Daley sinks under weight of booze bills
IN THE end it was the hefty bar bills from three team camps and a drinking culture that contributed to the downfall of Blues coach Laurie Daley and his State of Origin management staff.
Three weeks ago Daley’s position as NSW State of Origin coach was understood to be “safe”.
NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden had completed the review last week and recommended Daley be reappointed for 12 months.
Before he had a chance to present to the NSWRL board yesterday, the directors had made the decision themselves.
Chairman George Peponis had conducted his own investigation into costs during the team camps.
Invoices from The Star in Sydney and the Peppers Salt resort at Kingscliff on the NSW North Coast revealed thousands of dollars were spent on beer, wine and cocktails during the team camps.
There is no suggestion the players were involved in running up the huge bar bills. The coaching and management staff drank most evenings after training. According to sources, Mr Peponis was “horrified by the size of the bills”.
LAURIE Daley was left “shattered and devastated” at his shock sacking yesterday as NSW State of Origin coach.
The Weekend Bulletin can now reveal former Blues skipper Brad Fittler is at unbackable odds to replace Daley in 2018.
Daley felt confident he had the necessary support from the NSWRL board but several directors he trusted moved on him when under pressure during a six- hour board meeting yesterday. He was left blindsided. Just a month ago, the NSWRL board was supporting Daley.
While stunned and numb, Daley refused to be critical of the board and vowed yesterday to continue to help NSW.
Within hours of his termination, Daley was already being linked to a coaching career in the NRL.
Call it bad vibes or intuition, Daley felt a little uncomfortable about his future just a few days ago.
“It was a highlight of my career to be involved with Laurie Daley,” former NSW skipper Paul Gallen said.
“To win the 2014 series, sharing that moment with him, it was something I will never forget.”
Daley had spoken previously about standing down but baulked when told he would likely be offered a new deal.
Daley hadn’t even packed up his belongings from the NSWRL offices at Sydney Olympic Park before coaching candidates were being bandied about.
They include Fittler, John Cartwright, Des Hasler, Craig Fitzgibbon, Danny Buderus, Andrew Johns, Matthew Johns, Dean Pay, Geoff Toovey and Phil Gould.
Fittler has some heavyweight support on the NSWRL board and is a clear favourite.
Former NSW skipper Ben Elias spoke with Daley at length yesterday.
“Laurie was devastated, shattered. He was also very gracious,” Elias said. “He is a champion on and off the field.”
Asked who should be coach, Elias said: “Personally, I’d go with Freddie Fittler. He has respect.”
Former Balmain first grade coach and leading radio broadcaster Alan Jones let his feelings be known on social media, tweeting: “New South Wales can not do better than Laurie Daley.
“This is a DISGRACEFUL decision by the NSWRL.”
The NSWRL board said it would “conduct an organisational overhaul and restructure, which includes appointing a new coach”.
Daley’s manager, Steve Gillis, believes his client will now be inundated with interest from NRL clubs.