Axed Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter has revealed he felt like a dead man walking during the final three months of his tenure with the NRL joint venture.
Potter was told on Wednesday by Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer that his two-year contract at the club would not be renewed, bringing to an end the former star fullback’s tumultuous reign with the Tigers.
But the former Catalans, St Helens and Bradford mentor said on Channel Nine’s Footy Show that he knew his cards were marked when speculation of his continued role with Wests come to a head before their round-20 loss to St George Illawarra in late July.
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The week before the Tigers looked set for a finals berth after thrashing Canterbury 46-18, but things went down hill on the morning of the Dragons game when news broke of a board meeting that night that could decide Potter’s future.
Brisbane great and media personality Gorden Tallis then went to radio to claim that Tigers captain Robbie Farah told him that Potter “couldn’t coach” and was one of the driving forces behind a move to oust him.
The Tigers lost 28-12 to the Dragons and then dropped their next five games to fall out of finals contention.
Potter confronted Farah over the claims pre-game and said he knew from then on the writing was on the wall.
“I knew where they were heading probably three months ago and I am just disappointed it has ended this way,” Potter said.
“I understand how and why but (feeling) anger is not something that is high on the list.”
Potter said he doubted a finals spot would have saved his job.
“I don’t know. I honestly don’t know where they were heading with that, whether it would have made any difference,” he said.
When asked about the nature of his relationship with Farah now, the former Canterbury, St George and Western Reds No.1 chose his words carefully.
“We are okay on the surface. He is just passionate about the club and he wants the best for the organisation all the time,” Potter said.
“He does let his emotions get the best of him some of the time.
“We certainly had our issues during the year and I have addressed them as best as I can.
“But it wasn’t about trying to please Robbie. It was about trying to get the best out of the team all the time.
“Sometimes it doesn’t rub too well with him.”
Potter said he felt he hadn’t been given enough support and authority to do the job he wanted to do, but had confidence in the new Tigers board, headed up by media executive Marina Go.
“I’m pretty confident that the new board they have appointed is really going to make a massive step forward for the organisation,” he said.
“I’m really happy that it is in place and I think there is a group of people there that is going to take the business forward.”
Dumped Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin is the frontrunner to succeed Potter in a group that includes Nathan Brown, Jason Taylor, Matt Parish and Potter’s former assistants David Kidwell and Todd Payten.
Mike from Tari
Guest
Well there you go Potter did not have full reign like other NRL coaches so what do you get, chaos & now he has come out & said Farrah was a problem.
Kilbongteb
Guest
I couldn't agree more, obviously my sarcasm did not come through in the post, read it again with me being sarcastic in mind and you'll see we are on the same page
Western fuglie
Guest
Hope the new coach gives mania cherington 20 mins each game for the next season,this is tottaly to see if farah can be a team player for coach no 3 or if he still views himself as top dog/CEO and bigger than Jesus
Western fuglie
Guest
Hope the new coach gives mania cherington 20 mins each game for the next season,this is tottaly to see if farah can be a team player for coach no 3 or if he still views himself as top dog/CEO and bigger than Jesus
Western fuglie
Guest
Hope the new coach gives mania cherington 20 mins each game for the next season,this is tottaly to see if farah can be a team player for coach no 3 or if he still views himself as top dog/CEO and bigger than Jesus
Chris morrison
Guest
Get rid of Farah. The man is poisonous. Got rid of Benji and two coaches now. Farah wants to be coach, CEO, trainer and only player on the field. He needs to learn that rugby league is a team sport and the team includes the club.
Birdy
Guest
I believe the tigers. Board now checkmated themselves. If these tiger cubs were to play to their well publicised potential next year and finish top 4 or better it will be all credit to sheens and potter. If however the slip and fail again then 3rd time unlucky the board will finally have to admit their total incompetence and fall on their sword. I think since they have been so unfair with potter they should finish the clean out. If for no other reason but to protect themselves. The real reason they should have. A clean out is to prevent more of the same distructive behaviour . I've been tigers all my life if they bought in another SEQlld side next year I would jump ship.
tigerdave
Guest
He's good alright, but might be time to let him be good somewhere else.
tigerdave
Guest
Yeah Will. Robbie is one of th best, but a world champion dummy spitter as well. Your point about beating the best is valid. To be the best you need to beat the best. Everything was rosy until the players had an attitude adjustment and simply payed without pride, interest, internal fortitude and self respect. We, the fans suffer because they don't really care too much about their performance or their team, and by default they are slapping the fans in the face. They only seem to care about self interests.. I love Farrah as a player and I love his passion, but I hate his dummy spits and am sick and tired of the two teired performances of the Tigers. There has been one common dennominator in it all year in, year out..Robbie. When I say 2 tiered, there is never a reasonabe performance, they are either really red hot, or just plain discraceful. They need head shrinks, not a coach.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Hopefully this will be a learning experience for Robbie, and he will be better for it. I don't want him to leave - he's a Tigers junior and, at his best, I wouldn't swap him for any other hooker in the game. Onward to better and brighter things, hey! Remember, Souths and Dogs both still alive, and the Tigers flogged them both off the park this season. The talent is there.
Tobias Zulaikha
Roar Rookie
Well said Tigerdave, couldn't agree more. Potter was shown zero support from the club from day one. If the new board doesn't back the incoming coach 100% - it will become the same old soap opera all over again.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Farah is not that good anymore. Why hold onto farrah
Benedict Arnold
Guest
Mick Potter is obviously a decent bloke; won't even rat out a guy that stabbed him in the back. Players not being able to respect him show how pathetic they are.
tigerdave
Guest
Kilbongted, if we do that, we;ll be in the wilderness fo decades. We can't have the players running the show. They need to buy into the program. It's high time that the board and the football department backed thier coach to the hilt. We've all seen the result if they don't Robbie Farrah (I love him) is a player, and by pandering to the players needs we went for the penthouse to the outhouse. I feel for Mick. I think he is a great coach. He was there two years. The first year wans't his roster, and he was trying to fill the role of senior players who had left the club because they couldn't get thier way with Sheens. That year and this year, he was bringing the youngsters through as well as trying to manage the massive injury toll the Tigers had. He did a great job until the Fararh-Tallis incident. This man epotimises dignity and he is hard not to like. The board need to have a good hard look at themselves and stop the coaching merry go round. Stability and a chamge of attitude by the players is a pre requisite for success.
Kilbongteb
Guest
Just let farrah choose the coach, doesn't sound like there is much point appointing a coach that farrah doesn't pick and control