Drained Smith quits Parramatta
Stuart Honeysett
May 16, 2006
BRIAN SMITH yesterday cited a lack of commitment behind his reasons to end a 10-year association with Parramatta amid revelations Tim Smith and Mark Riddell had turned up to training yesterday intoxicated.
The Eels' coach stunned the rugby league community yesterday by handing in his resignation, effective immediately.
The club has had a disastrous start to the season. One of the pre-season favourites after winning the minor premiership last year, Parramatta is languishing in 13th place on the competition ladder having won only two of nine games.
"I ask questions of players and staff every day about their level of commitment and whether they've got the energy and desire to do a tough job," Smith said.
"I ask myself that question every day and the answer was no this morning to myself so now's the right time for me to do what I've done."
The Australian understands halfback Smith and hooker Riddell turned up to training intoxicated yesterday after the club's loss to the Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium on Sunday.
The pair was sent home and could face further sanctions following a club investigation.
"Yes I have heard that," Eels' chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said last night.
"We are investigating that. I heard they were sent home from training."
When asked if it had anything to do with Smith's shock decision, Fitzgerald replied,"Not that I'm aware."
The disgraced pair's actions were hardly ideal preparation for a battling club which will be without Origin stars Nathan Hindmarsh, Timana Tahu and possibly Eric Grothe this week for the game against Penrith at Penrith Stadium on Friday night.
It is the latest controversy to hit the western Sydney club.
In mid-November Smith was told 2006 would be his last season.
Smith kept his silence while the club looked for a replacement, eventually settling on Newcastle's Michael Hagan. Ironically, Smith was eventually chosen as the Knights' new coach from 2007.
"The situation has been tough all season for even the circumstances about my own future and therefore the future of lots of players as well," Smith said.
"That's led to an environment I've not encountered before and, given the results on top of that, I just don't have the commitment level to do what needs to be done."
Smith, 52, who was the Eels' longest-serving coach, said he had informed the players of his decision first. He telephoned Hindmarsh who is in camp with NSW.
"I think there was a mix ... mainly they were stunned and that's probably a good thing because I don't think they sensed I was thinking about this," Smith said.
"It's a sad time and there'll be a few sad days ahead for me but they'll get on with it."
Smith, who took St George to successive grand finals in 1992 and '93 only to be trumped by Brisbane, had success in England before joining Parramatta in 1997.
Although he won the minor premiership twice in 2001 and 2005, the ultimate prize of a title eluded him - the closest the club came was the 2001 grand final which they lost to Newcastle.
"I wish we all could have won a comp together but I feel very pleased and proud of what we've achieved over that 10-year period," Smith said.
Assistant coach Jason Taylor, who is leaving the Eels next year to join Shaun McRae at South Sydney and was a contender for Smith's job until Newcastle's Michael Hagan was appointed, has been appointed caretaker coach for the rest of the season.
