Almost no NRL coach is safe
The NRL coaching merrygo-round is spinning out of control, with few clipboard-holders safe. Penrith’s brutal sacking of Anthony Griffin is just the beginning, with the future of up to half a dozen coaches set to be decided in coming months. Everyone is waiting for the next domino to fall in what will cause a chain reaction throughout the league.
Here is the latest on the men in the spotlight.
Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett’s future at Manly appears untenable after informing the club he won’t be in for the long haul. It appears to be a ploy from his manager, Wayne Beavis, to orchestrate a payout.
Beavis is privately maintaining
Barrett hasn’t got another job lined up, but the pair are too savvy to walk away from Brookvale unless there is somewhere else to go. The latest rumour had him working alongside Ricky Stuart at Canberra, but that has been strongly denied.
A return to Penrith is a logical next step, although Panthers supremo Phil Gould has categorically ruled it out.
Contract status: Signed to Manly until the end of 2020.
Wayne Bennett
His time at Brisbane appears to be coming to an end after a spectacular fallout with chief executive Paul White. However, Bennett will not go quietly and is expected to coach on, whether it be at Red Hill or in Sydney.
There has been scuttlebutt about him joining
Parramatta, but that won’t happen.
More likely destinations are the Panthers or a return to the Dragons. A straight swap with Anthony Seibold at Souths can’t be discounted.
Contract status: Signed to Brisbane until the end of 2019.
Ivan Cleary
Has declared, in unconvincing fashion, that it is his intention to see out the remaining two years of his Wests Tigers contract.
Cleary’s desire to coach son
Nathan, as well as an approach from
Penrith, has clouded his future.
He has complained about ‘‘misinformation’’ regarding his intentions, but refuses to take questions on whether he will return to the foot of the mountains when – or even before – his contract expires. Even if the Panthers appoint a coach for next year, it will likely be viewed as a stop-gap solution until Cleary comes onto the open market.
Contract status: Signed to Wests Tigers until the end of 2020.
Shane Flanagan
Another Wayne Beavis client who comes off contract next season. The fact he hasn’t been able to hammer out a contract extension with Cronulla raises speculation he could be on the move. Stocks are high after leading Sharks to their maiden title and has proven a shrewd negotiator, as evidenced by his happy knack of picking up quality players on the cheap. His son,
Kyle, is a gun halfback ready to make the step up to first grade, providing a potential package deal for interested parties.
Has history at Parramatta, which could be a home pending Brad Arthur’s results next year.
Contract status: Signed to Cronulla until 2019.
Anthony Seibold
In the running for coach-ofthe-year honours after getting his career off to a flying start at South Sydney. Brisbane have identified him as the man to replace Wayne Bennett, who is on the outer.
The Rabbitohs have attempted to extend his contract and most rookie coaches would jump at the chance to secure their futures.
However, his decision to put the
Bunnies on ice is viewed as a chance to explore his options at the Broncos, depending on when Bennett finishes up.
Stocks could rise higher still if Souths win the premiership.
Michael Maguire
When Ivan Cleary was unemployed, he was considered the next cab off the rank for clubs looking for a coach. That baton has now been passed onto Maguire. He’s a premiershipwinning coach, is in charge of the
New Zealand national team and a big chance of returning to the NRL as soon as next year.
Made the decision not to return to the Super League in the belief he will get his chance again locally and now has to wait for the right opportunity. Has been linked to Manly, although the club has distanced itself from the speculation. Could be an opening for ‘Madge’ at Eels, Panthers, Dragons or Broncos soon.
Contract status: uncontracted to an NRL club, signed to the Kiwis.
Paul McGregor
Has a year to run on his Dragons deal, but the pressure is on after yet another late-season fade. There is already speculation about Wayne Bennett returning to the Red V and will need a strong finals campaign to secure his position.
The club is going through an ownership change, further clouding the direction it is heading. Has a strong roster at his disposal, but is given little credit for assembling it after he was cut out of the retention and recruitment loop. Likely to struggle to find a head coaching role elsewhere when he finishes at the Dragons.
Contract status: Signed to the Dragons until the end of next year.
Des Hasler
Has two premierships and boasts an excellent 58 per cent winning percentage over a long period of time. However, his reputation has taken a hit after he left Manly and Canterbury in salary cap disarray.
With Trent
Barrett seemingly on the way out,
Hasler has been linked to a return to the
Sea Eagles.
Has traditionally come with a big price tag – one that would be baulked at by Manly’s owners – but can’t command top dollar after a messy exit from Belmore. A strong personality, a trait that could be a turn-off for prospective employers.
Contract status: Not currently signed to an NRL club.
The rest
There’s strong mail that Storm assistant Adam O’Brien, the latest clipboard holder to roll off the Melbourne production line, will become an assistant to Trent Robinson at the Roosters. Geoff Toovey and John Cartwright are potential contenders should the Manly position arise, with the latter also having strong links to Penrith. Neil Henry could be a relatively cheap option for the Sea Eagles or any other club, while Todd Payten will be pitched up should Ivan Cleary leave the Tigers. The fact Payten is managed by Isaac Moses could hurt his chances at the Tigers, given the the club fell out with the agent over the negotiations ‘big four’.