In recent seasons, much has been made about the importance of coaches, seemingly being considered more so than the players they work with.
Terms like ‘supercoach’ are commonly used to describe a select few, while camera operators are instructed to show images of the coaches’ reactions during games – as though there’s some special importance attached to the way they respond to what’s happening on the field.
In coaching, there are always going to some who excel at the job, some who try but don’t quite have it, and the middling lot who have moments of greatness but generally aren’t going to set the world on fire.
Coaches will be the first to admit they will not be successful unless a number of factors align.
The first and most obvious issue is the players the coach has to work with. In some ways, this is a chicken-and-egg situation.
Wayne Bennett is often called a supercoach but if you look at his record, he was super when he had outstanding players. The squads that the Brisbane Broncos fielded in the era when they won their premierships contained so many quality players – ditto with the St George Illawarra team that won a premiership in 2010.
Could they have won their respective titles without Bennett, but with a good coach? Probably but not definitely. Could Bennett have won these titles without these quality players? Maybe, but his record when given a less-talented roster suggests he’d have struggled.
The glaring deficiency in an otherwise outstanding coaching record is Bennett’s time at the Newcastle Knights. Yes, he was coach in 2014 when the Knights made the finals, but he was also coach in the bookend seasons where they finished 12th. That suggests he didn’t have players good enough to either challenge for a finals spot or win a premiership.
Wayne Bennett. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The other two men touted as great coaches in the modern era are Craig Bellamy and Trent Robinson but, again, it’s difficult to know whether they are that good, given they’ve been blessed with outstanding players.
There’s no doubt their talent as a coach has enhanced the abilities of many who have played under their guidance, but neither has yet coached a team of middling talent.
Regardless, both have had setbacks.
The 2016 season was forgettable for the Roosters, finishing second last, while I doubt Bellamy has a highlights reel of the 2008 grand final, which was won in record fashion by the Sea Eagles.
Other than players, coaches need a strong and stable club and board. It’s no surprise both Robinson and Bellamy are doing well, given the people in the background providing a stable base from which to operate, including policies around player retention, as well as the right people making calls on recruitment and injury management.
Contrast that with the situation at the Dragons or Broncos, for example. Both clubs have struggled at board level, both have made poor recruitment decisions and the results can be seen on the ladder.
While it hasn’t helped that both clubs have had coaches that are (generously) no better than middle-of-the-road, it would have made no difference if a Bellamy, Robinson or Bennett had been there – they’d have struggled to make headway.
Ivan Cleary and Brad Arthur are having good seasons, with their respective sides well placed to make a good run at the finals. But only a season or two ago, both were struggling and there were huge question marks about their ability to coach. What changed?
Paul Green was touted as a terrific coach when he helped the Cowboys win their inaugural premiership in 2015, yet a few seasons later, he’s out. What changed?
Paul Green (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
These guys didn’t suddenly become better or, in Green’s case, lose the ability to successfully coach. They were the ‘victims’ of either their roster, club stability, recruitment and retention, or a combination of these factors.
The strength of good clubs is their ability to put all of the pieces together, which includes finding and keeping a good coach. The strength of the really good clubs is to maintain that formula for extended periods, allowing squads to evolve, develop together and regularly challenge for titles.
Coaches are a key element in a club’s success, but they are only one piece of the puzzle.
Footy Fan
Guest
Coaches have major input into (sometimes control of) recruitment & cap structure across the clubs. Obviously not all clubs are immeduately attractive when a new coach joins, but the coach & club set up a multi year program to improve that situation. For the top 30 squad, coaches drive ongoing player development, education, fitness & skills, team tactics & moves & defence strategy (obviously with assistant coaches and other professionals). Most squads have players who can be moulded from promising to good, or good to star-level. Keary has lifted a level or 2 in the last two and a half years. Ditto many others like the Panthers spine, Wighton, Cotric, Brandon Smith, Jarohme Hughes, Papenhuizen, Dylan Brown, Mahoney, Sivo, Radley, Manu, Butcher, Verrills, Katoa, Nikora, Garrick, Cust, Fonua Blake, Murray, Braidon Burns, Barnett, Mann, Garner, Twal, Staggs, Fifita, Flegler, Fotuaika, Brimson, Tevaga, etc, etc. The very top teams have strong recruitment, but stronger player development. They get more players in the 'most improved list'. I think it's up to a coach & his helper crew to mould the team over the off-season. the season, and multi years, including development and recruitment. Not 'just' manage each week's team, video, tactics, and gameday. If they don't have a good enough team, then do their best to make it so.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Maguire will never win another premiership. At Souths he had Russell Crowe snd James Packer to lure in and retain the talent. He’s a bit of a bastard who runs players into the dirt and ends their careers early (see Inglis and Sam Burgess). He isn’t a coach that generates personal loyalty. Players grow tired of him quickly. He will struggle to recruit top talent at Wests.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’ve several times pretty clearly that coaches need a roster...so no need to worry about God given common sense Maybe apply it to the Bennett situation though...you’re blaming him for “carcassing the Knights” rather than the billionaire owner who appointed people with no experience to run the club, was losing $2M a day, couldn’t pay bills or wages, was in trouble with the tax office and almost quite literally sent the Knights bankrupt...but it was Bennett that “carcassed the Knights” Show some consistency - on one hand you’re downplaying the importance of coaches then on the other pinning the Knights demise on Bennett Post Knights, Bennett’s teams haven’t missed the eight. His team’s regular season finishes have been 2nd, 5th, 3rd, 6th, 3rd. Hasn’t won a premiership but has made a GF and got to the preliminary final twice. Are you really going to call that mediocrity in a 16 team competition? “Drop kicked from Brisbane” we’ve seen how that’s worked out for them...
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Yeah, Bennett’s status as a supercoach is unquestionable. In fact Bennett is the only coach of any football code whose record of success is such that his critics had to invent a new unique criteria to judge him by - the success of the coach who follows him. If the team that Bennett no longer coaches and is now actively competing against doesn’t maintain or improve it’s level of success once Bennet has stopped coaching, then Bennett has failed. Only Bennett is judged by this standard. For every other coach, a slip in standards after they left would be considered solid proof of their coaching ability. Not for Bennett though - it’s the exact opposite for him.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Well this is where you’re slapping your own face if you keep up with the Bennett of Newcastle and post/ Newcastle is a ‘ really good one’..carcasses the Knights, punted from England, drop kicked from Brisbane and here we are at Souths continuing the modum of mediocrity . Let me say I’ve never said coaches don’t make a difference..they do, but they and just your God given common sense will be the first to alert you that they need a roster first and foremostly.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Don’t remind me about 2006...the Bulldogs loss to the Broncos in the qualifying final still haunts me and is probably my worst supporter moment in rugby league :sick: :crying:
The Barry
Roar Guru
Of course coaches are prone to mistakes...I’d suggest the really good coaches make fewer which again supports the argument that better coaches make a difference None of the other things are ever equal in this game...
Andrew
Roar Pro
Fair enough, but who else but Bennett could have assembled that team under the Cap?
Big Moose
Guest
You disparage Wayne Bennett when he was at Newcastle, yet make no mention of the owner Nathan Tinkler going broke and the tragedy that occurred to Alex McKinnon. They did well to finish 12th that year with all of the off field drama. Have a look at Brisbane now without Bennett - he held that club together and got results out of players who now look completely out of place in an NRL team. The good coaches like Bellamy, Robinson and Bennett are a class apart just like the great players are a class apart from their team mates.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
They had Lockyer and Webke, two all time greats. And Hodges, Thaiday and Karmichael Hunt. Plus an in form Boyd, Shaun Berrigan and Brent Tate. And Civinoceva, Corey Parker, Brad Thorn, Tonie Carrol, Dane Carlaw, David Stagg, Dave Taylor and Greg Eastwood. Also Hannant. So I can’t really agree with you if you are saying that is anything but an exceptionally good team.
Andrew
Roar Pro
I think the Broncos team that won in 2006 wasn’t spectacular either. They lost to Saints in week 1 then blindsided Melbourne in the GF
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Coaches are prone to mistakes as much as players are, Flanno waited far too long to blood Bird and Holmes as did Green with Ponga as offhand examples etc etc. But the Dogs arent running last because of Dean Pay nor did Ricky suddenly become good coach by coincidence when the English arrived. May the best team win, and in this game all other things being equal they most usually do.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Well said Barry top tier players are attracted to top coaches like moths to a flame. Means greater chances at rep & finals footy & more money. Team needs to be built around the coach not the reverse. An elite coach is essential for success on the field.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Top tier coaches attract top tier players and often for under what they could get elsewhere because they want to win. This article over simplifies the concept. Would Wayne Bennett or Craig Bellamy pay $6m for Ben Hunt? Dragons under McGregor had too to attract him. Look at what the Titans just paid for Forfita
souvalis
Roar Rookie
I think he is the only one at the moment.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Injuries are the most under-recognised factor in a teams performance over a season. Not easy to find information on, but the teams that win premierships are pretty much always among the least injury affected teams in the competition. As bad as the Broncos are playing this season, they are also having by far the worst season they have ever had with injuries. Twice as bad as any other season in their history.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Woah, ease up on Barrett buddy :silly:
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Barry; Not necessarily, you may well be surprised what the likes of Belamy or Robinson may well do with the teams that others could not. Do you think the likes of Belamy or Robinson would cop a situation such as the Dragons where we discover the recruitmet manager did not have to answer to the head coach.. Do you think either would cop a committee meeting to select a team and be over ruled by some assistant or director who is an administrator not a coach. Stewart won a Premiership with the Roosters taking over a pretty good team but unlike Belamay or Robinson could not get them up the next year to even get close to the top 4 teams. Do not just look at the winning percentages look at the organisation as a whole behind those winning percentages. Even in the cases of Fulton & Provan the whole organisation supported those coaches like we see with Bellamy & Robinson.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
What TB said...! Coaches are very important They certainly don't win premierships on their own, but a good coach is certainly a prerequisite
Albo
Roar Rookie
I am one who believes the value of the coach in the NRL is often overstated. I think they get too much kudos when their team is successful and too much criticism when their team is performing poorly. I do agree with Paul's point of view , that the coach is just one aspect of a complex set of variables that need to combine to deliver a successful team. I am a firm believer in the cattle on park being the number one requirement for success. The Coach may develop this in some cases or have it imported in by his Club recruitment managers. Within the restrictions of the salary cap, the Club therefore needs to juggle its priorities to try to get a top spine, a top coach and the right support cast of players and coaching assistants. Everything needs to come together for a team to be successful. I use the example of my team, the Panthers right now. They have been developing players & promising success but disappointing fans for a couple of decades. Fingers crossed, it appears right now, that ultimate success is an actual chance this season, as many of these key variables seem to be in sync. The big play made by the Club was taking the investment punt on, and securing its potential long term on-field leader in Nathan Cleary. In my opinion the Club has not had such a player since the retirement of Greg Alexander, although they did surprisingly win the 2003 premiership. Securing the services of Nathan Cleary it seems "required" the re-employment of his father Ivan as the NRL Coach. I am not so sure that Ivan is such a great coach as his record does not reflect it. But he has this team happy & firing right now , perhaps with the help of good assistant coaches like Trent Barrett, Cameron Ciraldo and Peter Wallace ? Maybe it is the combination of these support coaching staff, along with the developing on field management of Nathan Cleary and the experienced direction & leadership of Api Koriouso, James Fisher-Harris & James Tamou ? Or the enthusiasm of some talented youth ? But their form is strong , they are a close knit group, and their is no happier team in the NRL right now. Is that due to the Coach ? Or just the combination of plenty of ticked boxes for NRL success? Time will tell if this success can go all the way in 2020, but if it does , I think a lot of people will deserve the credit.