Chris Anderson to help Stephen Kearney at Parramatta Eels

[Gronk]

Chris Anderson to help Stephen Kearney at Parramatta Eels

• BY:BRENT READ
• From:The Australian
• June 29, 2012 12:00AM

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Parramatta Eels NRL coach Stephen Kearney is under pressure at the club. Picture: Adam Yip Source: The Daily Telegraph



TWO-TIME premiership winning coach Chris Anderson is on the verge of a return to the NRL after being offered an opportunity to work alongside Stephen Kearney at Parramatta - a move that scuppers speculation of a coaching change at the club.

Kearney and Anderson won a premiership together at Melbourne in 1999 and it is understood the Eels' coach has been the driving force in negotiations to hire his former mentor.
Parramatta officials were tight-lipped last night but The Australian understands an announcement could be just days away provided the parties can strike an agreement. Should that happen, it would be a remarkable return for Anderson, who has been out of the NRL since resigning as Sydney Roosters coach 16 games into the 2007 season.
While Kearney will remain head coach, it is understood Anderson will act as a mentor and help ease the burden.
His arrival will also douse speculation about Kearney's future.
The New Zealand Test coach has one year remaining on his contract and there have been suggestions that the club would part ways with its coach at the end of the season, or even sooner.
That now appears highly unlikely, although Kearney will need to end this year well and enjoy a flying start next season to ensure his stay at Parramatta is long-term.
His cause will be helped by Anderson's arrival.
As well as leading the Storm to a premiership, Anderson coached Canterbury to a title in 1995 before stints at Cronulla and the Roosters. He also enjoyed a very successful tenure as Australia coach, losing only three games during his five years in charge of the Kangaroos. He has kept his toe in the water in recent years through occasional media commitments and work with the NSW Legends.
One of Anderson's first duties will be to help Kearney extract the best out of star recruit Chris Sandow, who has had a horrid first season at the club.
With Kearney armed with reinforcements and his future secure, focus will switch to coaches at other clubs feeling the pinch, most notably those at Canberra, St George Illawarra and the Sydney Roosters.
Blues coach Ricky Stuart, off contract with the NSW Rugby League at the end of the year, had been linked with Parramatta but he appears more likely to return to Canberra next season in some capacity.
Stuart has also been linked with the Dragons and the Roosters, where coach Brian Smith is under increasing pressure after a frightful dip in form that has resulted in the team winning only two of its past nine games.
While Stuart has been associated with a return to the club, it is understood the Roosters have a high opinion of Smith's former assistant, Trent Robinson, who is currently coaching French club Catalans in Super League.
The Roosters have also been associated with a big-money move for Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy when his current contract expires at the end of next season.
As for the Dragons, their coach Steve Price laughed off speculation over his future this week, insisting he had the support of the club and of its chief executive, Peter Doust.
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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...-parramatta-eels/story-fnca0von-1226411516676

 

[Maroubra Eel]

Who will be senior? Ando or Kearney?

 

[IFR33K]

Anderson returned to the nrl after a few years absence, and proved to be a nutcase.

I don't know what he can bring to the table at this stage.

Atleast we are looking to be doing something though.

 

[Parra]

Single marker defence here we come

 

[spiderdan]

If this does happen I'm not sure what to make of it.

On one side, ca was the person that brought in that ineffective one marker strategy at roosters and couldn't win a game with them and it took him quitting and brad fittler of all people to get them winning again for a bit.

On the othe side ca was also the one who said talked about playing his forwards up at the line using short interchange passing as a strategy, which is what hassled has adopted well at bulldogs.

........

 

[yy_cheng]

Do we get kimmorley?

 

[yy_cheng]

Don't see the point of 1 marked it means the guy has to get up and run back to the line and waste energy

 

[Gronk]

Dumb move if true. He's got nothing to offer IMHO.

If Kearney's workload is too much, then he needs to delegate or put on another assistant to lessen the burden.

If Kearney is to be answerable to him, then I can't see that being anything but disruptive.

#stoopid

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Can't see any problem with anderson coming on as an assistant - you don't win two premierships if you can't coach and he did ok at the sharks. Yeah his time at roosters was not the best but don't forget tim Sheens had an unforgettable time at the cowboys before coming back bigger and better with the tigers.

His time with aust shows he can work with strong personalities. Actually I reckon it could work out quite good, experienced operater who has done everything in the game.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Dumb move if true. He's got nothing to offer IMHO.

If Kearney's workload is too much, then he needs to delegate or put on another assistant to lessen the burden.

If Kearney is to be answerable to him, then I can't see that being anything but disruptive.

#stoopid

Why? If Kearney is still in charge and anderson is only his assistant what is the problem ? He is an experienced premiership winning coach so he must know something.

 

[hineyrulz]

What a suprise, the usual supects having a whinge :roll: Most of you wanted something done to help Kearney now you have a whinge............

I'd much rather this option than that overated myth Stuart.

 

[Gronk]

What a suprise, the usual supects having a whinge :roll: Most of you wanted something done to help Kearney now you have a whinge............

No most of this Board wanted him sacked.

I'd much rather this option than that overated myth Stuart.

What would you say Chris Anderson's reputation is in the Rugby League circles ? I'd say that his reputation is that of a man who failed in his last few NRL coaching positions and even when he was the Aus coach the public had a very poor opinion of his capabilities.

You honestly think he's the best man for the job ?

 

[Ratchy]

Dumb move if true. He's got nothing to offer IMHO.

If Kearney's workload is too much, then he needs to delegate or put on another assistant to lessen the burden.

If Kearney is to be answerable to him, then I can't see that being anything but disruptive.

#stoopid

The side is dead last...how could things get worse?

 

[Twizzle]

so he won a premiership 13 years ago

are we headed forwards or backwards ?

 

[Maroubra Eel]

If he's just going to be another assistant coach I can't see a problem. Worth a shot.

 

[Gronk]

The side is dead last...how could things get worse?

They can't get worse I agree. But it's not about avoiding rock bottom. It's about becoming competitive again and I have my doubts that bringing in Anderson is best answer for our club. IMHO the coach has refused help in the past, so if it is forced upon him then it will be under duress. If reluctantly accepted by SK, then again I doubt that he has the skillset to bring us out of the mire.

 

[hineyrulz]

No most of this Board wanted him sacked.

What would you say Chris Anderson's reputation is in the Rugby League circles ? I'd say that his reputation is that of a man who failed in his last few NRL coaching positions and even when he was the Aus coach the public had a very poor opinion of his capabilities.

You honestly think he's the best man for the job ?

He lost only 3 games as Aussie coach, better record than Ricky the great sure he struggled at the Roosters but to be fair he was struggling with some health issues and he did take over a mess from you guessed it Ricky the messiah. But he is a two time premiership winning coach and while probably not my first choice is a better option than Ricky the f**kwit.

I think Kearney has struggled but really i'd rather him see out his contract with someone to help him like Anderson than rush out and sign the first coach on the market. There are only 3 coaches i would sack him early for and they are all under lock and key.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

No most of this Board wanted him sacked.

What would you say Chris Anderson's reputation is in the Rugby League circles ? I'd say that his reputation is that of a man who failed in his last few NRL coaching positions and even when he was the Aus coach the public had a very poor opinion of his capabilities.

You honestly think he's the best man for the job ?

He failed at the roosters but before that he was successful with the sharks, storm, dogs and aust. What is a reputation previous suggestions to help out included Taylor whose reputation is not the best after his southd gig and posters have mentioned Brian smith and his reputation is seen as a choker.

Is he the best option ? No but the best options are coaching. And any option not coaching such Stuart would not take this type of role . While others like graham Murray well I can't see how he is any better or worse than Anderson .

 

[Joshuatheeel]

so he won a premiership 13 years ago

are we headed forwards or backwards ?

Tim sheen won a premiership in 1993 and took him another 12 years.

Other options mentioned have not even won a premiership after 20 years of trying ( brian smith / graham Murray)

 

[Gronk]

He lost only 3 games as Aussie coach, better record than Ricky the great sure he struggled at the Roosters but to be fair he was struggling with some health issues and he did take over am ess from you guessed it Ricky the messiah. But he is a two time premiership winning coach and while probably not my first choice is a better option than Ricky the f**kwit.

I think Kearney has struggled but really i'd rather him see out his contract with someone to help him like Anderson than rush out and sign the first coach on the market. There are only 3 coaches i would sack him early for and they are all under lock and key.

Nice whinge about Ricky, but I don't see anyone around here really banging the drum for his appointment.

I'm glad you agree that Kearney has struggled. I have said all along that he needs a mentor (that is if they won't sack him), but as you said about appointing the first coach that comes along - I would not be appointing Anderson just because he's the only one available.

Clearly Spag's angle is that SK & Anderson go way back and SK has respect for him. That's a great ice breaker, but that does not mean that Anderson is the right man to give the right advice.