Coaching preference for 2024

[st.phil]

Get a few of us girls onto it. We'd have it sorted in no time. By the way am I the only female on here?

No proof but it sure feels like that (male here) !!

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I think Ruan Sims would be good for the Board.

Smart cookie and a huge profile.

And judging from her footy commentary, she can analyse a game.

Feet on the ground too.

Move that plastics Merkin on or Mr Ritz Carlton Burt Lancaster.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Occasional reader here, enjoy the forum and please bear with me.

There are good precedents for what it will take for STGI to succeed in the NRL. Like an independent chair, preferably with a casting vote given the 50/50 JV, widely respected and experienced in the NRL. A genuinely seasoned CEO. A proven GM of football in the Ponissi, Gould, Richardson mould. A seriously well-connected and respected head of recruitment/ pathways. An experienced, ideally premiership-winning coach. 1st rate assistant support, locked in for a period but at a level just about capable of being a HC elsewhere. And stable leadership of a talented nucleus of the playing group, locked into familiar roles (ref. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/b...of-sport-evolution-familiarity-breeds-success). I'd like to hear more from the Dragons about their ideal. It's not just about the coach.

Most senior roles aside, my 'dream' team (assuming availability, so it's just a wish list, but to give a flavour) is Richardson, Brown, Flanno, assistants Hornby or Morris (to improve Hornby or Morris’ future HC odds) and one of Soward, Carr or Hannay (again, it’s a long way to HC at the sharks and it will be competitive), and a stable nucleus of Hunt (7), JDB (13), Ramsay (rehab permitting, 1) and Sullivan (6), with a game plan suited to them.5

Welcome to the forum.....I like your style already....you have started with a good post for a firsty......but I have to warn you we are all seasoned experts on here and make very little cock ups and know the game inside out......you sound quite intelligent so I guess you'll fit in..cheers

 

[Mojo]

Yes it's absolutely baffling that it's even considered a contest at all. Given the current candidates, Flanno is obviously, absolutely zero doubt, the best option. If Young's last name is not Young, he's no where near consideration. If the Titans or Knights coaching job becomes available at the end of the year, assuming we don't appoint Young, will his name even come up in discussion? Zero chance. None whatsoever. The club will almost certainly lose Hunt and Su'a off the back of the appointment. They can't be that dumb can they? Right??? It will just about be the final dagger for a lot of supporters as well.

I was born and bred in Kogarah. Played in the red and white. Have supported Saints for >60 years. I’m a full member. I’ve often told people that I’ll remain a supporter until the day I die. If Young is appointed, after the last 13 years of tragic descent to the bottom of the table, I will finally give it away - and will write to the CEO to express my utter disillusionment and disappointment.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

And I'll NEVER forgive Tallis for his dummy spit in sitting the year out either.

Me either.....every time I see him that immediately springs to mind....and I mean every time

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

I was born and bred in Kogarah. Played in the red and white. Have supported Saints for 60 years. I’m a full member. I’ve often told people that I’ll remain a supporter until the day I die. If Young is appointed, after the last 13 years of tragic descent to the bottom of the table, I will finally give it away - and will write to the CEO to express my utter disillusionment and disappointment.

I'm hearing you loud and clear.....I've supported Saints for 65 years ..originally from The Shire and as you know that was part of Saints territory in the early days....never played for the Red and White but for me it was The Black and White Cronulla/ Caringbah and Cronulla RSL......served my apprenticeship in Rockdale and lived and breathed for my Dragons ever since......like you if Young is given the HC role then that'll do me as well....nothing personal against the bloke but imo it will be a huge step in the wrong direction......wrong direction !!! thats a statement in itself we can't go any lower than we are now can we.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Are my sources correct in saying Dean Young was interviewed again today (for second time?) and that Flano has said to them he won’t be interviewed to go up against other contenders, his point being his record speaks for itself and if they want him they can approach him directly…. Doesn’t fill me with any confidence whatsoever

According to NRL 360 tonite thats supposibly whats unfolded....now whether you can take that as gospel who knows.....that show all but confirmed Rhyles was coming for sure, and we know how that ended dont we

 

[hewi]

Il take him, runs on the board.

‘Hopefully it gets done’: Flanagan confirms Dragons talks, responds to criticism of his past

‘Hopefully it gets done’: Flanagan confirms Dragons talks, responds to criticism of his past

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Nanadragon]

Young = mass exodus of our best players

And fans

 

[Budpower]

Praying its Flanno head coach with Carr and Morris as assistants, this would be incredible, cmon Doust!!!

 

[56to66]

If Young is appointed Coach expect another Five years of misery, 2.5 years of 35% win/loss, then another sacking, then another dumb rookie appointment.
Currently I dont watch any games, why watch was loss after loss.
Shane Flanagan is ready to go, get it done!

 

[hewi]

• Sport
• NRL
• NRL 2023

OPINION​

‘Brilliant opportunity’: Michael Cheika breaks silence on Dragons job​

June 6, 2023 — 5.00am
Save

​

Share
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Before St George Illawarra officials rush off to sign Shane Flanagan or Dean Young as their next coach, they owe it to their fans to have a discussion with Michael Cheika – because he’s ready to talk.
There is a renewed push for the former Wallabies coach following Jason Ryles’ shock decision last week to join the Melbourne Storm as Craig Bellamy’s likely successor.



Play Video
https://archive.md/0184Q#

​

​

Play video
5:01

Round 14: Panthers v Dragons highlights​

The Panthers host the Dragons to finish Round 14 of the 2023 NRL Premiership Season.
Unlike those still in the mix, Cheika’s not desperate for a job. He doesn’t even have an agent.
Instead of signing a recycled coach or a green rookie, he could be the left-field choice the Dragons need to get them out of the funk they’ve been in for the past decade.

Speaking from Buenos Aires where he is in camp with Argentina’s national rugby team, Cheika said he was willing to speak to NRL clubs, including the Dragons.
“It’s not an ambition – but it would be a brilliant opportunity,” the 56-year-old said of coaching in the NRL. “If a rugby league team thought I was the right person to get what they want, then I’d definitely be open to talking to them. It’s no secret I have an interest in league and coached the game before. It’s really appealing. But, if it’s to happen, the stars would need to align.”

Could Michael Cheika be a left-field option for the Dragons?CREDIT: GETTY
Speculation linking Cheika to the Dragons first surfaced in January, but it became more serious a month ago in the most unlikely way.
Lifelong Dragons fan Graham Rush approached Cheika through a mutual friend about coaching the club if Anthony Griffin was shuffled out the door.

When Cheika didn’t oppose the idea, Rush met with Dragons chief executive Ryan Webb. Some directors were curious, others immediately shut it down.
The story was leaked to the media and Cheika felt uneasy: he hadn’t pitched up for the job, and the “representative” mentioned in stories was Rush, whom he’d never met.

Michael Cheika took Lebanon to the quarter-finals of the Rugby League World Cup last year.CREDIT: GETTY
After Ryles snubbed the Dragons last week, Rush started lobbying Dragons powerbrokers again.
Cheika’s contract with Argentina ends when they are knocked out of the World Cup. He is contracted to coach Lebanon’s national rugby league side until 2025. The Cedars reached the quarter-finals at last year’s World Cup in Cheika’s first year in charge.

Despite his rugby pedigree, he’s an unabashed rugby league fan, having played when he was younger. After resigning as Wallabies coach in 2019, he became an unlikely assistant coach to Trent Robinson at the Roosters.
Nevertheless, it would be a leap of faith for any NRL club to sign him - particularly one as cautious and conservative as the Dragons.
“It’s a leap of faith in any circumstance but many of the things that are most important in coaching are around people, alignment, direction, strategy and recruitment,” Cheika said. “There’s a line of continuity in all sports, but particularly these two codes.”
When the Dragons signed Griffin in 2020, it seemed like nobody at the club had done their due diligence. A few phone calls to his previous clubs, the Broncos and Panthers, might have convinced them he wasn’t the right man for the job.
Presumably, when considering Flanagan, they will make calls to his former club, Cronulla, and the NRL after he was suspended in 2013 for his role in the club’s supplements program then deregistered in 2016 for not adhering to the conditions of that initial ban.

If the Dragons do their due diligence on Cheika, they will soon discover he’s been an agent of successful change almost everywhere he’s coached. And at clubs like the Dragons that have large and demanding fan bases.
Leinster, easily the biggest club in Ireland, took a leap of faith with him in 2005. Within four years, they were the champions of Europe, having secured the Heineken Cup.
He joined the Waratahs in 2013 and achieved the impossible, guiding them to their first Super Rugby title the following year, beating the Crusaders by a point in the final at Accor Stadium.
He was then parachuted into the Wallabies job less than a year out from the 2015 Rugby World Cup following Ewen McKenzie’s sudden resignation. Again, he worked miracles: Australia lost the final to the All Blacks, but going so deep into the tournament felt like a victory.

While some coaches run a mile from challenging situations, Cheika relishes them.
“I’ve been in those situations because that’s who I am as a person,” he said. “That’s the environment in which I thrive. One thing about turnarounds is that you can’t disassociate what’s happened before you. You have to own it. The fans have lived it; they don’t just get a fresh start because you’ve started.”
That’s not just lip service. When he first joined the Waratahs, Cheika would cold-call angry fans to hear their perspective.
“I got a list of members who had written nasty letters,” he explained. “I just started ringing them all. When they first got over the shock that I’d rung, I didn’t make any promises. I just told them what they were going to see from us, and now that they’ve got my number don’t be afraid to call and tell me if we don’t.
“If you want to turn things around, you have to change perception. If you’re going to make yourself accountable, you have to be as well. The fans are the most important people.”

When I tell him there are a lot of angry Dragons followers out there, Cheika doesn’t flinch.
“When you’re honest and open, you won’t get abused,” he said. “I never feel aggrieved: they’re passionate about the club doing well. Without that passion, what’s the point?”
Sounds like a decent coach to me. He might be worth a phone call himself.
Stream

 

[Mojo]

• Sport
• NRL
• NRL 2023

OPINION​

‘Brilliant opportunity’: Michael Cheika breaks silence on Dragons job​

June 6, 2023 — 5.00am
Save

​

Share
Normal text sizeALarger text sizeAVery large text sizeA

Before St George Illawarra officials rush off to sign Shane Flanagan or Dean Young as their next coach, they owe it to their fans to have a discussion with Michael Cheika – because he’s ready to talk.
There is a renewed push for the former Wallabies coach following Jason Ryles’ shock decision last week to join the Melbourne Storm as Craig Bellamy’s likely successor.



Play Video
https://archive.md/0184Q#

​

​

Play video
5:01

Round 14: Panthers v Dragons highlights​

The Panthers host the Dragons to finish Round 14 of the 2023 NRL Premiership Season.
Unlike those still in the mix, Cheika’s not desperate for a job. He doesn’t even have an agent.
Instead of signing a recycled coach or a green rookie, he could be the left-field choice the Dragons need to get them out of the funk they’ve been in for the past decade.

Speaking from Buenos Aires where he is in camp with Argentina’s national rugby team, Cheika said he was willing to speak to NRL clubs, including the Dragons.
“It’s not an ambition – but it would be a brilliant opportunity,” the 56-year-old said of coaching in the NRL. “If a rugby league team thought I was the right person to get what they want, then I’d definitely be open to talking to them. It’s no secret I have an interest in league and coached the game before. It’s really appealing. But, if it’s to happen, the stars would need to align.”

Could Michael Cheika be a left-field option for the Dragons?CREDIT: GETTY
Speculation linking Cheika to the Dragons first surfaced in January, but it became more serious a month ago in the most unlikely way.
Lifelong Dragons fan Graham Rush approached Cheika through a mutual friend about coaching the club if Anthony Griffin was shuffled out the door.

When Cheika didn’t oppose the idea, Rush met with Dragons chief executive Ryan Webb. Some directors were curious, others immediately shut it down.
The story was leaked to the media and Cheika felt uneasy: he hadn’t pitched up for the job, and the “representative” mentioned in stories was Rush, whom he’d never met.

Michael Cheika took Lebanon to the quarter-finals of the Rugby League World Cup last year.CREDIT: GETTY
After Ryles snubbed the Dragons last week, Rush started lobbying Dragons powerbrokers again.
Cheika’s contract with Argentina ends when they are knocked out of the World Cup. He is contracted to coach Lebanon’s national rugby league side until 2025. The Cedars reached the quarter-finals at last year’s World Cup in Cheika’s first year in charge.

Despite his rugby pedigree, he’s an unabashed rugby league fan, having played when he was younger. After resigning as Wallabies coach in 2019, he became an unlikely assistant coach to Trent Robinson at the Roosters.
Nevertheless, it would be a leap of faith for any NRL club to sign him - particularly one as cautious and conservative as the Dragons.
“It’s a leap of faith in any circumstance but many of the things that are most important in coaching are around people, alignment, direction, strategy and recruitment,” Cheika said. “There’s a line of continuity in all sports, but particularly these two codes.”
When the Dragons signed Griffin in 2020, it seemed like nobody at the club had done their due diligence. A few phone calls to his previous clubs, the Broncos and Panthers, might have convinced them he wasn’t the right man for the job.
Presumably, when considering Flanagan, they will make calls to his former club, Cronulla, and the NRL after he was suspended in 2013 for his role in the club’s supplements program then deregistered in 2016 for not adhering to the conditions of that initial ban.

If the Dragons do their due diligence on Cheika, they will soon discover he’s been an agent of successful change almost everywhere he’s coached. And at clubs like the Dragons that have large and demanding fan bases.
Leinster, easily the biggest club in Ireland, took a leap of faith with him in 2005. Within four years, they were the champions of Europe, having secured the Heineken Cup.
He joined the Waratahs in 2013 and achieved the impossible, guiding them to their first Super Rugby title the following year, beating the Crusaders by a point in the final at Accor Stadium.
He was then parachuted into the Wallabies job less than a year out from the 2015 Rugby World Cup following Ewen McKenzie’s sudden resignation. Again, he worked miracles: Australia lost the final to the All Blacks, but going so deep into the tournament felt like a victory.

While some coaches run a mile from challenging situations, Cheika relishes them.
“I’ve been in those situations because that’s who I am as a person,” he said. “That’s the environment in which I thrive. One thing about turnarounds is that you can’t disassociate what’s happened before you. You have to own it. The fans have lived it; they don’t just get a fresh start because you’ve started.”
That’s not just lip service. When he first joined the Waratahs, Cheika would cold-call angry fans to hear their perspective.
“I got a list of members who had written nasty letters,” he explained. “I just started ringing them all. When they first got over the shock that I’d rung, I didn’t make any promises. I just told them what they were going to see from us, and now that they’ve got my number don’t be afraid to call and tell me if we don’t.
“If you want to turn things around, you have to change perception. If you’re going to make yourself accountable, you have to be as well. The fans are the most important people.”

When I tell him there are a lot of angry Dragons followers out there, Cheika doesn’t flinch.
“When you’re honest and open, you won’t get abused,” he said. “I never feel aggrieved: they’re passionate about the club doing well. Without that passion, what’s the point?”
Sounds like a decent coach to me. He might be worth a phone call himself.
Stream

I like the quotes and agree 100%. At this juncture, I’d certainly give him a run. Anybody who calls aggrieved fans and listens to them gets my vote. This is not a trivial observation. It speaks volumes.

 

[possm]

I'm tipping it will be Flannagan to win the head coach contract. I would rather it was Hasler but for some reason unknown to me, he has dropped out of the race.

 

[possm]

Burt Lancaster seems to be just another suit on the board.

As a Win executive his experience seems to be smooching about with advertisers and paying hard working people as little as humanly possible and get away with it.

Certainly someone who is more familiar with the breakfast menu of the Ritz Carlton than the prices of a coke and a stale sausage roll at Kogarah Jubilee.

I don’t want to alarm or upset anyone, but it’s kind of getting to the stage where Doust appears to be the best qualified person on the board. From the outside anyways. I know he’s less popular than Satan to some.

There’s Creagh, but he’s an obvious choice and he’s not under scrutiny. Not by me at least.

Wash your mouth out with soap! Doust would have to be the worst pick. He has really stuffed up our club in for self-interest reasons. I say OUST DOUST!

 

[possm]

Yep its very strange that no one has said boo about Hasler and one would think that he is the best available. Now when they approached Slater he immediately went public and said thanks but no thanks, we heard nothing from Hasler, not even the unhinging of a door !!! There is something going on I reckon.

In my opinion, Hasler requested too much control over the football department for the BOD's liking. It is clear that our BOD is toxic when it comes to football decisions.

 

[56to66]

Michael Cheika would have been interesting experiment 5 years ago not now, another mass exodus if appointed.
I am sick to death of these f**king journos sticking their filthy pours into this situation, the majority of BOD have a IQ of 100 combined, they would read it and think oh yes what a great option.
We need Shane Flanagan or Des Hasler simple as that!!!!

 

[Trifili13]

Cheika is a succesful rugby coach and i am sure some of the skills he has would be just as applicable to league. All these journo's pushing his case would also be the first to jump on the Dragon's and the board if they appoint him and he fails by writing what the hell were they doing appointing someone with no league coaching background.

 

[Coffs dragon]

I personally believe that Michael Cheika is in the same mold as Bennett & Bellamy. He’s a motivator driven to make men better and highly successful.
He is the type of leader that would turn a club around off the field as well by engaging with corporate sponsors & fans. He’s a wonderful speaker at the highest level and will attract dollars & attention to our struggling club that scream for leadership.

Our bunch of merkins will probably overlook him as he won’t compete with Dean Young and his bloodlines.

 

[Illusion]

I personally believe that Michael Cheika is in the same mould as Bennett & Bellamy. He’s a motivator driven to make men better and highly successful.
He is the type of leader that would turn a club around off the field as well by engaging with corporate sponsors & fans. He’s a wonderful speaker at the highest level and will attract dollars & attention to our struggling club that scream for leadership.

Our bunch of merkins will probably overlook him as he won’t compete with Dean Young and his bloodlines.

Agree , being a coach , and have said before , the coach has to be a good people manager , to get the best out of their players ........ Being both goes a long way to being a good coach .......