I prefer your response to the roster question than Ivan’s, but I would hope his players are more in tune with him than to respond negatively on game day to what was said in the interview.
Ivan’s been a successful coach. He wouldn’t have been employed in so many head coach roles if he wasn’t. Whilst I’m not writing off our chances this year, the loss last week hurt. It highlighted that priority number one for next year is an attacking coach. Melbourne and Roosters have good defensive head coaches in Bellamy and Robinson, and Cooper Cronk comparing the two outlined how both stuck with defence as their focus. Regarding Bellamy, he said something like “doesn’t leave his lane” or sticks with what he knows and leaves attack to those who enjoy and are better coaching attack. Ivan does coach defence well. He needs a better attacking assistant (sorry Wal). As voiced by someone earlier, if Luai is going to be our Thurston, Nathan could be our Cronk (or Smith)
Also, 100% trust Ivan over Raymond regarding the tunnel incident. His response to that question was very classy.
I don't understand this idea that he wouldn't have been given so many gigs if he wasn't a good coach.
This is rugby league we're talking about, it's one hell of a mates club, has been forever. Ivan himself admitted that it was his friendship with Gus that brought him to the panthers, it was his friendship with Pascoe that took him to the Tigers, and finally it was his friendship with Dave O'Neill that brought him back here.
The record shows he's not a successful coach. Sure, you can argue there's some mitigating circumstances for that. but the record itself is plain to see. He's had very limited success.
He's never won a Grand Final.
He's never finished higher than 4th spot on the ladder.
He's only twice been to the preliminary finals in his 12 seasons as a coach
He's been to the finals 5 times out of 12 seasons
His win record is 45%
I don't look at that and see success, I see very average results.
