The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Current success of the elite coaches

Autoplay in... 6 (Cancel)
Up Next No more videos! Playlist is empty -
Replay
Cancel
Next
Roar Rookie
30th August, 2019
23

The influence of the elite coaches this season is having a huge impact on results. Since the beginning of the National Rugby League era in 1998, the current top five team’s coaches have won 13 premierships between them, although Melbourne have had stripped off two of them.

There is an argument to be made that Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy are two of the greatest coaches in the modern game, and success can back that claim. But Des Hasler, Trent Robinson and Ricky Stuart are not far behind them.

Something that stands out is the uniqueness of each coach. All with individual, larger than life personalities that bring their own philosophies to the game which is then shown in the style that the top five teams are currently playing.

It’s no surprise then that the Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters, Canberra Raiders, Manly Sea Eagles and South Sydney Rabbitohs find themselves competing for a top-four spot and are all genuine contenders to the 2019 NRL Premiership.

How much of a gap is there between the good coaches and the great coaches? We often hear discussion about whether there is a gap between the top teams and bottom teams in terms of the playing roster, but this year in particular is showing the importance of the coach.

At the beginning of the season not many people would’ve given Manly a chance to finish in the top eight, let alone throw their name in the ring as a premiership-winning force. But enter the mad genius, Des Hasler, who has made best with the team and facilities he has and are now every chance of going deep into the finals.

Looking at a the rosters of all 16 teams, I don’t really see any as being weak. Sure, not every team is capable of reaching the grand final, but there’s enough talent for each team to make the finals and have a crack.

Advertisement

Gold Coast might be in the midst of a dreadful season but on paper they still have quality players. Garth Brennan didn’t inherit a roster that lacked talent, their issues for failure lie elsewhere and, unfortunately for Garth, he couldn’t amend those problems. But you only have to go back to 2016 when Neil Henry took the Gold Coast Titans to their first finals appearance since 2011.

Dean Pay, over the past few months, has proven that with the right coaching, signing players for the betterment of the team and instilling belief in the playing roster that even a team like the Bulldogs – who many predicted would run last – can string together a few wins in this competition and find themselves not that far away from being in the top eight.

If a few results had gone their way earlier in the year then they would’ve been every chance of playing in September.

The key to having major success comes down to having the right coach and, more importantly, a great coach. Is Ivan Clearly the man that can take Penrith from the foot of the mountain and all the way to the top? Can Anthony Seibold become the new master-coach of the Brisbane Broncos and bring them back to the land of glory?

If Adam O’Brien does become the new head coach of the Newcastle Knights, will he be able to continue on the work of Nathan Brown and ultimately lead them to the success the Newcastle fans crave?

As of this moment in the season, arguably five of the greatest coaches in the NRL era have their teams all in contention. In a post-Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater world, Craig Bellamy is virtually guaranteed to win another minor premiership with the Melbourne Storm.

Sports opinion delivered daily 

   

Advertisement

Trent Robinson has his Sydney Roosters seemingly playing better football than they were playing this time last year and are on track to possibly going back to back for the first since the Broncos of ’92 and ’93.

Ricky’s Raiders have found consistency for the full 80 minutes and playing an excitable brand of attacking footy with hard edge defence. The English contingency, Josh Papalii and Jack Wighton are playing some of the best football in their careers.

Des Hasler has taken a Manly Sea Eagles side that a lot people had doubts about and has them firing on all cylinders as they keep marching towards finals football. Despite injuries to key players in the early part of the season, Des remarkably has been able to keep winning as they loom closer to cementing a spot in the top four.

And you know Wayne Bennett still has a trick or two up his sleeve as the South Sydney Rabbitohs attempt to win their second premiership since coming back into the competition.

With the Rabbitohs spine starting to find form again and still waiting on the return of Sam Burgess, South Sydney are starting to put the pieces of the puzzle together for something special.

There are many good coaches in the NRL but which of those good coaches is going to go to that next level and prove themselves as a great coach or will we continue to see the success of the current top five coaches for the years to come?

Advertisement
close