Bennett announcement today: quitting Knights

[rainman44]

It's funny how some of us think Mary should do an apprenticeship under Bennett but I have a feeling all this white-anting from within might just see Mary out the door again, IF we are fortunate enough to sign Bennett.
Today we have a director from Illawarra, O'Connor, telling the media that Mary is a great candidate to lead our club into the future !
Who has the most to lose if Bennett is appointed? Why is a board member now discussing his views with the media?
How come we have press articles, although untrue, making up stories about Bruce Gordon and WIN Corporation and a loan? More lies and untruths.
In the same week we are attacked for a reputed $3m offer to Bennett whilst apparently asking for an advance from the NRL.
Some posters had Mary starring as Judas in Price's demise. This behaviour doesn't sit well with me and there's a rat in the ranks, from the Illawarra side I feel, trying to make sure we miss out on Bennett.

:thumb THIS

 

[Gomarchin]

Some posters had Mary starring as Judas in Price's demise. This behaviour doesn't sit well with me and there's a rat in the ranks, from the Illawarra side I feel, trying to make sure we miss out on Bennett.

Yeah I got the feeling Mary did Price no favours at all.

There really is something about Mary that doesn't sit well with me....

 

[Dragonboyd]

Not surprised he's from the Illawarra side, a little soft in the head.

 

[getsmarty]

With clowns like this on the board, no wonder we saw Price get the extension and the Club drop to the bottom group in the NRL. It's obvious that the Club should do all it can to sign Bennett for the next 3 years.

Mary is a rookie and no matter how good a player he's been, Mary still needs to prove his coaching credentials over a longer period. With Bennett, we already know our Club finances will improve and our team will be very competitive again.

If the Club holds Mary in such high esteem, the obvious move should be to appoint Bennett as head coach with Mary as assist. Let Mary understand he will be offered the head coach position in 3 years time.

Well said. After watching Bennett on the Footy show tonight, I was reminded what a "Class Act" the bloke is. We would be stupid to not go all out to get him.

 

[GT0007]

Yeah I got the feeling Mary did Price no favours at all.

There really is something about Mary that doesn't sit well with me....

If he was involved he did us a favour, seriously you can't bag him for doing something about Price if that was the case. It wouldve been especially hard as they are friends. I'd be surprised if the board didn't have enough as we had been flogged by 30pts or more 3 weeks in a row and had lost 7/8 I think so someone had to do something. We were looking at the wooden spoon after missing the finals already 2yrs in a row? There's no conspiracy needed lol.

However there does seem to be something going on from the Illawarra side and the media creating drama and it does seem that someone is trying to sabotage the Bennett signing. I doubt its coming from Mary though. There are probably some people that think its too much money for Bennett and question his recent results. There has been plenty of discussion on here about it.

I think Bennett is too astute to buy into all that rubbish and will do whats right for him. All this crap will see Mary punted if Bennett signs though so whoever is behind it doesnt get the repercussions. We will only have Bennett for 3yrs tops if he signs and we need a coach to take over and Mary fits the bill.

I also wish they'd stop interviewing players ffs what are they sposed to say? Do they upset their current coach or their potential future coach. I hope this doesnt prove to be a distraction before the Manly game.

 

[Coffs dragon]

Well said. After watching Bennett on the Footy show tonight, I was reminded what a "Class Act" the bloke is. We would be stupid to not go all out to get him.

I agree and it was a reminder how much Bennett is such a legend of a man & mentor both off and on the field. If anyone was heading into battle, you would want this bloke as your General ! Never knock or under estimate a champion and Bennett is the best. Get him Dragons...!!

 

[BennyV]

Well said. After watching Bennett on the Footy show tonight, I was reminded what a "Class Act" the bloke is. We would be stupid to not go all out to get him.

This times a million. It highlights how invested he gets in his team and players, and the mutual respect he has with the players individually. I hope we are doing everything possible to get him here.

 

[j0nesy]

I can't believe some people, in particular Knights fans are complaining about the 1.5 mil NRL grant to Dragons and the Dragons play at Bennett. How much do they think it has/will cost to bail out Newcastle? I have a feeling Noyce was bitching and speculating about this a few months back in the tele, could be wrong.

These anti-Illawarra and anti-Mary conspiracy theories aren't helpful. It's by and large a media beat up - no doubt Dragons have had a tough year financially but we've got the brand and assets to recover. Mary has done a good job as coach since taking over from Price, and looks to have potential as a top grade coach, but Bennett is one of the greatest coaches ever. That twit of a board member should have shut his mouth shut (keep those comments for the boardroom) and let this coaching saga play out.

I have confidence that the club will do its due diligence before making Bennett an offer, and a coach like Bennett will have a positive influence on revenue.

 

[Willow]

the joint venture’s foundation captain

He was our inaugural captain

They seem to have omitted that he was actually the JV's co-captain, along with Nathan Brown.

Talk about trying to re-write history.

And Sean, "our" inaugural captain was Herb Gilbert Snr, thank you very much

 

[gregstar]

wasn't it coyneslot & jowls?

 

[Willow]

No, not officially. Mark Coyne was still contracted in 1999 but was injured and this probably contributed to a form slump. He fought his way back into first grade in 1999 before hanging up the boots. One of my all time favourites, but the captaincy wasn't his to have that year.

You'll have to help me with 'Jowls'.

 

[Elias1983]

Question I asked in JA and wanted to get everyone's opinion here...

If we miss out on bennett and potter becomes available...

Potter over mary?

 

[Cagey Mac]

Question I asked in JA and wanted to get everyone's opinion here...

If we miss out on bennett and potter becomes available...

Potter over mary?

IMO yes but by degrees rather than as an absolute preference
Mary has yet to rule himself either in or out and his strategies have proven to be pretty good so far. I've always been a Potter fan.

 

[bottle]

Pottor and Benji have history.
Benchi might not be a happy chappy.

 

[Rob Dragon]

I have been sitting back watching and listening to all the commentary about Bennett. Firstly I will believe it when I see it in terms of Bennett coming to us. He plays this intrigue game better than anyone; "will he, won't he".

I think he is perfectly suited to take on the Titans job. Close to home and a decent squad that has lost its way. With a pack including Myles, Bird, Taylor, Minichello and decent halves in Kelly and Seizer he would do well. A big pack like that would play "Bennett-ball" pretty well.

I don't favour having a 64 year old on a three year deal join us. What happens when he goes? Where is the continuity plan?

To me it sounds like Wayne's last pension and I personally would prefer someone else.

I love what he did for the club but those days are done and dusted.

 

[kit66]

Yeah I got the feeling Mary did Price no favours at all.

There really is something about Mary that doesn't sit well with me....

Hail Mary !!

 

[Slippery Morris]

What is this conspiracy with Mary. Did he tell the players to play terrible under Price? Did he make all Prices selections? WTF? I suppose he wanted to put Dugan at centre but did not tell Price in case the experiment went well and Price got the credit? As if Price would have made the switch anyway. He would have tried AuMau at centre before Duges.

Saints are playing good footy and it is no conicidence that it is because a. Price is gone and b. McGregory has come in and the players are responding better to his coaching methods. Saints have had 5 or so good weeks. Be happy don't go looking for negatives ffs.

If Bennett comes in it will be a bonus, if not Mary would be a good choice I would not be to upset. Not as much as when Saints announced the extension of Price. Now that was a black day in the Dragons history. Can't watch another Anzac day game again since. Hopefully Mary can bring another Saints great as his assistant next season in Trent Barrett. He is doing good things at the Panthers apparently.

 

[giboz71]

What is this conspiracy with Mary. Did he tell the players to play terrible under Price? Did he make all Prices selections? WTF? I suppose he wanted to put Dugan at centre but did not tell Price in case the experiment went well and Price got the credit? As if Price would have made the switch anyway. He would have tried AuMau at centre before Duges.

Saints are playing good footy and it is no conicidence that it is because a. Price is gone and b. McGregory has come in and the players are responding better to his coaching methods. Saints have had 5 or so good weeks. Be happy don't go looking for negatives ffs.

If Bennett comes in it will be a bonus, if not Mary would be a good choice I would not be to upset. Not as much as when Saints announced the extension of Price. Now that was a black day in the Dragons history. Can't watch another Anzac day game again since. Hopefully Mary can bring another Saints great as his assistant next season in Trent Barrett. He is doing good things at the Panthers apparently.

I'm tending to agree with you.

If Bennett came, fantastic, his record speaks for itself. As a man manager and being able to eek every bit of ability from his players, he is second to none. He would instantly make our team better.

But I'm not sure whether the modern game has passed him by (tactically that is). I keep thinking about our sweep play at the end of 2011, we kept going to that even if teams had learnt to defend it....we couldn't adjust. And his record with Newcastle doesn't instill me with confidence.

Preferably I would prefer something in between Mary and Bennett. They are two extremes, one a rookie, the other completely old school. I've always liked the idea of an experienced coach but one who's open to fresh ideas. Someone like a Neil Henry or a Daniel Anderson would do nicely.

But it's anyone's guess what will happen next year......

 

[GT0007]

What is this conspiracy with Mary. Did he tell the players to play terrible under Price? Did he make all Prices selections? WTF? I suppose he wanted to put Dugan at centre but did not tell Price in case the experiment went well and Price got the credit? As if Price would have made the switch anyway. He would have tried AuMau at centre before Duges.

Saints are playing good footy and it is no conicidence that it is because a. Price is gone and b. McGregory has come in and the players are responding better to his coaching methods. Saints have had 5 or so good weeks. Be happy don't go looking for negatives ffs.

If Bennett comes in it will be a bonus, if not Mary would be a good choice I would not be to upset. Not as much as when Saints announced the extension of Price. Now that was a black day in the Dragons history. Can't watch another Anzac day game again since. Hopefully Mary can bring another Saints great as his assistant next season in Trent Barrett. He is doing good things at the Panthers apparently.

+1

 

[Slippery Morris]

I am hearing alot of good things about Barrett and Tallis mentioned that Mary/Barrett combo in the coaching ranks for Saints next season may be a better option than Bennett. We have all been burnt with Price and can understand people preferring Bennett to Mary but Price took a quality side that made finals to #$ite. Mary has taken a side that was deadset pathetic at best to being competitive. Saints were a laughing stock before Mary joined so he has allready impressed me. Lets see how he goes now with the crucial part of the season where all teams are stepping up to make finals.

But I agree as per above, Bennett with Mary as assistant will be the ideal choice. As long as Mary is retained. McGregor mentioned earlier that he would welcome Bennett so it may have allready been discussed.