How Demetriou went from groundsman to replacing supercoach
TEN years after he made his start as a player-coach and makeshift groundsman, Jason Demetriou has one of the biggest jobs in rugby league and faces the unenviable task of replacing the greatest coach of all time.
Coaching the Rabbitohs, and the pressure, scrutiny and expectation that comes with it – let alone following in Wayne Bennett’s footsteps – will be no easy task.
But Demetriou is a proven winner – his record over the past 10 years proves it, starting in Keighley, West Yorkshire, the home of the Cougars.
He had his start with the Cougars in 2011 after a career in Super League, and was not only the player-coach.
“Jason was out there on the roller, rolling the pitch before games. You come from Super League where it’s full-time and there’s a groundsman and the kitman and all of those, but at Keighley he had to mark the lines on the field,” said Sam Obst, who played under him for the Cougars.
“It definitely would have been an eye-opener, but maybe it’s a good building block as well – it would instil good values.”
Keighley was promoted to the second division for 2012, with Demetriou hanging up the boots, and he steered the Cougars to a mid-table finish before returning to Australia as coach of Queensland Cup side, and Cowboys feeder club, the Northern Pride.
His time with the Pride was spectacular, winning 78 per cent of his matches over two seasons.
From there, the Demetriou joined Paul Green’s staff at North Queensland in 2015, where he played a vital role in the club’s maiden premiership.
“He was outstanding. His knowledge of the game and his man-management stood out to me,” said grandfinal-winning prop Ben Hannant.
“I think he’s the next big coach who will do great things in the NRL.”