After the moving on of three coaches prior to Round 14 of the 2022 NRL season, the media has enjoyed the opportunity to speculate on those likely to fill the now-vacant roles.
Michael Maguire departed the Tigers after achieving absolutely nothing across the last three seasons, Nathan Brown leaves the Warriors after a similarly diabolical period at the helm, and Trent Barrett was rightfully shown the door at the Bulldogs after just five wins from 34 matches.
The three experienced nothing but failure in these stints and, frankly, deserve the fates served up to them.
Collectively, Maguire, Brown and Barrett have won just 46 of 151 matches in command over the last three seasons. Winning percentages well below 50 were, rightfully, deemed not good enough by their employers and resumes have now been flying in from all quarters, with multiple coaching positions now available.
The Bulldogs opted for Michael Potter, a premiership-winning fullback in the blue and white, with previous NRL coaching experience and, until recently, someone enjoying the challenge of developing a new wave of stars in his role as head coach of Mounties in the NSW Cup.
With Barrett’s departure, Potter was whisked into the top job, a position only a brave man would accept considering the appalling ladder position and general performances he inherited.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Under Barrett, Canterbury had won just twice in 2022. A Round 1 win against the Cowboys was followed up by a stunning upset of the Chooks some seven weeks later.
However an embarrassing loss to the Knights during Magic Round was the final straw for the powers that be and – despite Phil Gould’s insistence that Barrett was to be around for an extended period at the kennel – a new coach was summoned for duty.
After success in the United Kingdom, Potter returned to Australia and stepped straight into the living nightmare that was the frightfully fractured Wests Tigers. After a decent period of success under premiership-winning coach Tim Sheens, Potter took over a team seemingly on the slide, managing just seven wins in 2013, before improving them to a 10-14 record the following year.
Performances on the field were one thing, yet the broader rugby league community became aware of the dysfunctional nature of the club’s administrative arm, captured succinctly in Potter’s recollection of his time at the helm.
“I found it to be a different club to any club I’d been with,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald. “It was a political hotbed.
“I knew the first day I went in there it was going to be a tough gig. I went in there to coach, not be a politician.”
The lack of success achieved by coaches since suggests his assessment of the situation may well be accurate.
Now, Potter has freed up the Bulldogs’ attack, presented a team that has been competitive in each of the four matches he has overseen, and turned around one of the most startling NRL statistics.
Under Barrett, the Bulldogs managed just 94 points across the opening ten rounds. Since Potter has taken the reins, the team has scored 98 points and scored more tries than their fans could have expected, improving them both individually and collectively across the park.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
The contrast in performance and point production is stark and certainly presents a feasible option to the Bulldogs board.
If Potter continues to develop a team over which he has had control for just a month, the possibility of the two parties agreeing on a short-term deal for the former fullback to coach in 2023 is real.
While the NRL rumour mill has Cameron Ciraldo as the man that all clubs in crisis want and need, he is far from proven. Brad Fittler’s name has been curiously linked to the Bulldogs, despite his limited success at NRL level, and Shane Flanagan appears to be interviewing publicly for whichever club might choose to take a risk on a man some believe has done his dash as a coach.
There are other options, with Brown and Maguire disastrous ones for the Bulldogs to consider, and former player Jim Dymock an appointment that would see the faithful pleased to have another club legend on board.
Yet Potter is also a decorated Dog, having won the Dally M Medal in 1984 in blue and white, and is a well-respected, knowledgeable, professional and successful coach.
Perhaps Canterbury has their man right under their nose and need look no further than Michael Potter.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t really pay much attention to super league these days, not a snob just don’t have time Reads like a pretty good resume…
mach4
Roar Rookie
Liked Max King since the day he joined, finding his feet at a new club and constantly improving.
mach4
Roar Rookie
Sign him now, see the way he handles himself in interviews and see how the players have taken to him, A recent comment from him in regards to Averiilo, where says he lets Steve Turner take the running with Jakes development and only chimes in when needed, I like his style. There are times when you ignore all the outside influence of up-and-coming coaches, Potter has more experience at all levels than most of them.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Interesting you don't know too much about him - in 2 years at St Helens he has won 2 comps and a Challenge Cup, and has them top of the table again. Took Townsville Blackhawks to the GF in their first QCup season and has served as an NRL assistant. To me he also fits the Dogs' needs - understands development & pathways having coached at every level and seems to know how to motivate given St Helens' success.
The Barry
Roar Guru
To be honest I don’t know enough about him to movie a really informed comment but… :silly: My concern is the same as some of the others, he just doesn’t have the first grade experience for a job like this I guess no rookie coach walks into a successful team with no issues but we’re talking about a club that hasn’t played September footy for 5-6 years, coming off at least one wooden spoon, has had salary cap issues, needs to find an attacking style and improve in defence, needs to be active in the recruitment market, needs to fit new players in and exit others, deal with Phil Gould and a recently dysfunctional board Without knowing too much about him, its difficult seeing it as a great move for either…
Justin
Guest
Well you’d have to say that’s another positive for Gus, in choosing Potter.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Was wondering where you sat on this TB... I don't mind Potter, but if I was a Dogs fan, I'd be hopeful of Kristian Woolf getting the gig. Thoughts on him?
Paul
Guest
If Ciraldo went to the Bulldogs. I wonder if Penrith would take Potter on as the assistant coach at Penrith? I’d say that they would probably bring up local Peter Wallace to be assistant coach, but Potter would then be an interesting candidate to consider.
mach4
Roar Rookie
You might remember TB I threw Potter into the mix, he seems like a coach they want to play for, so give him the job, 1 year with options.
kk
Roar Pro
ST, A most enjoyable read. On Monday June 13, 2022 Canterbury defeated Parramatta 34-4. Dressing shed video and photo of officialdom in the background and players celebrating in a circle up front will become a classic and part of League lore. Michael Potter stands out like an essential part of Canterbury history. Let's hope future photos show similar scenes on GF day. I trust Coach Potter to deliver the goods.
kk
Roar Pro
Your in the groove, TB. Let it run.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Haha… yeah whenever defence is mentioned it’s comparisons to the “Dogs of War” when it’s attack it’s comparisons to the early 80s “Entertainers” It doesn’t bug me too much. That Dogs of War mentality is what the club should be striving for. That’s the Dogs I know and love and grew up supporting
matth
Roar Guru
The question is does Potter even want the gig? That would be the first step.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Kiraz is a great talent, the more aggro the better for mine. Speaking of which, as a Dogs fan you must tire of every team being compared to the mid 80s and early 2000s "Dogs of War" sides. I remember Canterbury used to be pretty handy in throwing the pill around when Ted Glossop was in charge. Surely the players available and coach should reflect the playing style. In which case, Potter's (seemingly) hands off approach is working well.
Redcap
Roar Guru
They're a very interesting team to watch at the moment. When was the last time I thought that about the Dogs? Has Averillo found his spot? A very interesting 3/4 line - Addo-Carr and Kiraz are a seriously good wing combination. Burton's improving. RFM is finally back. Max King looks the goods. They've got five very winnable games on the run in, plus Parra again, Cronulla twice and the Cowboys. Win five of those and it'd hard to say no to Potter - you'd have to give him the chance to keep building.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, I think Potter was wrong place at the wrong time with the Tigers and that was during their infamous period of paying 3-4 coaches at a time To be fair to Gus he’s been pretty quiet on the Dogs coaching gig. He was quick enough to go to Potter as an interim solution, hopefully he has him in mind for a longer term gig…
Bunney
Roar Rookie
I always thought Potter was hard done by to get the sack at the Tigers, and have always questioned why his name never came up in discussions when clubs were looking for a new coach. I think Gus has his mind set on someone else...but wouldn't it be ironic if Potter is successful in this short-term gig, and it leads to a full-time head coach position at another club. Maybe St George Illawarra...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Potter has quickly moved into my first choice for the position - not that that counts for much :silly: I’d like to see a bit more to ensure it’s not just the honeymoon period after any sort of coach switch. The Tigers this week can hardly be considered a test, but it will be an interesting gauge on how much the team may have improved (or otherwise) in the past month The attack seems to have been more effective across the four games he’s been in charge. The goal line defence was good against Parra but that has to be considered a one off at this stage. The players seem to have been having more of ‘a go’ so far under Potter, but that may just be the change There’s an interesting story doing the rounds that after the Panthers loss a few of the players were sitting around chatting and laughing. Young local junior Jacob Kiraz jumped up and gave a few of the players a bake about how they should be hurting a bit more after a loss and needed to take it more seriously. Apparently there was words exchanged and Kiraz and Corey Allan - one of the offenders - almost came to blows Potter was looking on and let Kiraz go and then backed him and what he’d said to the team. Maybe it’s just coincidence, but next game the players come out pumped up and flog Parra. Corey Allan who is talented but fades out of games, put in for 124 metres and probably his best game for the Dogs, while Kiraz runs for 229 and scores a brilliant individual try Anyway, please please please not Brad Fittler. I don’t see any indicators that he’d be up for the long term challenge. I don’t think a full time coaching gig suits what we know of his lifestyle and there’s a huge question of how much he prioritises it versus all his media commitments. I think his appointment would set us back another couple of years I’ve never been particularly excited about Flanagan getting the job, but I think he’s probably next in line because of his experience. I love Jimmy Dymock but I’m just not sure this is the right time for him to get his first full time gig. Ditto Cameron Ciraldo - if he’s even an option. I don’t think this is the job for an assistant coming up