There are a number of recently-retired Queensland greats who could replace Paul Green after the Origin coach’s contract was not renewed for 2022.
Paul Green’s exit as Queensland coach after just one campaign could open an NRL door as soon as next season and leave a former Maroons great at the Origin helm.
The former North Queensland premiership winner was relieved of his duties on Tuesday, Green explaining his NRL head coaching ambitions weren’t in line with the QRL’s desire for a long-term, single-minded mentor.
Results weren’t in his favour as the Maroons were spanked 56-6 and 26-0 to meekly surrender the series pinched from NSW by a plucky side a year earlier.
COVID-19 logistics, last-minute injuries and health scares as well as Ronaldo Mulitalo’s game-day withdrawal over eligibility concerns left QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher to proclaim Green endured “the most exceptional circumstances in the history of Origin”.
But they wanted a long-term coach and Green said, at least beyond next season, he couldn’t commit as he yearned another crack at an NRL title.
It means he’s on the market now and could be in the mix for the Wests Tigers gig with Michael Maguire under immense pressure following his side’s horror finish to the season.
And it leaves the likes of former Maroons greats Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater and even Cameron Smith in line to replace Green in the maroon jacket.
Appointed as a QRL independent director in July, Cooper Cronk has endorsed both his former Storm teammates Smith and Slater as future Queensland coaches while Thurston served as Green’s assistant this year.
“He’s got the presence when he walks into a room,” Cronk said of Slater on Fox Sports in July.
“I think Kalyn Ponga is definitely going to respond to Billy Slater, Cameron Smith or Johnathan Thurston. He’s got the work ethic and he’s got the science behind it and they also know what works when they were coached by Mal (Meninga).
“They know their role is important but it is not the most important thing. Coaching Origin to me is about getting your medium-tier players, your role players to play seven, move that up to eight out of 10 and the most important thing is to get your guns to play 9.5 to 10 out of 10.”
Master coach Wayne Bennett orchestrated one of the great Origin upsets when he took control in 2020 and is set to finish with South Sydney at the end of this season.
But his interest in a role with an expansion club in Brisbane from 2023 would rule him out under the QRL’s new stance.
Meninga won eight straight series between 2006-2013 and is another option if he can be coaxed away from his Kangaroos job.
Rob
Guest
I think the Maroons had to let Green go. This series he oversaw some rather unwanted records like biggest losing margin and most points conceded in a series. Whilst it’s you can’t deny the quality of the NSW team and the players unavailable for Queensland you can’t ignore how badly the team played especially in games 1 and 2. I don’t understand why people believe a State of Origin coach has to have an NRL club experience? A composed intelligent voice that is respected and that can inspire players to play with fearlessly composure is all that’s required. None better than Slater and Smith at knowing how to prepare for a big game and analyse an opposing team weakness IMO.
MUCK
Roar Rookie
Billy Slater is the man we need. He coached The Storm and Queensland from the back for years. He has the discpline we missed this year and he will instill it into the team. He has had the best view of the best teams from club , State and Country. He has learnt from the best in the best systems. Bellamy , Mal , Sheens. The boys wont be out on the lash the night before on his watch. If you think hes not up to it your kidding yourself. Hes a QUEENSLANDER.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Wel, I wouldn't have bought him, I'd keep Bird in the centres. But now he's off to lock and back-up 5/8 and FB
Sammy
Guest
The criteria as I understand is: * Previous Queensland Origin player. * Coaching experience, but not currently contracted as an NRL Coach. Personally I would also add that the Coach should be someone who is sufficiently older than the players so that he has NOT previously played along side any of the players in recent years. Perhaps the Board looks at Channel 9 commentary experience too - LOL. And no politicians - hence the real reason for Mal Meninga not pursuing a career in politics back in 2001 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt--SGmIKIQ
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
I don’t think anyone can stop the “Dynasty” …too soon? Nahhh. I feel that the trio might be a bit to close in terms of recency. I know Josh Hannay is assistant at the sharks next year but I thought he would be a good choice. It’s a tougher gig now than before simply because the teams have levelled out a bit. I think a calm figurehead with a bunch of ex players as support would work well. I agree with most that at this level coaching is more about getting heads right. Figure out who is as good as Bennett at doing that and its 2020 all over again :thumbup:
Tony
Roar Guru
Fair enough. Suli won't be much better though. Where do you think they should use Bird?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Bird's defence appears poor. It's at Norman levels of underwhelming, he's the top of the Dragon list of missed tackles.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
He did knock us back. So they probably upped the anti.. To be honest, Hook is confusing me. He talks a lot about youth and the young guns being the future, then gives Sloan 2 games before axing him for Bird. Has Norman leaving but won't give Sullivan a run. Has two great young backs coming through in the twins but goes and buys Suli. If Suli is running in the centres, heaven help us if Bird is the FB.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Let's hope so.
Muzz
Guest
Cam Smith will get the job.
Tony
Roar Guru
As long it's Thurston doing the press conferences :happy:
Tony
Roar Guru
"A smart coach" .....like Griffin? :happy: I don't think that Bird's got what it takes to play in the pack, unless it's at lock.
matth
Roar Guru
Or go the Slater as figurehead and Henry behind the scenes
Albo
Roar Rookie
A smart coach might turn Suli into a rampaging backrower ? Or pehaps move Bird back into the pack where he should be, and keep Suli out wide ?
matth
Roar Guru
The alternative is to keep the likes of Neil Henry in the background for the actual coaching
andrew
Roar Rookie
It depends what Griffin wants. I wasn’t impressed with some of his signings this year. Molo and Su’a could be ok for 2022 but I’m not sure about Suli, after all didn’t he knock back joining Saints last year.
That Guy
Guest
I'd be looking at Neil Henry to coach the team for the next 2 seasons and also ask Slater, Smith, Thurston and Co. to join him as assistants with the intention of immediately strengthening the teams moral, preparation and Origin footy knowledge while also allowing for Slater, Smith, Thurston etc to develop as coaches. Henry is a proven NRL coach and he has been a highly regarded assistant in the QLD camp for quite a while - more specifically during their 8 year dynasty. I understand that he's had his issues with Thurston in the past when he was coaching the Cowboys, but that was a while ago now and they have since worked together in QLD sides since their relationship first soured.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Billy or Smith is PERFECT. None of these Origin guys need coaching and if they did a short Origin camp is not going to do it. You need a motivator and a manager of men . Smith is ideal . Plus we would get the Rub of the green from the Ref . It's our Ace in the hole.
G Len N
Roar Rookie
I don’t get it. Incredible footballers do not automatically make great coaches. It really seems like they want a personality to take up the role. I said elsewhere that JT was the assistant to Green this year. Would you promote a losing 2nd year rookie assistant coach to the senior role of an NRL team? Of course not. Let all 3 of them get some coaching experience elsewhere and within the Maroon set up and then consider them.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
Yep, too soon for any of them, especially with Qld at their current level. Kevvie came into the job at the back end of the dynasty, and even then he'd already had years of assistant work in the NRL beside two of the all-time best. It's a shame these guys have all chosen the Joey path of full-time commentary work with casual consulting and assistant gigs on the side (i.e. the lucrative path). I'd like to see one or two of them at least have a go at Qld Cup first..