In yet another big rugby league story this week, the Newcastle Knights have sacked coach Rick Stone with his short term successor to be former great Danny Buderus.
After a disgraceful performance against Souths on the weekend, the writing was pretty much on the wall for Stone, who is now facing his second dismissal from the club in five years.
Stone oversaw four consecutive wins at the start of the season, but has since struggled to get the Knights firing.
Although a victory over the Titans a week ago looked to have the Knights turning things around somewhat, a drubbing at the hands of the Rabbitohs this weekend will cost Stone his job, according to Rothfield.
The Knights have confirmed the sacking in a statement.
Full Knights Statement on Rick Stone:
The Newcastle Knights’ Board met on Monday and advised Rick Stone’s position as head coach was untenable.
Danny Buderus will step in as interim coach until season’s end while the club goes through a formal process to appoint the 2016 coach.
“We thank Rick for his efforts and loyalty over a long period of time and while these decisions are never easy, it was made in the best interests of the Club,” CEO Matt Gidley said.
“The Club will now undertake a formal review process of our entire football operations, of which the playing group are a key part, and all have the opportunity to demonstrate over the next seven weeks why they should retain their position.
“The Club strives to build a consistent, competitive and entertaining team and this formal review process will help us achieve this.”
Stone threw the blame on his players after the loss on the weekend, even going as far as apologising to the fans after the game.
“It’s probably a fair time to apologise to our fans, particularly for the first half. That’s not NRL standard,” Stone told Fairfax.
“We’ve got six or so rounds to go and we’ve got to play players who are willing to fight,’’ Stone said.
“That’s the only thing I’m looking for – players who are going to stand up, have some pride in the jumper, and fight their butt off for 80 minutes.
“That’s what you need and, if you can’t give me that, I don’t want you to play.”
Blaming the players is always a dangerous move, for any coach. For Newcastle, Stone being sacked represents a very hard time for the club, after Wayne Bennett left at the end of last season.
Former Dragons coach Nathan Brown and Geoff Toovey have both been mentioned as possible replacements, but Newcastle first have to conduct a review.
It seems that any visions Stone had of leading the Knights for the rest of his two-year deal appear over.
What do you think Roarers? Is this the right call?
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
JOhn Cartwright? He got given a good squad and over time made it poor. Bad choice. He can't develop players properly.
Chuck
Guest
Snowden was re-signed after his run of good form early in the year. The Sims brothers are massively overrated if you look at their stats, as is 8 runs, 20 tackles a match Beau Scott.
Chuck
Guest
Browny is the man for the job. Often overlooked is the fact he coached the Dragons to the 3rd best defensive record in the comp. Then went to England and did well. Overdue for another chance.
PGNEWC
Guest
Yes it is his fault Stone was an insider that didn't need to be answerable to any body -- Not all that bad -- try awful ---other teams handled Souths pretty well and it was only glaringly obviously awfulness that bought him undone-- the Knights need a head kicker from the outside
Doug Graves
Guest
Why would you bother to bring back a coach, give him a bunch of donkeys and then fire him after 18 games? Total shambles at the Knights, Stone is probably happy to be rid of them.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
The Knights should lock in Toovey asap. Sure he is a Manly man through and through, however if he wants to continue coaching then he should head up the M1. They've got talent up there but lack mental toughness. They need a bit of a hard @rse to turn it around and I don't think Brown is that character.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
I hear you loud and clear. I'm struggling with the Barrett proposal at Brookie. But at least Buderus knows the club and Newcastle. I hope the Knights find the right coach and their old school identity.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Its not Rick Stones fault, but as usual these boards (like at the Knights) and all the losing clubs 'they have to blame someone' and the coach is the first to go, eg as is Toovey at Manly! The Knights performance last week against the 'Premiers' had nothing to do with the coaching, its got allot to do with the players and their efforts, plus they did sustain some injuries throughout that game and if they wouldn't of then the score would have been closer, plus they also encountered a very strong and up and coming and into form side in the Rabbitohs. The Knights performance was not that bad and they looked good in 'patches' (they led 6-0 and 6-4 for the first 15min) throughout that game. Plus, they encountered the best 'fullback' in the game who was hungry and who lead the Rabbitohs to an awesome win. That is what happened and no matter what the Knights do they wont advance or get any better without completely reshuffling and recruiting new players into their squad. It's the same as at Manly, Titans and some of the other struggling teams in the NRL. Its as simple as that or is it? What did the great Bennett and previous coach do at the Knights? Nothing! Its not the coach, there must be something very wrong (as is at manly) with the management at the Knights!
Casper
Guest
Rick Stone was always on borrowed time after Bennett left. Knights definitely need someone from outside their program and that's not Buderus. No coaching experience and too close to a misfiring bunch of players. Bennett was the right choice 2 years back but the Alex McKinnon issue set the whole club back last season so nobody is to be blamed for what happened then. I reckon they should try to entice John Cartwright down there because he had a bunch of no-hopers for most of his career and still did reasonably well. The last thing they need is input from the Johns boys and that clique from their premiership years. Clean out players like Uate, McManus, Newton, Snowden, Jeremy Smith, Houston & Roberts for starters. They'd be on far more than they are worth and are holding the club back. Build a pack around Rochow, both Sims brothers, Stockwell and Levi with Mullen and Gagai leading a backline featuring the 3 Mata'utia boys, Mamo, and the young guys graduating from the U20's with a few imported hard heads. Can't go much worse.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I am surprised he lasted this long.
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
He could be but I doubt it. He's only been coaching for less than two years. With the Knights going through this much turmoil the club needs to get someone in with experience, and someone who can make tough decisions like dropping established players - Buderus is too close to the players to do that, he was still playing with a lot of them only two years ago.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Hey JM, do you know if Buderus is a long term candidate. He could be the Tooves you're looking for.
Johnnyball
Guest
Smith will clean them out if nothing else
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
I'd like to see Brennan get a shot. I was in favour of him coming in after Wayne Bennett left. But perhaps now is not the time to blood a young coach. Maybe someone like Toovey can give the team the kick up the ass they need.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Wow. Tough gig. The highs and lows of NRL coaching...after 4 rounds Knights undefeated and looking like finals contendors and it all came crashing down. I reckon Nathan Brown would be the obvious choice.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
He said a couple weeks ago that the rumours getting around last year and the year before were ridiculous. The Tigers were the only team that made a serious inquiry but before he had a chance to think it over they announced Jason Taylor to be the new coach. At least I'm pretty sure that's what he said in the article. It was a good 3 or 4 weeks ago.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
That would probably be the best option, with Brennan in as an advisor. He would have learnt from Bellamy at the Storm, and had handled the reins of being the top grade coach in England successfully (Less said about his Dragons spell the better). Though it comes down to what his family reasons are. He just may not be able to dedicate that sort of time to coaching. EDIT: I just read his role is an advisor based in Sydney, which I assume means he scouts teams and players the Storm are coming up against or looking at recruiting.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
How long before the Nathan Brown to coach (insert team here) article?
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Imagine that. Andrew Johns a coach for Manly, and Toovey at Newcastle. Who'd have thought it?
Matthew Pittard
Guest
Rick Stone will be back. They will tire of whoever they get and pick him again. They have done it once before already and these things happen in 3's.