It's the effort that a coach and the players combined need to put in to improve the Dragons.
More effective effort will go a long way.
The coach needs control. He determines how the team as a whole needs to play as a team in all facets of the game. He needs to understand in depth the rules and regulations and know how to bend or tweak a few. He has got to be able to do good analysis of the opposition, set winning game plans after establishing strengths and weaknesses of opposition teams. He needs to be a strong motivator and mentor and be understanding and prepared to listen to the players and other assistants.
Rookie coaches have to start from scratch when they go from assistants to the head coach. They all did at one stage of their careers - the likes of Bellamy being an assistant under Bennett is an example of so many. Those former assistant coaches that show ability like Fitzy, Webster, Ciraldo etc got their chances and are doing pretty good so far. Some are so so and some not able to get a head coaching gig, but they are the breaks in sport.
I sense that the Dragons have been working on a replacement for some time and hopefully they are almost to the point that they have made a decision. That decision would be a really hard one to make and they would need to have fall back options on the basis that the first choice might change his mind. Who they select and eventually sign up on whatever deal that best suits the club and the future coach is so important as I'm sure that any further failings will see the Joint Venture more than a laughing stock and there will be no chance of any resurrection.
Ryles I think is still umming and arring. I don't know if Hasler has even been approached. Flanno has said he hasn't been approached, Hornby is doing well as Demetriou's assistant and to me they will make the grand final so it's hard to see him leaving Souths just to be an assistant. Maybe he could be the one that the Board has in mind to go for. Dean Young, I'd leave out. I've seen a Ryles/Hornby/Young combination possibility which could work, but there are too many agendas in getting all three at once.
I just hope that the Board knows what they are doing and who they are after and will get. Don't create another mess for heavens sake.
Some really good insights.
Coaches can fail for many reasons. When I was looking at the stats, only two coaches seemed to have been in the groove for a long time. The rest of them are in the pack, and Hook was not bringing up the rear.
Rookie coach comes in with all his plans and ideas but some important players don’t buy in, injuries, suspensions, failures in recruiting, pretty much anything is possible and if you are bound for 5 years, you’ve got pay out issues and strife.
There’s just no guarantees in league, except maybe Bellamy and Bennett. Relatively speaking I think Bennett is better as he has travelled and taken a lot more risks.
Ciraldo has already proven the 5 year deal is shaky. He should be doing a bit better with that squad.
I read the moaning on from Crawley, Mary and Tallis etc, but they’ve gotta understand, you are where you are. You can’t turn back the clock and change anything. Their own experiences count for nothing. Mary is still whinging the club sent in helpers when he couldn’t cope. What else could they do but sack him?
If Ryles wants to micro manage everything, he’s going to fail as the job is too big and if he fails, be must be prepared to be hooked.
3 years is plenty.
Almost all NRL coaches know that sacking is inevitable.
I agree that Ryles team will be important. Shane Richardson would be a massive coup.
