Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter could be back training the team on Monday without knowing whether he has a job for next season.
Potter made a presentation to the new Wests Tigers board on Wednesday night but no decision has been made on his bid for a contract extension as directors work through constitutional issues that will determine whether Balmain representatives have a vote on coaching appointments beyond this year
While it is understood the board spoke of their respect for the job Potter has done in difficult circumstances during his two-year tenure at Concord, the fact they have not offered him a new deal has led some to believe a decision has been made to look elsewhere for a coach.
However, directors are expected to make a decision on whether Potter is the right man for the job before considering alternatives and as the former Catalans, St Helens and Bradford mentor remains contracted to the club until October 31 he is likely to be in charge when players return to training on Monday after a week-long break since their final match of the season against Cronulla last Saturday.
Assistant coaches Todd Payten and David Kidwell, who are believed to be contenders for Potter's job if the board decides to sack him, are also contracted until October 31.
After failing to make the finals, the NRL squad - or those who are fit enough to take part - will resume training on Monday until the club's grand final lunch on October 3 at Le Montage in Lilyfield, with the focus on testing ahead of next season.
Luke Brooks, James Tedesco, Tim Simona, David Nofoaluma, Keith Galloway, Dene Halatau, Keith Lulia, Tim Moltzen, Braith Anasta and Liam Fulton were all unavailable for the match against the Sharks because of injury.
It is unclear how long the board will take to decide who to appoint as coach for next season.
Wests Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer said he had been instructed to provide a bland statement on the position decided upon at Wednesday night's board meeting.
"The board agreed last night there will be a process put in place and there will be no further comment in regards to what that is or when it is supposed to conclude," Mayer said.
The meeting gave Potter an opportunity to address the board, which is comprised of independent directors Marina Go, Rosemary Sinclair and Lucio Di Bartolomeo and two representatives each from Wests and Balmain, about his plans for the Tigers if given the opportunity to continue coaching at the club.
He has not previously had the opportunity to appoint his own staff or been given any significant control over the club's roster.
Despite the uncertainty over who will coach the Tigers next season, several players have been told they are free to consider other offers, while the club has been linked to Gold Coast's Brad Takairangi.
While Melbourne are also reportedly interested in Takairangi, a New Zealand Rugby League media release announcing players selected in the Kiwis train-on for the upcoming Four Nations listed his club as Wests Tigers.
Moltzen, fullback Kurtis Rowe, props Jack Buchanan and Nathan Brown, hooker Joel Luani have all been advised they can look elsewhere for next season but the Tigers will honour their contracts if they choose to stay.
Second-rower Bodene Thompson is among a handful of other players off contract, while Anasta, Fulton and Cory Paterson have retired.
The Tigers have also advertised for the newly created job of general manager of football, which is a position at most AFL clubs and would be similar to the role filled by Rodney Eade at Collingwood.
It is understood there have already been a high number of applicants.
Meanwhile, the Tigers remain keen to keep utility Blake Austin and do not plan to release him, despite his desire to join Canberra next season.
Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-of-future-20140911-10flxq.html#ixzz3D4DarBOy
So perhaps I'm onto something suggesting that Potter had nothing to do with Koroibete leaving.
