It’s being reported that due to a handshake agreement with both Trent Robinson and Nick Politis, Craig Fitzgibbon will not consider leaving the Roosters until the end of the 2021 season.
This comes in spite of Fitzgibbon’s interest in exploring his options as a first grade coach. With one position currently vacant, as well as several other coaches underperforming, it seems odd that he isn’t throwing his hat into the ring.
Apparently integrity will keep Fitzgibbon’s phone on silent when rival club CEOs start calling. The timing is less than ideal because 2020 looks to be a big year of coach turnover with the Warriors already on the hunt and potentially a number of other clubs including the Dragons, Bulldogs, Sharks, Cowboys and maybe even the Broncos looking for a new head honcho.
On paper Fitzgibbon looks to be the best rookie coach out there. He was an outstanding player and he has served his coaching apprenticeship under multiple premiership winner Trent Robinson.
The most obvious choice for Fitzgibbon would be the Dragons. He made his first grade debut for the Illawarra Steelers, he scored a try in the 1999 grand final for the Dragons and his family name is synonymous with rugby league in the Illawarra.
His father Allan Fitzgibbon was the inaugural coach of the Steelers.
However for the Dragons the timing may now be off. Word is that the Dragons are looking to move on from Paul McGregor – Fitzgibbon’s captain in that grand final – in this offseason.
After a worst ever 15th place finish in 2019 and with the Dragons currently sitting 12th with two wins and five losses, the board, sponsors and supporters alike have lost faith.
After six years in charge if McGregor was going to bring success it would have already happened by now. It’s only the club’s reluctance to cough up the payout for McGregor’s contract that’s keeping McGregor employed.
So with Dragons assistant coach Shane Flanagan banned until 2022 and Fitzgibbon also unavailable until 2022, the argument for Nathan Brown in 2021 gains more momentum.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
because he gave his word he would see out his contract, he stays because he has some integrity. He is part of a tight knit team along with Jason Taylor & Cooper Cronk. He is the Roosters defensive coach and he may well have a 3rd Grand final appearance as assistant coach on his resume by the end of this season, the football gods willing. He may also look at the management structures of some of the clubs that are interested in his services & say Nuh!! not with that lot. There is a hell of a lot of back office team work that goes into coaching a 1st grade NRL team and you have to be 100% sure the board & the management are 100% rock solid behind you if you take on a task of turning around a struggling team with a poor roster, such as the Bulldogs or the Dragons.
Paul
Roar Guru
yeah, but why stay?
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
he gave his word ...simple,
Paul
Roar Guru
I don't get the logic behind Fitzgibbon staying at the Roosters past this season? He's done a fair old apprenticeship, but what does he get out of staying there. apart from another chance at a premiership, but only as a assistant.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
The funny thing is that both those clubs are financially sound, it is the football department that has issues. Though I am told by long standing Dragons members that the club is run like an old boys club. Their current recruitment manager has been shuffled from job to job and it appears that he does not answer to McGregor when it comes to recruitment decisions. The ineptitude of this bloke is obvious by the stuffed roster they have. Additionally to blame the loss of De Belin is rubbish, for many a club has lost a major player for a season due to injury and just got on with it. Too many overpaid egos at the Dragons for mine
Adam
Roar Guru
Plus, who really wants to go coach the Dragons or Warriors? At least go to a club where you put the broom through if necessary
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
I think the problems at St George go beyond just McGregor. As for Craig Fitzgibbon, refreshing to see someone with the principle to say my word is my bond.