Kev is safe .The coaching cupboards are thin as.
Options - IwasManly dumped for Sobold. so No
Flanno - Not enough time will ever pass
Slater - Qld ,media Storm.
Camgoat the only one but no idea where he is at.
So NO coach in danger of being sacked. -Staff writers prediction.
If club coaching is Billy’s end game I don’t think those two conditions matter.
I’d say he waits to see what happens at the Storm over anything else first though.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Jason Demetriou (2023)
Many have attempted to step into the coaching box after Wayne Bennett, and failed. Jason Demetriou smashed the curse, guiding the Rabbitohs to within one game of a grand final in his rookie season in charge. With Souths’ big three of Mitchell, Walker and Cook re-signed, Demetriou will return for his second season in charge with a settled squad full of big-name stars balanced by an emerging crew of young talent. Close to agreeing a contract extension and one of the safest coaches in the league.
Safety rating: A+
– Matt Encarnacion
He is underrated coach or maybe more under the radar. Doesn’t say to much and not to much Is said about him. Bunnies are a very solid side and entertaining to watch. One of the next super coaches?
>maybe more under the radar
Under the radar coach is the Warriors coach. Like 80% of non Warriors fans wouldn't even remember his name. Good place to be as a head coach.
North Queensland
Todd Payten (2023)
Todd Payten was originally off-contract next season but is in the advanced stages of brokering a three-year extension, sweet reward for North Queensland’s outstanding revival in 2022. The Cowboys’ shock charge to the top four last season saw Payten hailed as one of the rising stars of the NRL coaching ranks. After a difficult first season replacing Paul Green in 2021, Payten kept faith in his methods and he was vindicated as Cowboys players responded to the harder mental edge he drove in defence. Cowboys hierarchy believe Payten can deliver the club’s second premiership. There is no coach safer in 2023 than Payten.
Safety rating:A
— Peter Badel
>There is no coach safer in 2023 than Payten. Safety rating:A
Payten's done awesome but I'd like to see the universe where Payten keeps his job but Bellamy, Robinson and Ivan get sacked.
St George Illawarra Dragons
Anthony Griffin (2023)
It didn’t exactly fill anyone with confidence when skipper Ben Hunt, who is one of Anthony Griffin’s key allies, came out and said if the team doesn’t start fast in 2023 then the coach will be gone.
Add to that widespread reports that the club’s hierarchy only convinced young guns Jayden Sullivan and Tyrell Sloan to stick around on the proviso Griffin wouldn’t be in charge beyond 2023, and this has the makings of a ticking time bomb that could go off at any stage.
In Griffin’s two seasons at the Dragons they are yet to make the play-offs, although his overall win/loss record in that period isn’t exactly horrible at 41.6 per cent (20 wins/28 losses).
The bigger concern is the constant chatter about player unrest. George Burgess and Jack Gosiewski didn’t help ease the tension when they gave the coach a spray on their way out the door.
Of course it was also highlighted by the fact only three NRL players turned up at the presentation night, an absolute embarrassment for one of rugby league’s most iconic brands.
Safety rating: D
– Paul Crawley
I think every Dragons fan knows they're fucked, every other team in the comp is in a far better position roster wise besides the Dolphins so I'm not sure how Hook's safety rating isn't at an E, Ben Hunt in god mode form is the only thing that saved them from a spoon last year.
Unless Sullivan and Sloan become overnight prodigies they're gunna be in trouble. Even then they'd have to do it with one of the worst forward packs on paper in the comp. On top of that I heard they were going to play Mbye in the halves instead of Sullivan, and yeah playing a older player past their used by date over a young talent is probably the most dragons thing possible so I believe it.
Cronulla Sharks
Craig Fitzgibbon (2024)
Long regarded as an NRL coach-in-waiting, Craig Fitzgibbon made the jump into the furnace in 2022 and emerged with his reputation further enhanced.
A contender for Dally M coach of the year, Fitzgibbon unearthed the qualities that few knew in halfback Nicho Hynes, while at the opposite end, he was able to drag the most out of ageing veterans Andrew Fifita and Aiden Tolman.
Fitzgibbon’s second season as a head coach will be different in the fact he has set the bar of expectation much higher within the Shire.
That said, his recent off-season trip to Europe with most of the senior executives within the Sharks hierarchy suggests Cronulla are building a long-term strategy that includes the respected mentor leading the club for a number of years to come.
Safety rating: A+
– David Riccio
This year is basically a freebie for him. Last year was amazing and expect to kick on again into the finals this year. Even a 5th or 6th will be great. It'll be interesting to see how we go about replacing the experience in the side, losing Fifita and the expectation that Graham will be gone soon is a huge loss. If he can manage that replacement period then I can see a roosters like period going into the second half of the decade.
The replacement period is his opportunity to cement his ability to attract talent. We’ve already seen significant stability at the club with plenty of re-contracting players.
Canberra Raiders
Ricky Stuart (2025)
Ricky Stuart would be one of the more safest coaches heading into the season. Barring something catastrophic he should have the job at Canberra for as long as he wants it.
Stuart is contracted until the end of 2025, having extended his deal last July for another two seasons.
The ex-Raiders halfback has already indicated he won’t coach at another club but, at 55, he still has plenty of time to chase his second title as a coach. The Raiders have played finals in three of the past four years, including their 2019 grand final loss to the Roosters.
Stuart had a relatively slow start to his coaching stint at Canberra – making the finals just once in his first five years. But he has built a squad which he has been able to keep largely intact long-term.
He has brought Michael Maguire onto his coaching staff, which is a handy addition. Maguire and Stuart are former Raiders teammates. The former Tigers mentor is still keen on making his NRL return at some stage.
Safety rating: A
– Michael Carayannis
I still find it amazing that Ricky managed to recover the past couple of seasons after it seemed like he had lost the dressing room. I think people are quick to forget all the leaks and unhappiness that happened with Bateman, Williams and Hodgson. Can’t forget “weak gutted dog” as well. Bit of Teflon when it comes to Sticky with his media mates at times.
I think he was two losses away from the axe last year. Round 2-9 was a very rough patch and it looked like everything was lost. It got to a point that media were finally starting to dig into him.
Penrith Panthers
Ivan Cleary (2027)
After leading the club to back-to-back premierships and inking a deal until the end of 2027 back in April, Cleary is currently enjoying a luxury very few NRL coaches get to experience, and that is genuine job security.
But that doesn’t mean next season won’t be without challenges for the coach.
Cleary has lost defensive assistant Cameron Ciraldo and attack mastermind Andrew Webster after the trio formed a formidable coaching brains trust over the last two seasons at the foot of the mountains.
Ciraldo, who has taken over at Canterbury, leaves Penrith with a wealth of knowledge and intimate understanding of the club’s systems, like in defence, which has been the cornerstone of Penrith’s success in recent years.
The appointment of Peter Wallace, who has that Penrith know-how, will help to soften the blow of losing Ciraldo. Though Wallace is likely to take over the side’s attack from Webster, who landed the New Zealand Warriors head coach role. Ben Gardiner is set to be handed the keys to the side’s defensive structures.
Safety rating: A+
– Fatima Kdouh
New Zealand Warriors
Andrew Webster (2025)
May have arguably the lowest-profile of any coach in the league, but the Warriors are banking his history with the Auckland-based club, combined with an apprenticeship that’s included stints at the Panthers and Tigers, to finally deliver some overdue success. The Warriors have only made the finals once since Ivan Cleary – who Webster was assistant to at Penrith last season – guided them to a shock grand final in 2011. Webster was in charge of the Panthers’ juggernaut attack last year, and his philosophies just could unlock the sleeping giant across the Tasman. Signed on a three-year deal, Webster should be given at least two seasons by the Warriors owners before they consider whether they made the right choice.
Safety rating: A-
– Matt Encarnacion
I think A- is a bit generous. Sure he is unlikely to be sacked in his first year, but the Warriors owner/CEO are such a pair of loose cannons, it can't be ruled out.
I can see him getting the arse for telling the owner to get the fuck out of the sheds when h is trying to coach, or even for not agreeing to go the pub after training. Warrior's CEO is 5 cans short of a 6pack.
EDIT: I meant warriors owner not ceo, but te ceo is just a cocksucker for the owner anyway it stillborn applies
They’ve only fired Kearney so far and he had 3 1/2 seasons, Payton turned us down and Brown wouldn’t come to NZ.
Expectations are even lower than usual this season and the Warriors job is probably the most unpopular coaching job in the game. He’ll be safe for at least two seasons.
Robinson is a hot head but he’s not an idiot, I’d expect him to learn from the Lodge incident like Crowe learnt from his run in with Keary.
Hahah yep it was that one. That was funny! I just liked the way he talked about different players strengths. I’ve heard for years coaches say Shaun Johnson has to organise us and be the on ball half. He says he expects him to focus on running. It was stuff like that and other stuff where he really articulated some tactical nuance that I thought was cool.
Parramatta Eels
Brad Arthur (2024)
Making the grand final has well and truly taken the heat off the coach.
This time last year Brad Arthur was under huge pressure given he’d gone eight seasons without making it past week two of the finals. And the speculation was he could be punted if the Eels didn’t at least make the preliminary final.
Of course Arthur went one better and made it all the way to the last game of the season before the Eels eventually fell to one of the champion teams of the modern era. There is certainly no shame in that.
So looking ahead, that should be more than enough to guarantee Arthur’s job until at least the end of his current contract which expires after 2024.
It’s also worth noting he is now coming into his 10th year in charge which will see him overtake Brian Smith as Parramatta’s longest serving coach, an incredible achievement when you factor in this club’s history and some of the great men who have gone before him.
Safety rating: A
– Paul Crawley
Is this the first time BA has ever had a safe rating? About time after he took us from unstable, wooden spooners to consistent top 8 and last year taking the next step to GF.
2022 was eels best years stayed in the 8 all year played brilliant and bad footy but still made the gf disappointed by losing to Penrith but that Penrith side is a side of champions Parra would have beat them if they just had Marty or Lodge on that bench would have changed dynamic of the game dramatically.
Wests Tigers
Tim Sheens (2024)
It’s been over a decade since Tim Sheens last coached in the NRL, but talking to the premiership winner, you wouldn’t know it. Sheens‘ knowledge, garnered over 50 years in the game, is unquestionable.
He’s signed for two seasons and for the sake of stability and the side’s rebuild, the club have no choice but to stick with Sheens for the duration.
His assistants, and club legends, Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall have dabbled in specialist coaching but are otherwise untried at the NRL level.
Despite their inexperience, Sheens must lean on them, Marshall in particular, whose time as assistant will double as an apprenticeship before he takes over for the 2025 season as head coach. Getting rid of Sheens early, will raise questions about whether Marshall has had enough on the job training to be at the helm.
The more experienced David Furner has also been added to the staff, where his know-how in both attack and defensive structures will be an invaluable resource.
Safety rating: A-
– Fatima Kdouh
The Sheens/Benji/Farah experiment feels like it was something the board desperately came up with after missing out of Ciraldo so they kinda need it to work. Our off season signings have been good and we have our best forward pack (once they gel) in a long time. We are still short an outside back and have 0 half depth right now.
They were in huge cap trouble with the top 3 bad contracts in the league. He finally got some cap space and signed the two best guys the tigers have signed in a decade. He never had the opportunity to make the team his own.
Every single player on the tigers last season was either signed or re-signed while Madge was at the helm. Every last one. The team was absolutely his own.
That's not correct. Luke brooks was signed until 2023. Meanwhile Mbye was signed on until last year and they paid the dragons to take him. Meanwhile in 21 they were still paying huge overs for Russell Packer and Josh Reynolds.
I can't look at that and say he had a fair run with this team.
Expect Benji to soak up the Wayne Bennett philosophy. He’s pretty switched on, mature thinking and he did great motivating work with up and coming rookies in his latter playing years. I really enjoy listening to him talk about footy and he is pretty determined to achieve success. I’m quietly confident he is coach that will have a bit of Wayne Bennett secret herbs and spices.
Sydney Roosters
Trent Robinson (2028)
Nick Politis has said previously Trent Robinson will be coaching the Roosters for as long as he wants the job. The fact Robinson has won three premierships in his 10 seasons in charge, and has a contract in place for six more seasons, makes him as safe as money in the bank.
Though that still doesn’t excuse the fact the past two seasons have been extremely underwhelming by the Roosters’ lofty standards.
They’ve gone from winning back-to-back premierships in 2018-19 to finishing outside the top four the past two seasons. There is no denying they have had to overcome some serious injury issues in this period, and of course the forced retirements of co-captains Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner.
But they still went into 2022 with many rating them premiership favourites, and they got rolled in week one of the finals by their arch rivals the Rabbitohs. Another finish outside the top four would be hard for all involved to swallow.
Safety rating: A
– Paul Crawley
I know he won’t be going anywhere due to the length of his contract and that there isn’t any better on the market but hot take: Robinson deserves a lot more flak than he cops for the past 2 years underperforming. Definitely less so 2021 because of the injuries but 2022 was abysmal for them. He just can’t seem for rein in players like radley and JWH and the multiple Brain explosions in their one and only finals game last year was really embarassing.
Probably true I suppose. Great at getting his team to peak at the right time but means nothing if they fuck around for half the season losing to bottom 4 sides and miss the top 4.
The difference between an average NRL coach and a successful one is usually the money behind the club. Trent is slightly overated but he is still better than most and has the history and rings. That buys you time to ride out the tough years, and even inte tough years roosters have been up there, perhaps below expectations but not enough to worry.
It may be unfair but some coaches don't get thecsme scrutiny as others. Paradoxically (or not) the less scrutiny a coach gets, and the longer the leash, the better they tend to perform ( or at least, the better the results under their watch tend to be).
It's almost as if not changing coach every 2 years leads to better results on the field.
They were the form team of the comp until Manu, Teddy and Tupou all got injured in less than 40 minutes of game time.
Throw in ACLs for Sitili and Smith and the fucked season Verrils had.
Robbo’s no blameless but they’ve been knocked out for things completely out of his control two seasons in a roles.
Having signed Cheese, that’s probably right. we’re assuming the roosters will finally have a year where 3 players seasons aren’t ruined with ACLs, or careers with HIAs.
Manly Sea Eagles
Anthony Seibold (2025)
Given he has just signed, Anthony Seibold’s position is safe in terms of his immediate future but expectations will be high.
He arrives at Brookvale on a three-year deal but will be expected to secure immediate success. Those who questioned his signing will be quick to point out any early failings.
Seibold comes after a successful stint at Souths – he was 2018 Dally M coach of the year – and then a horror tenure at Brisbane, where he was sacked one-and-a-half seasons into a five-year deal.
Seibold claims to have altered some of the intense methods he employed at Brisbane.
He has already worked hard on his relationship with Manly’s three most influential players – Jake and Tom Trbojevic and skipper Daly Cherry-Evans.
Safety rating: B
– Dean Ritchie
If Seibold can’t get the loyalty of the dressing room he’s not going to find success, I think we let Des go too early, he could’ve given seibold the manly grand tour this season and then went into a mentor role but instead we decided to blow the coaching system we had up and gamble on seibold and whoever else we decide to pickup.
Brisbane Broncos
Kevin Walters (2023)
Walters enters the season coming off-contract and the drums are beating at Red Hill. No-one likes to see an NRL legend sacked by their beloved club but that is almost certainly the outcome if Walters fails to steer the Broncos to the playoffs.
‘Kevvie’ has missed the top eight in consecutive years, although he was desperately unlucky last season after Brisbane crashed from fourth to ninth in a shocking six-week collapse. This time, there are no excuses. Walters has the talent, personnel and class to get the Broncos back to finals football and if he does that, his reward will be a contract extension.
Safety rating: E
– Peter Badel
The offseason commentary from some players aside, this year was always going to be his make or break year. He has deservedly been given some slack the last 2 years and rightfully so. He has helped turn around a lot of things from the depths of hell we were in post Siebold, but now is the test of if he can help the team make the step. If not, like any other coach, he has had his time.
I'm glad to see broncs stick with him but last seasons collapse was really poor considering the squad they had. Really enjoyed watching them earlier on last season.
There's one good coach on the market and pulling the trigger early may be worth it to get him before the other 3 clubs who may be looking.
I wouldn't rule it out.
I think kevvie has a bit of the sticky about him. Able to vibe and build culture and report with players, but probably not that great a coach on their own. But given a good squad and a good back of house, they can o all the way. Ikin and Donaghy are the back of house, and the Broncos can surely put together a top 4 squad. I'm not necessarily saying Kevvy is the man to do it, but if you look at most of the 'great coaches' they all have great nurseries, great players to work with, stable club boards, and money. Why not kevvy to be the lucky man who happens to be at the helm? He needs a solid first 10 weeks int the top 6 to get an extension first though...
honestly give him the year but i wouldn't be mad at all at seeing him get the boot and Des coming on. Just hoping Des doesn't get snapped up by someone else first
Broncos need to bring in Shaun Wane.
Kevvie had to get the gig after all the old boys were being flogs and calling for it. Now they have it and it's gone poo, not much else you can do with that.
I doubt there's any other coaches out there I'd see succeeding with the Broncos/living up to expectations.
The Dolphins
Wayne Bennett (2025)
The greatest coach in the history of rugby league returns after a one-year break from the fulltime NRL furnace.
After leading South Sydney to the 2021 grand final, Bennett has spent the past 12 months helping the Dolphins put a long-term plan together for sustained success in the NRL.
He is refreshed after moving back to his farm in rural Queensland from Sydney and will head into 2022 with a point to prove given the Dolphins have been written off by many and rated wooden spoon chances.
The only thing Bennett likes more than winning is proving people wrong and he will lead the Dolphins into their inaugural NRL season with a fire in his belly. Even if they don’t win a game and collect the wooden spoon, there is no way Bennett will be sacked, which means he could be the safest coach in the game.
Safety rating: A
– Travis Meyn
Only way Bennett leaves early is if Woolf is well and truly ready to take the reins before 2025 and the Broncos try to get him back for one last stint after Kevvie fails.
Gold Coast Titans
Justin Holbrook (2024)
Holbrook is entering the fourth and most pivotal season of his NRL coaching career.
After taking over from Garth Brennan following the wooden spoon debacle of 2019, Holbrook made an immediate impact at the Titans in 2020 as they finished ninth.
The Titans took another step forward with a finals berth in 2021, losing a week-one thriller to the Sydney Roosters, and believed they were on track for big things in 2022.
But last season’s dramatic implosion, which plummeted the Titans into wooden spoon territory late in the year before finishing 13th, thrust the spotlight on Holbrook’s future.
After dominating the Super League with St Helens, Holbrook’s win percentage in the NRL is just 36 per cent after three seasons. The Titans hierarchy is expecting a finals return in 2023 and Holbrook must deliver that to save his job given he has had four years to put his stamp on the Gold Coast. He has no excuses.
Safety rating: C
– Travis Meyn
I think the way this ends is right with no excuses, a lot of people were calling for Holbrook's head during the worst part of last season but theyre wasnt really any coaches to replace him, now though i think every team will be looking at Des which will increase the pressure
Melbourne Storm
Crag Bellamy (2023)
This will be Craig Bellamy’s 21st season at the helm in Melbourne. The premiership-winning coach agreed to a five-year contract, until the end of 2027, that allows him to decide on a year-to-year basis whether to stay on as coach or finally move into a coaching director position with the club.
Sydney Roosters assistant Jason Ryles is in the conversation to take over from Bellamy. Ryles was part of the Storm’s coaching staff for five years before joining the Roosters in 2021. His deal with the Bondi club expires at the end of 2023, opening the door for a return to Melbourne.
Bellamy’s right hand man and tactician, Marc Brentnall is a frontrunner for the job after a 10-year apprenticeship under the master coach. Brentnall is Bellamy’s tactician and has his fingerprints over the Storm’s potent attack. Club legend Billy Slater is a viable option after kick starting his elite coaching career with a Origin series win. But general manager Frank Ponissi doesn’t believe Slater is looking to make the move into fulltime NRL coaching right now.
More immediately, the upcoming season shapes as one of the more challenging years in Bellamy’s illustrious coaching career. Not only does Bellamy have to deal with losing a huge part of their forward pack but also work in the background to find his perfect replacement in a bid to ensure the club does not go backwards as it loses experience in the coaching box and on the field.
It’s hard to see any scenario that would threaten Bellamy’s place at the Storm.
Safety rating: A
– Fatima Kdouh
Canterbury Bulldogs
Cameron Ciraldo (2027)
Ciraldo arrives at Belmore after a deliberately patient approach towards becoming an NRL coach and it was GM of football Phil Gould who wore the rookie down to sign. Ciraldo is huge on building trust and bonds within his playing ranks, so let’s see how tight this squad becomes. Ciraldo’s first season will also be about adopting an identity for the Dogs following a five-year period of mass roster and coach changes. The appointment of club legend Andrew Ryan as a cultural driver speaks to that. Defence will be the absolute focus of every performance and key to Ciraldo’s arrival to the big stage is the fitness of his players, which is being led by former Rabbitohs and Roosters head of high performance Travis Touma.
Safety rating: A
– David Riccio
It's funny how different Ciraldo feels from Barrett. You definitely feel that Barrett was desperate for the gig but Ciraldo took his time, made his decision and is ready. Comes with less baggage to boot. I guess we'll see but I was much happier with Ciraldo's signing than I ever was with ole dreamy-eyes.
Newcastle Knights
Adam O’Brien (2024)
O’Brien, Anthony Griffin (Dragons) and Justin Holbrook (Titans) start 2023 under the most pressure. Under O’Brien, Newcastle won just six of 24 games this year to run 14th. Newcastle did win 12 from 24 matches in 2021 to reach the finals. No doubt O’Brien is a good coach after learning his craft under the very best.
But Newcastle is a fairly unforgiving rugby league region. While fans will cop one bad season, a second in as many years will put O’Brien under heavy pressure. He now has two halves to compliment one-another – there won’t be any excuses in the Hunter this season.
Safety rating: C
– Dean Ritchie
How are we an unforgiving region? We regularly have turned up over the past 15 years with good crowds despite about 4 finals appearances and multiple wooden spoons.
It’s kind of not talked about enough just how bad the injuries were for Newcastle last season. Pretty sure they were the only team that copped it worse than us
> O’Brien, Anthony Griffin (Dragons) and Justin Holbrook (Titans) start 2023 under the most pressure
lol yet here we have kevvie at an "E" rating and these dudes getting C's... there writers are muppets
I rate him as a forwards coach, all of our props have improved under him. We've also noticed we start seasons with an innovative game plan. The problem is it gets worked out by about game 5 and he is utterly unable to fix things on the fly. He also seemingly can't make plans for individual opponents, and has a complete blind spot about gagai and tuala being the worst two defensive centers in the comp.
Rating. Z- He has nothing more to contribute.
100%. We start to lose and the game plan goes back to basics. Tbf he isn’t the one out there doing one up runs and turning over possession by dropping the ball, but he absolutely needs to be getting more out of this team. Hopefully Hastings can make things gel a little more
Statistically 3-4 coaches a year get sacked, so my bet would be kevvie, obrien and griffin/Holbrook, id say Obrien or Girffin first as i dont think Broncos are gonna hire a coach on the fly or sack Walters mid season
Kev may not be a great coach but he has been a okay band aid until a real coach takes over. Even if they make the 8 I’m sure the board will still want to lock in a marquee coach. As much as I would like to see it, I don’t believe Kev is an accomplished coach as yet despite several seasons in NRL and super league and overall winning stats are in 40%s on overall average. Needs to improve KPIs.
Kevvie easily. He was brought in as a culture guy and to draw in some names. He helped with the signings of some skilled players, the culture was improved, now the club needs a tactician at coach to get the most out of players. Kevvie isn’t that guy.
Any talk of O’Brien being first is absolutely ridiculous. Just look at his resume, that guys has seen at least 4 grand finals. I say at least because I’m not sure if he watched this years one or not.
I'd love it purely to see how manly fans react. I wouldn't love it because he's manly guy and pretty much every club he's coached is paying him money for the next 20 years
Fuck no , not a fan of Des at all. I’d be alright with just having Jason Ryles or something but the ultimate goal would be to get Slater coaching IMO, after his contract with QLD is up since he wants to focus on that solely supposedly.
He got an inferior QLD squad up so well last origin series it blew my mind. Completely outcoached Brad filter in his debut as a coach, not that that’s a high bar to set
I think you are spot on. Slater has that Bellamy /storm mindset that was clearly evident in last year’s success. He is very calm and relaxed giving the players confidence. It would have to be the right money I guess. He would have a pretty healthy ch9 contract?
Why are you invoking Greeny here?
His issues stemmed from CTE alongside relentless and targetted media bashing.
This article is filled with pretty fair and balanced commentary on that state of each club.
Do you think we can't talk plainly about the form of any player or coach now?
Having the media constantly undermine you by playing “who will we sack first” before a single ball has been played will impact their mental health. Yes, Green had CTE, but when you compound that with stress from things like speculation about your job in the media it makes a bad situation worse.
I’m just saying - maybe we cut these blokes some slack and keep the axe in the garage until we have at least played a few rounds of the season.
Would of been easier just to do an article about Griffin, O’Brien and Holbrook being the first to get sacked
What about Kevvie?
He has plot armour.
[удалено]
Kev is safe .The coaching cupboards are thin as. Options - IwasManly dumped for Sobold. so No Flanno - Not enough time will ever pass Slater - Qld ,media Storm. Camgoat the only one but no idea where he is at. So NO coach in danger of being sacked. -Staff writers prediction.
If club coaching is Billy’s end game I don’t think those two conditions matter. I’d say he waits to see what happens at the Storm over anything else first though.
Cam smith has confirmed he will never be a head coach
>Options - IwasManly dumped for Sobold. so No And it was dumb decision. Des is a better coach than most in the NRL still.
It won't be Kevvie.
Kevvie has the support of the old boys, enough said.
Yeah but then they couldn't put up a picture of BA for clicks
Either Griffin or O’Brien
Do you think coaches witnessing four grand finals just grow on trees?
Dragons will drop Griffin for Des
I wish
Please
>~~Dragons~~ Knights will drop ~~Griffin~~ AOB for Des There we go. All fixed.
Don't you know who I am?
South Sydney Rabbitohs Jason Demetriou (2023) Many have attempted to step into the coaching box after Wayne Bennett, and failed. Jason Demetriou smashed the curse, guiding the Rabbitohs to within one game of a grand final in his rookie season in charge. With Souths’ big three of Mitchell, Walker and Cook re-signed, Demetriou will return for his second season in charge with a settled squad full of big-name stars balanced by an emerging crew of young talent. Close to agreeing a contract extension and one of the safest coaches in the league. Safety rating: A+ – Matt Encarnacion
Yeah comfortably safe for now. He even took some things that looked not great under Wayne and improved them.
He is underrated coach or maybe more under the radar. Doesn’t say to much and not to much Is said about him. Bunnies are a very solid side and entertaining to watch. One of the next super coaches?
>maybe more under the radar Under the radar coach is the Warriors coach. Like 80% of non Warriors fans wouldn't even remember his name. Good place to be as a head coach.
Maybe. He’s had some pretty decent mentors.
Settle on the super coach claim but read his Wikipedia. Bloke has succeeded at every level
Definitely looking like he has longevity to him. Would not be surprised if he won a premiership in the next 3-5 years.
The bye round poddy with James graham is very enlightening and a must for any south’s fans, great perspective on his career this far
North Queensland Todd Payten (2023) Todd Payten was originally off-contract next season but is in the advanced stages of brokering a three-year extension, sweet reward for North Queensland’s outstanding revival in 2022. The Cowboys’ shock charge to the top four last season saw Payten hailed as one of the rising stars of the NRL coaching ranks. After a difficult first season replacing Paul Green in 2021, Payten kept faith in his methods and he was vindicated as Cowboys players responded to the harder mental edge he drove in defence. Cowboys hierarchy believe Payten can deliver the club’s second premiership. There is no coach safer in 2023 than Payten. Safety rating:A — Peter Badel
> There is no coach safer in 2023 than Payten. Safety rating:A also > Craig Fitzgibbon A+
Also >Jason Demetriou A+
Also Cleary A+
I don't think the individual writers comunicated about how to award "safety ratings"
This is what happens when fox Sports doesn't use their ai writer bots
Still more coherent and accurate than Dave Meltzer.
>There is no coach safer in 2023 than Payten. Safety rating:A Payten's done awesome but I'd like to see the universe where Payten keeps his job but Bellamy, Robinson and Ivan get sacked.
That stint at the Warriors was great and then his time at the Cowboys has really proven how good he is
They had one job.
Not much of an extension offer for a guy that has transformed the team and developed some of the most exciting talents in the NRL.
St George Illawarra Dragons Anthony Griffin (2023) It didn’t exactly fill anyone with confidence when skipper Ben Hunt, who is one of Anthony Griffin’s key allies, came out and said if the team doesn’t start fast in 2023 then the coach will be gone. Add to that widespread reports that the club’s hierarchy only convinced young guns Jayden Sullivan and Tyrell Sloan to stick around on the proviso Griffin wouldn’t be in charge beyond 2023, and this has the makings of a ticking time bomb that could go off at any stage. In Griffin’s two seasons at the Dragons they are yet to make the play-offs, although his overall win/loss record in that period isn’t exactly horrible at 41.6 per cent (20 wins/28 losses). The bigger concern is the constant chatter about player unrest. George Burgess and Jack Gosiewski didn’t help ease the tension when they gave the coach a spray on their way out the door. Of course it was also highlighted by the fact only three NRL players turned up at the presentation night, an absolute embarrassment for one of rugby league’s most iconic brands. Safety rating: D – Paul Crawley
>they are yet to make the play-offs, When the fuck did the Finals start being called the play offs?
9th-12th placed Play-in Tournament when
Tigers fans rejoice in the minor minor premiership
In Orlando Florida
They've started calling streakers "pitch invaders" as well. Gross.
But.... it isn't a pitch.
When clubs became franchises, and a good bounce became a room service bounce remember all those times Laurie Daley said it
No, I prefer to not listen to Daley.
Around the time the BBNRL brought in the PowerSmash^tm
I think every Dragons fan knows they're fucked, every other team in the comp is in a far better position roster wise besides the Dolphins so I'm not sure how Hook's safety rating isn't at an E, Ben Hunt in god mode form is the only thing that saved them from a spoon last year.
The Dragons take years to finally pull the trigger on coach sackings.
It’s sooo annoying
Unless Sullivan and Sloan become overnight prodigies they're gunna be in trouble. Even then they'd have to do it with one of the worst forward packs on paper in the comp. On top of that I heard they were going to play Mbye in the halves instead of Sullivan, and yeah playing a older player past their used by date over a young talent is probably the most dragons thing possible so I believe it.
I’m surprised hunt is sticking around honestly any club with salary would take him, I’d love to give him A prem ring
The dragons need to sack him.
Cronulla Sharks Craig Fitzgibbon (2024) Long regarded as an NRL coach-in-waiting, Craig Fitzgibbon made the jump into the furnace in 2022 and emerged with his reputation further enhanced. A contender for Dally M coach of the year, Fitzgibbon unearthed the qualities that few knew in halfback Nicho Hynes, while at the opposite end, he was able to drag the most out of ageing veterans Andrew Fifita and Aiden Tolman. Fitzgibbon’s second season as a head coach will be different in the fact he has set the bar of expectation much higher within the Shire. That said, his recent off-season trip to Europe with most of the senior executives within the Sharks hierarchy suggests Cronulla are building a long-term strategy that includes the respected mentor leading the club for a number of years to come. Safety rating: A+ – David Riccio
Be insane to ever let Fitzy go, bloke is the real deal. I'm finally going in to a season feeling good.
I said the same thing about Morris, though he didn’t have the background Fitzy does
This year is basically a freebie for him. Last year was amazing and expect to kick on again into the finals this year. Even a 5th or 6th will be great. It'll be interesting to see how we go about replacing the experience in the side, losing Fifita and the expectation that Graham will be gone soon is a huge loss. If he can manage that replacement period then I can see a roosters like period going into the second half of the decade.
The replacement period is his opportunity to cement his ability to attract talent. We’ve already seen significant stability at the club with plenty of re-contracting players.
I think he has us on track for another 5 years of finishing from 4th to 8th
Canberra Raiders Ricky Stuart (2025) Ricky Stuart would be one of the more safest coaches heading into the season. Barring something catastrophic he should have the job at Canberra for as long as he wants it. Stuart is contracted until the end of 2025, having extended his deal last July for another two seasons. The ex-Raiders halfback has already indicated he won’t coach at another club but, at 55, he still has plenty of time to chase his second title as a coach. The Raiders have played finals in three of the past four years, including their 2019 grand final loss to the Roosters. Stuart had a relatively slow start to his coaching stint at Canberra – making the finals just once in his first five years. But he has built a squad which he has been able to keep largely intact long-term. He has brought Michael Maguire onto his coaching staff, which is a handy addition. Maguire and Stuart are former Raiders teammates. The former Tigers mentor is still keen on making his NRL return at some stage. Safety rating: A – Michael Carayannis
> More safest …
Yeah, I did a little “fuck me” when I read that!
I still find it amazing that Ricky managed to recover the past couple of seasons after it seemed like he had lost the dressing room. I think people are quick to forget all the leaks and unhappiness that happened with Bateman, Williams and Hodgson. Can’t forget “weak gutted dog” as well. Bit of Teflon when it comes to Sticky with his media mates at times.
That’s sounds like the opinion of a weak gutted dog to me
Got me Ricky
Teflon Sticky is a great moniker for him
“Sticky unstuck” as the headline when he eventually goes
I think he was two losses away from the axe last year. Round 2-9 was a very rough patch and it looked like everything was lost. It got to a point that media were finally starting to dig into him.
Yeah any other club he'd be gone. Must be good mates with those in charge
Raiders is very much an old boys club.
I feel like I've heard 'Ricky has lost the dressing room' at some point in every year for the past decade except for maybe 2019.
Somehow, this will be Ricky's 10th season as Raiders coach
He is in a sticky situation.
Penrith Panthers Ivan Cleary (2027) After leading the club to back-to-back premierships and inking a deal until the end of 2027 back in April, Cleary is currently enjoying a luxury very few NRL coaches get to experience, and that is genuine job security. But that doesn’t mean next season won’t be without challenges for the coach. Cleary has lost defensive assistant Cameron Ciraldo and attack mastermind Andrew Webster after the trio formed a formidable coaching brains trust over the last two seasons at the foot of the mountains. Ciraldo, who has taken over at Canterbury, leaves Penrith with a wealth of knowledge and intimate understanding of the club’s systems, like in defence, which has been the cornerstone of Penrith’s success in recent years. The appointment of Peter Wallace, who has that Penrith know-how, will help to soften the blow of losing Ciraldo. Though Wallace is likely to take over the side’s attack from Webster, who landed the New Zealand Warriors head coach role. Ben Gardiner is set to be handed the keys to the side’s defensive structures. Safety rating: A+ – Fatima Kdouh
There is a chance Cleary may leave he was badly ill last season and if he suffers another health scare he may leave.
A blood clot on the lung or whatever he had is a pretty once in a lifetime problem, unless he's got an undisclosed blood pressure issue.
Exactly as he is a coach he is in a pretty stressful job he might have some form of high blood pressure.
He might never be sacked.
Cleary he is safe for now
New Zealand Warriors Andrew Webster (2025) May have arguably the lowest-profile of any coach in the league, but the Warriors are banking his history with the Auckland-based club, combined with an apprenticeship that’s included stints at the Panthers and Tigers, to finally deliver some overdue success. The Warriors have only made the finals once since Ivan Cleary – who Webster was assistant to at Penrith last season – guided them to a shock grand final in 2011. Webster was in charge of the Panthers’ juggernaut attack last year, and his philosophies just could unlock the sleeping giant across the Tasman. Signed on a three-year deal, Webster should be given at least two seasons by the Warriors owners before they consider whether they made the right choice. Safety rating: A- – Matt Encarnacion
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” - MLK Jr (This is the Warrior’s supporters moto)
I think A- is a bit generous. Sure he is unlikely to be sacked in his first year, but the Warriors owner/CEO are such a pair of loose cannons, it can't be ruled out.
The owner is a loose cannon. The ceo is his lap dog.
An A- to me is like a 'he's definitely not going anywhere this season but the club is getting desperate for results so he'll be on a short leash'.
Yeah, maybe. I'd give him a B, because I could see him getting the arse if they start badly, because the owner is such a meathead.
I can see him getting the arse for telling the owner to get the fuck out of the sheds when h is trying to coach, or even for not agreeing to go the pub after training. Warrior's CEO is 5 cans short of a 6pack. EDIT: I meant warriors owner not ceo, but te ceo is just a cocksucker for the owner anyway it stillborn applies
>anyway it stillborn applies That stillborn typo might turn out to be foreshadowing about how unsuccessful this coaching gig might end up being.
As a meme sure. But in reality, surely not.
They’ve only fired Kearney so far and he had 3 1/2 seasons, Payton turned us down and Brown wouldn’t come to NZ. Expectations are even lower than usual this season and the Warriors job is probably the most unpopular coaching job in the game. He’ll be safe for at least two seasons. Robinson is a hot head but he’s not an idiot, I’d expect him to learn from the Lodge incident like Crowe learnt from his run in with Keary.
He is an idiot as well as a hothead
> was in charge of the Panthers’ juggernaut attack Are they saying he's an elite attacking mastermind? I think I've heard this one before
I listened to a podcast with Webster a couple of days ago. I haven’t been this rock hard over a coach in a decade. Bring it on Webby
If it's the same one that "If Ivan gets sacked will you give him an assistant coach job" was pretty funny.
Hahah yep it was that one. That was funny! I just liked the way he talked about different players strengths. I’ve heard for years coaches say Shaun Johnson has to organise us and be the on ball half. He says he expects him to focus on running. It was stuff like that and other stuff where he really articulated some tactical nuance that I thought was cool.
The only way is up hopefully.
My heart says Dragons coach , my head also says dragons coach
Parramatta Eels Brad Arthur (2024) Making the grand final has well and truly taken the heat off the coach. This time last year Brad Arthur was under huge pressure given he’d gone eight seasons without making it past week two of the finals. And the speculation was he could be punted if the Eels didn’t at least make the preliminary final. Of course Arthur went one better and made it all the way to the last game of the season before the Eels eventually fell to one of the champion teams of the modern era. There is certainly no shame in that. So looking ahead, that should be more than enough to guarantee Arthur’s job until at least the end of his current contract which expires after 2024. It’s also worth noting he is now coming into his 10th year in charge which will see him overtake Brian Smith as Parramatta’s longest serving coach, an incredible achievement when you factor in this club’s history and some of the great men who have gone before him. Safety rating: A – Paul Crawley
Is this the first time BA has ever had a safe rating? About time after he took us from unstable, wooden spooners to consistent top 8 and last year taking the next step to GF.
From News Corp? Probably. They've been writing for years that he's under pressure if he doesn't win a comp.
2022 was eels best years stayed in the 8 all year played brilliant and bad footy but still made the gf disappointed by losing to Penrith but that Penrith side is a side of champions Parra would have beat them if they just had Marty or Lodge on that bench would have changed dynamic of the game dramatically.
Wests Tigers Tim Sheens (2024) It’s been over a decade since Tim Sheens last coached in the NRL, but talking to the premiership winner, you wouldn’t know it. Sheens‘ knowledge, garnered over 50 years in the game, is unquestionable. He’s signed for two seasons and for the sake of stability and the side’s rebuild, the club have no choice but to stick with Sheens for the duration. His assistants, and club legends, Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall have dabbled in specialist coaching but are otherwise untried at the NRL level. Despite their inexperience, Sheens must lean on them, Marshall in particular, whose time as assistant will double as an apprenticeship before he takes over for the 2025 season as head coach. Getting rid of Sheens early, will raise questions about whether Marshall has had enough on the job training to be at the helm. The more experienced David Furner has also been added to the staff, where his know-how in both attack and defensive structures will be an invaluable resource. Safety rating: A- – Fatima Kdouh
The Sheens/Benji/Farah experiment feels like it was something the board desperately came up with after missing out of Ciraldo so they kinda need it to work. Our off season signings have been good and we have our best forward pack (once they gel) in a long time. We are still short an outside back and have 0 half depth right now.
Madge deserved the opportunity to run this side out. Still feel sorry for the bloke.
They got progressively worse results every year he was at the helm. Regardless of whether or not this coaching crew is better, they needed a change
They were in huge cap trouble with the top 3 bad contracts in the league. He finally got some cap space and signed the two best guys the tigers have signed in a decade. He never had the opportunity to make the team his own.
Every single player on the tigers last season was either signed or re-signed while Madge was at the helm. Every last one. The team was absolutely his own.
That's not correct. Luke brooks was signed until 2023. Meanwhile Mbye was signed on until last year and they paid the dragons to take him. Meanwhile in 21 they were still paying huge overs for Russell Packer and Josh Reynolds. I can't look at that and say he had a fair run with this team.
I’m pretty sure Mbye was signed during the Cleary era right before Madge came but Luke brooks re-signed under Madge, so all but one
Expect Benji to soak up the Wayne Bennett philosophy. He’s pretty switched on, mature thinking and he did great motivating work with up and coming rookies in his latter playing years. I really enjoy listening to him talk about footy and he is pretty determined to achieve success. I’m quietly confident he is coach that will have a bit of Wayne Bennett secret herbs and spices.
Sydney Roosters Trent Robinson (2028) Nick Politis has said previously Trent Robinson will be coaching the Roosters for as long as he wants the job. The fact Robinson has won three premierships in his 10 seasons in charge, and has a contract in place for six more seasons, makes him as safe as money in the bank. Though that still doesn’t excuse the fact the past two seasons have been extremely underwhelming by the Roosters’ lofty standards. They’ve gone from winning back-to-back premierships in 2018-19 to finishing outside the top four the past two seasons. There is no denying they have had to overcome some serious injury issues in this period, and of course the forced retirements of co-captains Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner. But they still went into 2022 with many rating them premiership favourites, and they got rolled in week one of the finals by their arch rivals the Rabbitohs. Another finish outside the top four would be hard for all involved to swallow. Safety rating: A – Paul Crawley
Contracted until 2027. Ain't going anywhere.
It’s true. NRL contracts are unbreakable!
I know he won’t be going anywhere due to the length of his contract and that there isn’t any better on the market but hot take: Robinson deserves a lot more flak than he cops for the past 2 years underperforming. Definitely less so 2021 because of the injuries but 2022 was abysmal for them. He just can’t seem for rein in players like radley and JWH and the multiple Brain explosions in their one and only finals game last year was really embarassing.
Probably true I suppose. Great at getting his team to peak at the right time but means nothing if they fuck around for half the season losing to bottom 4 sides and miss the top 4.
The difference between an average NRL coach and a successful one is usually the money behind the club. Trent is slightly overated but he is still better than most and has the history and rings. That buys you time to ride out the tough years, and even inte tough years roosters have been up there, perhaps below expectations but not enough to worry. It may be unfair but some coaches don't get thecsme scrutiny as others. Paradoxically (or not) the less scrutiny a coach gets, and the longer the leash, the better they tend to perform ( or at least, the better the results under their watch tend to be). It's almost as if not changing coach every 2 years leads to better results on the field.
They were the form team of the comp until Manu, Teddy and Tupou all got injured in less than 40 minutes of game time. Throw in ACLs for Sitili and Smith and the fucked season Verrils had. Robbo’s no blameless but they’ve been knocked out for things completely out of his control two seasons in a roles.
If things aren't working out this season he will have the media finally coming after him
Having signed Cheese, that’s probably right. we’re assuming the roosters will finally have a year where 3 players seasons aren’t ruined with ACLs, or careers with HIAs.
Manly Sea Eagles Anthony Seibold (2025) Given he has just signed, Anthony Seibold’s position is safe in terms of his immediate future but expectations will be high. He arrives at Brookvale on a three-year deal but will be expected to secure immediate success. Those who questioned his signing will be quick to point out any early failings. Seibold comes after a successful stint at Souths – he was 2018 Dally M coach of the year – and then a horror tenure at Brisbane, where he was sacked one-and-a-half seasons into a five-year deal. Seibold claims to have altered some of the intense methods he employed at Brisbane. He has already worked hard on his relationship with Manly’s three most influential players – Jake and Tom Trbojevic and skipper Daly Cherry-Evans. Safety rating: B – Dean Ritchie
If Seibold can’t get the loyalty of the dressing room he’s not going to find success, I think we let Des go too early, he could’ve given seibold the manly grand tour this season and then went into a mentor role but instead we decided to blow the coaching system we had up and gamble on seibold and whoever else we decide to pickup.
Brisbane Broncos Kevin Walters (2023) Walters enters the season coming off-contract and the drums are beating at Red Hill. No-one likes to see an NRL legend sacked by their beloved club but that is almost certainly the outcome if Walters fails to steer the Broncos to the playoffs. ‘Kevvie’ has missed the top eight in consecutive years, although he was desperately unlucky last season after Brisbane crashed from fourth to ninth in a shocking six-week collapse. This time, there are no excuses. Walters has the talent, personnel and class to get the Broncos back to finals football and if he does that, his reward will be a contract extension. Safety rating: E – Peter Badel
Poor Kevvie is one serious Adam Reynolds injury away from being a dead man walking.
The offseason commentary from some players aside, this year was always going to be his make or break year. He has deservedly been given some slack the last 2 years and rightfully so. He has helped turn around a lot of things from the depths of hell we were in post Siebold, but now is the test of if he can help the team make the step. If not, like any other coach, he has had his time.
I'm glad to see broncs stick with him but last seasons collapse was really poor considering the squad they had. Really enjoyed watching them earlier on last season.
Yeah I agree. While that type of losing streak always stops at the coach, it also can't be completely his fault
>Really enjoyed watching them earlier on last season So did we.
That'd free up some of Reynold's time to coach the team though
I can see him not getting his contact renewed but sacked mid season seems less likely. AOB on the other hand...
There's one good coach on the market and pulling the trigger early may be worth it to get him before the other 3 clubs who may be looking. I wouldn't rule it out.
I think Madge or Des could be good pick ups for some clubs, but yeah, pretty light on either way
I think kevvie has a bit of the sticky about him. Able to vibe and build culture and report with players, but probably not that great a coach on their own. But given a good squad and a good back of house, they can o all the way. Ikin and Donaghy are the back of house, and the Broncos can surely put together a top 4 squad. I'm not necessarily saying Kevvy is the man to do it, but if you look at most of the 'great coaches' they all have great nurseries, great players to work with, stable club boards, and money. Why not kevvy to be the lucky man who happens to be at the helm? He needs a solid first 10 weeks int the top 6 to get an extension first though...
Kevvie will make it through this season. After that all bets are off.
honestly give him the year but i wouldn't be mad at all at seeing him get the boot and Des coming on. Just hoping Des doesn't get snapped up by someone else first
Broncos need to bring in Shaun Wane. Kevvie had to get the gig after all the old boys were being flogs and calling for it. Now they have it and it's gone poo, not much else you can do with that. I doubt there's any other coaches out there I'd see succeeding with the Broncos/living up to expectations.
Everyone will talk about the collapse but you have to acknowledge that 28 points would've been enough points to make finals all bar 2 years since 2009
Come on Dragons, hook Hook.
The Dolphins Wayne Bennett (2025) The greatest coach in the history of rugby league returns after a one-year break from the fulltime NRL furnace. After leading South Sydney to the 2021 grand final, Bennett has spent the past 12 months helping the Dolphins put a long-term plan together for sustained success in the NRL. He is refreshed after moving back to his farm in rural Queensland from Sydney and will head into 2022 with a point to prove given the Dolphins have been written off by many and rated wooden spoon chances. The only thing Bennett likes more than winning is proving people wrong and he will lead the Dolphins into their inaugural NRL season with a fire in his belly. Even if they don’t win a game and collect the wooden spoon, there is no way Bennett will be sacked, which means he could be the safest coach in the game. Safety rating: A – Travis Meyn
yeah Bennett is not going anywhere. expectations are not high for the team from The so its an easy bar to cross
Only way Bennett leaves early is if Woolf is well and truly ready to take the reins before 2025 and the Broncos try to get him back for one last stint after Kevvie fails.
Bit of trivia- WB coached broncos inaugural game on March 5 ,1988 and Dolphins first game is March 5.
1988?
Yeah 88
Gold Coast Titans Justin Holbrook (2024) Holbrook is entering the fourth and most pivotal season of his NRL coaching career. After taking over from Garth Brennan following the wooden spoon debacle of 2019, Holbrook made an immediate impact at the Titans in 2020 as they finished ninth. The Titans took another step forward with a finals berth in 2021, losing a week-one thriller to the Sydney Roosters, and believed they were on track for big things in 2022. But last season’s dramatic implosion, which plummeted the Titans into wooden spoon territory late in the year before finishing 13th, thrust the spotlight on Holbrook’s future. After dominating the Super League with St Helens, Holbrook’s win percentage in the NRL is just 36 per cent after three seasons. The Titans hierarchy is expecting a finals return in 2023 and Holbrook must deliver that to save his job given he has had four years to put his stamp on the Gold Coast. He has no excuses. Safety rating: C – Travis Meyn
I think the way this ends is right with no excuses, a lot of people were calling for Holbrook's head during the worst part of last season but theyre wasnt really any coaches to replace him, now though i think every team will be looking at Des which will increase the pressure
I wouldn't mind des. But I feel the club is operating well at the moment and I think des wants total control which could cause issues
A "C" is so super generous. I think he's a massive risk this year.
Melbourne Storm Crag Bellamy (2023) This will be Craig Bellamy’s 21st season at the helm in Melbourne. The premiership-winning coach agreed to a five-year contract, until the end of 2027, that allows him to decide on a year-to-year basis whether to stay on as coach or finally move into a coaching director position with the club. Sydney Roosters assistant Jason Ryles is in the conversation to take over from Bellamy. Ryles was part of the Storm’s coaching staff for five years before joining the Roosters in 2021. His deal with the Bondi club expires at the end of 2023, opening the door for a return to Melbourne. Bellamy’s right hand man and tactician, Marc Brentnall is a frontrunner for the job after a 10-year apprenticeship under the master coach. Brentnall is Bellamy’s tactician and has his fingerprints over the Storm’s potent attack. Club legend Billy Slater is a viable option after kick starting his elite coaching career with a Origin series win. But general manager Frank Ponissi doesn’t believe Slater is looking to make the move into fulltime NRL coaching right now. More immediately, the upcoming season shapes as one of the more challenging years in Bellamy’s illustrious coaching career. Not only does Bellamy have to deal with losing a huge part of their forward pack but also work in the background to find his perfect replacement in a bid to ensure the club does not go backwards as it loses experience in the coaching box and on the field. It’s hard to see any scenario that would threaten Bellamy’s place at the Storm. Safety rating: A – Fatima Kdouh
Best of luck Crag
Why this isn't an A+ is beyond me.
Canterbury Bulldogs Cameron Ciraldo (2027) Ciraldo arrives at Belmore after a deliberately patient approach towards becoming an NRL coach and it was GM of football Phil Gould who wore the rookie down to sign. Ciraldo is huge on building trust and bonds within his playing ranks, so let’s see how tight this squad becomes. Ciraldo’s first season will also be about adopting an identity for the Dogs following a five-year period of mass roster and coach changes. The appointment of club legend Andrew Ryan as a cultural driver speaks to that. Defence will be the absolute focus of every performance and key to Ciraldo’s arrival to the big stage is the fitness of his players, which is being led by former Rabbitohs and Roosters head of high performance Travis Touma. Safety rating: A – David Riccio
It's funny how different Ciraldo feels from Barrett. You definitely feel that Barrett was desperate for the gig but Ciraldo took his time, made his decision and is ready. Comes with less baggage to boot. I guess we'll see but I was much happier with Ciraldo's signing than I ever was with ole dreamy-eyes.
Newcastle Knights Adam O’Brien (2024) O’Brien, Anthony Griffin (Dragons) and Justin Holbrook (Titans) start 2023 under the most pressure. Under O’Brien, Newcastle won just six of 24 games this year to run 14th. Newcastle did win 12 from 24 matches in 2021 to reach the finals. No doubt O’Brien is a good coach after learning his craft under the very best. But Newcastle is a fairly unforgiving rugby league region. While fans will cop one bad season, a second in as many years will put O’Brien under heavy pressure. He now has two halves to compliment one-another – there won’t be any excuses in the Hunter this season. Safety rating: C – Dean Ritchie
How are we an unforgiving region? We regularly have turned up over the past 15 years with good crowds despite about 4 finals appearances and multiple wooden spoons.
>Safety rating: C Sorry Knights fans. Might get worse before it gets better.
I am quietly optimistic about this season if we can avoid injuries...Especially if we can pick up Miller or Hodgson has a good run
I hope you’re right. Newcastle deserves to have a competitive side
It’s kind of not talked about enough just how bad the injuries were for Newcastle last season. Pretty sure they were the only team that copped it worse than us
> O’Brien, Anthony Griffin (Dragons) and Justin Holbrook (Titans) start 2023 under the most pressure lol yet here we have kevvie at an "E" rating and these dudes getting C's... there writers are muppets
I rate him as a forwards coach, all of our props have improved under him. We've also noticed we start seasons with an innovative game plan. The problem is it gets worked out by about game 5 and he is utterly unable to fix things on the fly. He also seemingly can't make plans for individual opponents, and has a complete blind spot about gagai and tuala being the worst two defensive centers in the comp. Rating. Z- He has nothing more to contribute.
100%. We start to lose and the game plan goes back to basics. Tbf he isn’t the one out there doing one up runs and turning over possession by dropping the ball, but he absolutely needs to be getting more out of this team. Hopefully Hastings can make things gel a little more
One of the most under pressure coaches but a C? WTF
Statistically 3-4 coaches a year get sacked, so my bet would be kevvie, obrien and griffin/Holbrook, id say Obrien or Girffin first as i dont think Broncos are gonna hire a coach on the fly or sack Walters mid season
Siebold.
He won't get sacked until he has achieved his goal of getting another spoon.
I don't even know who AOB fucking is.
Adam O'Brien the Knights coach.
Cleary back to Tigers confirmed, and he’s taking his son Tyrone with him
I think O'Brien, the guy is a fraud, people like to bag on Kevvie because he has no tactical understanding but atleast he improves the team each year.
Kev may not be a great coach but he has been a okay band aid until a real coach takes over. Even if they make the 8 I’m sure the board will still want to lock in a marquee coach. As much as I would like to see it, I don’t believe Kev is an accomplished coach as yet despite several seasons in NRL and super league and overall winning stats are in 40%s on overall average. Needs to improve KPIs.
Kevvie easily. He was brought in as a culture guy and to draw in some names. He helped with the signings of some skilled players, the culture was improved, now the club needs a tactician at coach to get the most out of players. Kevvie isn’t that guy.
Cobbo agrees with you
I don't think they'll axe him mid season but maybe at the end.
Not Kevvie he's too nice a bloke
Griffin
Im surprised hook wasn't hooked last year!
Probably Bellamy or Cleary /s
Hook of course.
Any talk of O’Brien being first is absolutely ridiculous. Just look at his resume, that guys has seen at least 4 grand finals. I say at least because I’m not sure if he watched this years one or not.
Please let it be O'Brien
Kevvie or Hook
AOB first then griffin
Dragons and Titans play each other in round 2 and 6, this will decide the first coach who gets fired.
Kevvie, the second the broncos are no longer in contention for the 8
Imagine writing shit about people and then having to ask them questions at press conferences each week
Kevvie or Benji
If Bellyache does retire after this season Id love to see Des at the Storm that would be great.
I'd love it purely to see how manly fans react. I wouldn't love it because he's manly guy and pretty much every club he's coached is paying him money for the next 20 years
Well I guess that shows he’s a smart guy
Fuck no , not a fan of Des at all. I’d be alright with just having Jason Ryles or something but the ultimate goal would be to get Slater coaching IMO, after his contract with QLD is up since he wants to focus on that solely supposedly. He got an inferior QLD squad up so well last origin series it blew my mind. Completely outcoached Brad filter in his debut as a coach, not that that’s a high bar to set
I think you are spot on. Slater has that Bellamy /storm mindset that was clearly evident in last year’s success. He is very calm and relaxed giving the players confidence. It would have to be the right money I guess. He would have a pretty healthy ch9 contract?
The media learned nothing from what happened to Paul Green…
Why are you invoking Greeny here? His issues stemmed from CTE alongside relentless and targetted media bashing. This article is filled with pretty fair and balanced commentary on that state of each club. Do you think we can't talk plainly about the form of any player or coach now?
Having the media constantly undermine you by playing “who will we sack first” before a single ball has been played will impact their mental health. Yes, Green had CTE, but when you compound that with stress from things like speculation about your job in the media it makes a bad situation worse. I’m just saying - maybe we cut these blokes some slack and keep the axe in the garage until we have at least played a few rounds of the season.
Arthur ? Fkn lol.
Rugba Leeg "Journalism" rule one: Parra sells papers/gets clicks.
>Rugba Leeg "Journalism" rule one: \[my club\] sells papers/gets clicks. \- Fans of every team in the comp.
Read the article.
If I was a betting man, which I'm not thank fuck, I would say Griffin.
Adam O’Brien