Mark ‘Spud’ Carroll’s answer to Manly’s rugby league woes is to sign Des Hasler, Geoff Toovey, and Kieran Foran.
“Manly need him. I think we need some clarity there for the fans and supporters,” said Carroll.
“I’d love to see Tooves get involved as well… he’s Manly through and through.
“I reckon Des will go after Foran, he only played half a year with the Bullodgs, he’s on massive money… the Bulldogs are struggling with salary cap.”
Carroll has every right to make suggestions.
Having started his NRL career at the Panthers in 1987 he left for South Sydney in 1990, and linked with Manly with Bob Fulton as coach in 1994.
In his four seasons with the seaside club, Carroll played in three successive grand finals, losing to the Bulldogs in 1995, beating the Dragons in 1996 and losing to the Knights in 1997.
There’s a special culture at Manly, unlike any other club, and Spud thrived in it.
One of the special features at Brookvale is the coach must be a former Manly player of substance.
Fulton played 305 games for the Sea Eagles, Des Hasler 256, and Geoff Toovey 238. That talented trio have produced more grand finals as Manly coaches between them than any other period – Fulton five grand finals, Hasler three, and Toovey one.
Spud wants Hasler and Toovey to replace Trent Barrett and John Cartwright as coaches, and re-sign Foran as a player.
He’ll get his first wish, but the other two may well go begging.
The bigger question would be if Toovey could be happy playing second fiddle to Hasler, even though they are great mates?
If they could combine it would be a formidable coaching combination, and welcomed with open arms by the Manly roster, especially Daly Cherry-Evans, and the Trbojevic brothers.
Geoff Toovey was sacked for failing to make the finals with Manly, could he come back as an assistant? (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Foran is another matter altogether.
Since he left the Northern Beaches at the end of the 2015 season after 148 games in search of greener pastures, his career’s turned black.
He played only nine games for Parramatta in 2016, 17 for the Warriors in 2017, when no other club would touch him, and 12 games for the Bulldogs last season – all of them with little to no spark.
It begs the question has Foran become injury-prone, or just plain unreliable? Either option would be no bonus.
Kieran Foran should have stayed with Manly. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
But the Spud suggestion of Hasler-Toovey is not only an exciting prospect, but the return of two favourite sons to the fold.
That would fill Brookvale for every home game next season, and beyond.
Manly chairman Scott Penn could make a decision as early as this week. If he can sign Des Hasler and Geoff Toovey, he must then bow out entirely and leave all football decisions to them, and CEO Lyall Gorman.
There is a downside, however – the dismissal of Cartwright as assistant coach.
The same happened to John Cartwright when Neil Henry took over the Titans, making the former twice collateral damage in the coaching musical chairs.
He deserves better.
Randy
Roar Rookie
its fascinating how many people now judge a coach on how well he can manage a salary cap rather than on field results.... not saying Des didn't create an unholy mess but he delivered them 2 premierships. As a Raiders fan and I would glady accept 2 premierships if it meant our cap was screwed for the next 10 years after....
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Peeeko, works for some clubs but not others. Manly need a special psyche to deal with the isolation, facilities etc. At Dragons hiring their own seems to be counterproductive. Go figure...
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Totally get it that Manly work better with a coach who is one of their own. Just so fascinated that after such a hard year on the back of penalties for back-ended contracts issues created (in part) by Des AND with similar bad press associated with Canterbury that Des gets a gig anywhere, no matter how good he may or may not be. All is forgiven eh? I would have run with Tooves but I'm not making the call.
max power
Guest
umm, no
UKRL
Roar Rookie
Spudd should be mad director of Manly too. He makes a lot of sense.
max power
Guest
David Lord was once a big deal in journalism?
peeeko
Roar Guru
Spud was a good player. his opinion is about as valuable as that of Mark Geyer. it is amazing how each of these clubs has a special culture that transcends generations. hardly any outsider has coached Manly so its hard to say whether they would work
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I can't see Foran returning but I remember the outcry when Uate was signed and sometimes this type of signing pays big dividends. Joe Gulauvau, Ben Kennedy and Shaun Lane were all considered signings that could be a bit wobbly but turned out great. Foran could be more like Nate Myles though and a bit too beaten up. The issue of home grown coaches is raised fairly often but does anyone seriously believe that Warren Ryan or Bellamy would have failed at Manly if they were the coach during Bozos or Disco Des's era?
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Manly are just one of those clubs that thrives on culture of ex-players running the joint. Agree Hasler or Toovey, both would be overkill. Maybe Toovey as a football manager - has a good business brain. Just keep Des away from contract negotiations- will back end them every time.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Good old Spud, always calls it as he sees it. A tough old frontrower who poked his head into scrums when they were fair dinkum battles, not like the handbag exchanges they are nowadays. Despite all the knocks to the noggin he makes sense. Manly has this innate mentality only a former player can digest and as much as I used to detest the mongrels I now feel sorry for them. Des and Tooves would make a great combo to resurrect that loathsome team on the insular peninsula. As for Foran, maybe not. He appears damaged goods with his mind somewhere other than footy. Yeah, Des and Toovey can make us hate the silvertails once again.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I'd be giving Foran a swerve. As for the article's reference to Tooves, he's gainfully employed by ex Manly ( and just about everywhere else to be fair )Graham Lowe over at Bradford in Blighty.
Busy McCracken
Guest
Toovey was already a trainer water boy under Hasler before getting promoted to the big gig so it isn't that far fetched
The Barry
Roar Guru
Please do sign Foran you’re welcome to him. It sounds like Spud is all over the Dogs cap issues but may have forgotten about Manly’s...
Sammy
Guest
Since 1970 the Manly Coach has been an ex-Manly player for 38 out of the 46 seasons that Manly played. (Graham Lowe = 3 years, Peter Sharp = 2 years, Trent Barrett = 3 years). The Club reached 15 Grand Finals during those years. * Ron Willey (1970–1974) - Grand Finals = 1970, 1972, 1973 * Frank Stanton (1975–1979) - Grand Finals = 1976, 1978 * Allan Thomson (1980) * Ray Ritchie (1981–1982) - Grand Finals = 1982 * Bob Fulton (1983–1988) - Grand Finals = 1983, 1987 * Alan Thompson (1989) * Bob Fulton (1993-1998) - Grand Finals = 1995, 1996, 1997 * Des Hasler (2004–2011) - Grand Finals = 2007, 2008, 2011 * Geoff Toovey (2012–2015) - Grand Finals = 2013
Paul
Roar Guru
Why would Manly sign Toovey AND Hasler as coach? Surely one or the other would be enough.
0oB
Guest
Stuff it, why not get the Stewart brothers back too! Back to the Future: Part Manly