeo and Rosemary Sinclair were elected to a new-look Tigers board.
Reports indicate Potter was asked to present his case to this crack team of rugby league aficionados, who have determined a fresh start is the only way to make sure people forget how terrible the Tigers administration has been up to this point.
Let’s examine the frontrunners to be joining Potter at the Centrelink office in 12 months’ time.
Robbie Farah
Apparently running things anyway, Farrah seems the logical choice to replace the sacked Potter. His ego alone should provide enough sustenance for the young cubs to feed off over the winter period.
A ready-made assistant in Gorden Tallis is waiting in the wings, ready to act as trusted advisor and confidante.
Nathan Brown
Brown may be the pick of the litter. He had limited success coaching in the NRL, taking the Saints to second on the NRL ladder in 2005, ironically being disposed of by the eventual premiers, the Tigers.
More recently he has successfully not won anything in Super League either.
An unlikely choice, given the long commute between Leichardt and St Helens, where he has taken up residence.
Anthony Griffin
Shown the door by Brisbane, Griffin has all the markings of a really nice guy. With a friendly face, and a calming voice, he seems lovely.
Griffin has led the Broncos to two finals series, being cruelled in 2011 by a stray Gerard Beale knee to star playmaker Darren Lockyer’s face.
By all reports Griffin – or ‘Hook’ as he is inexplicable known (given his propensity at the Broncos to literally never hook anyone) – is a nice guy.
David Kidwell
Has been as quiet as a rat (that’s the saying isn’t it?) on Potter’s demise, Kidwell would be the easiest solution for the Tigers board.
He is already there; assumedly he knows the players’ names, so that would save a bit of time. He has also worked under Craig Bellamy, a prerequisite for coaches nowadays.
Personally I don’t see the value in sacking a coach for an assistant. You already have the assistant there, what added value is there?
Tim Sheens
Australian coach Tim Sheens is another possible candidate on the merry go round that is coaching at the Tigers. Benefits of Sheens include his proven success at the club, his knowledge of where the training grounds are located (parking areas etc.) and the fact the Tigers would definitely still have his banking details on file, which can save a lot of time in HR.
Other possibilities include Steve Folkes, Grant Mayer, Blocker Roach, Benny Elias and anyone else with little on in the next 9-12 months.
You wouldn’t be a coach for quids, would you?
Go Qld
Guest
The Eye, not sure if your aware but Cowboys have won 9 of the last 10, so are playing well at the right time. They will need to man up, but should beat a full strength Roosters if the refs don't intervene as they have in the past two seasons. Paul Green has done exceptionally well in his first season as coach. Can you name any who has done better in there first season?
Fairy fairfax
Roar Rookie
I have a different point of view on Farrah's role in 2015 and beyond. I look at him as a 30 year old playing in the centre of the field where all the heavy blokes like to run into him. Sure, the man is tough as teak but 30 is 30 and something gotta give. His tour as Captain has lifted his perceived importance of himself whereby he could comment on things outside his purview and this led to the press pandering to his ego that got bigger and bigger. Offer Farrah a job outside the player roster. Make him a mentor, conditioning coach, halves coach........something, anything where his experience will enhance the potential of the young blokes coming through.
Jay C
Roar Guru
That's not to say Lewis didn't chuck a hissy fit because he massively did. But in the end you can't coach if you are forced to pander to other peoples intestests.
Jay C
Roar Guru
This modern crap always reminds me of Wayne Bennett sacking Lewis as Captain of the Broncos. And this was 1990, before a single premiership was won, beofre the Broncos had even really made headway into a finals series. Wayne was a nobody and Lewis was a hero. Whether it was the right move or not, it definitely shows that there was a time not that long ago when the coach was the boss of the football club. Could you imagine something like that nowadays with one of the princess Captains they have running around at some clubs. Imagine the hissy fit Farrah would throw.
tigerdave
Guest
So we come back to relation with a certain player...the reported reason that Sheens (Australian Coach) and Potter have gone. Is there a common denominator here? Why are the kids allowed to rin the kindegarten. They have been let do so for that long now, and have a look at the basket case that has resulted. Perhaps we need to appoint a coach and support him to the hilt, now that would be a huge difference to the Mick Potter tenure. The fish is rotting from the head here, with the CEO runniing for cover when things get a bit hot in the kitchen. He is media shy, accountability shy and has overseen one disaster after another. Lets punt Meyer, get Mick back, give him his own staff, not two envious guys coveting his job and undermining him and actually Back him. There's something that seem foriegn in the Tigers hymn sheet.
Mitchy
Guest
....and there it is. Id like to think otherwise but from the outside looking in it appears someone is pushing their own agenda. Id like to be wrong.... Also ,hiring a noted " Team Demolition Expert " to do your review itself seems very strange indeed
Jay C
Roar Guru
I am assuming the pay difference between assistant and head would be significant Danno. Also you are correct, If I was a terrible player. I would hire Stuarts manager so quickly.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I feel like neither of those victories count because the team was full of drug cheats.... so.........
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I think the Tigers should go with Folkes, a proven coach and tough as nails. He knows the Club well and could get up and running quickly. I guess it could come down to his relationship with Farrah. Griffin doesn't make a lot of sense, great guy and all but he would be going from the penthouse to the outhouse. Taylor would be the outsider but could he handle the off field issues that comes with coaching the Tigers. I think they need a tough nut who can work with what he is given and under resourced. Folkes is the man IMO.
The eye
Guest
Jay,please dont confuse the Cronulla club with the Cronulla players...otherwise the Broncos and Roosters who both copped the mothers of all losses from the aforementioned in '14 would have to wear a paper bag over their heads till they set it right..
Danno1
Guest
Well Folksey and Michael Hagan won premierships but not many clubs are knocking on their door for coaching gigs. I think having a manager with good links to the press may be even more important than results. Ask Ricky. As another comment, I would love to be an assistant coach, all reflected glory and no responsiibilty, god know why they take on the lead role :-)
Jay C
Roar Guru
The hardest part of being a coach has got to be premiership number 1. once you take home the golden goose, players are going to want to play for you, and it buys you that all important commodity, time.
mushi
Guest
Is standing behind someone else and refusing to take ownership one of those characteristics?
Jay C
Roar Guru
I dunno tigerdave, there are lots of reason to smile as a Tigers fan. Tedesco renegging on his Raiders deal is a big one. They were easily top 8 quality this year, but were scuttled by whatever issues they had in the boardroom. Lots to be excited about if they can get the coaching situation under control. It is just a shame Potter got turfed because he will, I'm sure, go on to show that he is and NRL worthy coach in the years to come. It looks like to me like they are a couple quality second rowers/cenres short of some quality seasons.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Cheers Alex!
Casper
Guest
I'm another who wonders how the assistant gets the job after the head coach is sacked, isn't he part of the perceived problem. Henry went to the Titans to help Carty & helped himself to the job. He'd been given the bullet from the Cowboys for underachieving? Paul McGregor was an assistant at the Dragons, so they punt the coach & give the job to the guy who was helping out, hows that for board room solidarity. McFadden did the same at the Warriors. If I was being appointed head coach in the NRL, I'd make my wife the assistant so at least you keep the job in the family. Why don't they look for someone doing good work in the Intrust Super cup, that's where Green got his credentials. Those Walker boys are doing interesting things as joint coaches with a limited playing roster at Ipswich & as brothers, there's less chance of backstabbing each other.
Albo
Guest
And a great goal kicker !
Alex Chisholm
Roar Pro
As a Tigers fan, is it wrong that I laughed very hard at the?! Props to you Jay C this article was full of crackers. 'Quite as a rat' might just be the best new saying available. As for your reasoning for Sheensy coming back well lets just say my bladder control became a very important issue. Thanks for the laugh Jay C.
tigerdave
Guest
Cronulla were in the semi's last year. They have half a team of pretty good former Tigers. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired of the Tigers. I'm close to burning my merchandise and looking for another team to support...after over 20 years a Tiger and with the exciting kids on the horizon. It will hurt, but at the rate the Tigers are going the kids would be well advised to find some stability in their footballing life and be able to concentrate on footy. If they aren't distracted by the idiots at the top, they can expect to spennd much of thier life in the casualty ward. It can't be just bad luck year upon year. To top it off with the likes of Brookes and Moses, they have a team of sheilas in the pack that are supposed to look after them. They will get very little protection from forwards that are bullied week in week out, and they will never fulfil their potential, because good halves need to have forwards that at least hold their own, and by holding thier own I mean on the footy field...read into that what you want.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Absolutely agree with you on Potter - I thought he was doing a great job! Personally, I think he was undermined by the Board more than the players. When the Tigers flogged the Bulldogs off the park at ANZ they were firmly in the Top 8, and looking good. Then someone from the Board leaked to the press that Potter was up for review, and could be sacked immediately following the next game and, well, it all fell apart from there. And I can assure you that you're NOT the only person who doesn't like Robbie Farah. He gets that A LOT!