Cowboys ditch Murray, door opens for Bennett

[McCrud]

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23208315-952,00.html

THE North Queensland Cowboys will not renew coach Graham Murray's contract from 2009, paving the way for the club to pursue Broncos coach Wayne Bennett.
Bennett announced he was quitting the Broncos last week.
It is understood Murray was informed earlier today his contract would not renewed for next year.
A formal announcement is expected tomorrow.
The former NSW coach led North Queensland to the 2005 grand final and the final four last season, despite a horror injury list.
He has told friends he is keen to continue coaching.
Cowboys assistant coach Ian Millward will also be considered as a replacement for Murray.

 

[wittyfan]

It should be an interesting year for the Cowboys.

 

[Monk]

idiots... murray was the best coach the club has seen..
he pulled them from the bottom of the ladder...
stupid decision

 

[themanonthehill]

Coach shines did all the work
Don't you read the papers
It was all down to Tommy Shines

 

[Black Majik]

He takes the Roosters into the finals only to be replaced by the "next best thing" to ride his coat tails, now he is getting the same treatment up north. Who ever they get as his replacement sure have an easy step in!

 

[Charlie124]

I dont know what the f**k we are thinking here. Muzz is the best thing thats happend to our club in a long time. Before he got there we were the easy beats of the competition, there better be some f**king concrete plans for a good replacement.

And it better not be Bennett.

 

[Canard]

Why would you announce this at this stage of the season? I cant see this as being anything but a negative for the season to come, and undermining the authority of the head coach!

What if the ridiculous situation occurs whereby the team wins the Grand Final, and the Coach is gone the next season???

A lot of Cowboys fans claim that our front office is "sorted" out since the bad old days, but if this is true, it shows its as amatuer as always.

 

[Special K]

What if the ridiculous situation occurs whereby the team wins the Grand Final, and the Coach is gone the next season???

clubs should have made their minds up a long time before the grand final. Imagine the ridiculous situation of a coach having to put up with speculation all through the finals.

I do think it is a bit early to show a coach the door for 09 but still if you know you need a change then why not allow the new guy as much time as possible to prepare?

 

[MSKnight]

Also opens the door for the Knights if Brian Smith doesnt perform.

Murray was the best thing that ever happened to the Cowboys. Stupid Decision.

 

[tiger_nick]

hmm we all saw how well announcing brian smiths contract wouldnt be renewed in 2006 worked for parra. rather strange the cows would do this aswell.

 

[DeeGan]

Why would you announce this at this stage of the season? I cant see this as being anything but a negative for the season to come, and undermining the authority of the head coach!

What if the ridiculous situation occurs whereby the team wins the Grand Final, and the Coach is gone the next season???

A lot of Cowboys fans claim that our front office is "sorted" out since the bad old days, but if this is true, it shows its as amatuer as always.

Agreed.

A season that I predicted should bring some glory to North Queensland could be derailed as early as a before a ball being kicked in the pre-season. Horrible move.

 

[lockyno1]

Daniel Anderson would be a great get for the Cowboys

 

[eels_fan_01]

I think its a good decision to be completely honest.

Wayne Bennett is one of the smartest coaches in the NRL and i do feel for Murray as he was the only Cowboys coach to bring success but hes making way for a 6 time premiership winning coach.

 

[Canard]

I do think it is a bit early to show a coach the door for 09 but still if you know you need a change then why not allow the new guy as much time as possible to prepare?

So what, lets write off 2008 just so the "new guy" can prepare for 2009.

The window of oppurtunity for teams to win it all is only very small, and the Cowboys have a squad this season that I think could seriously challenge.

I think this decision, if its borne out to be true, radically changes there chances of winning it all.

 

[dallymessenger]

Why would you announce this at this stage of the season? I cant see this as being anything but a negative for the season to come, and undermining the authority of the head coach!

What if the ridiculous situation occurs whereby the team wins the Grand Final, and the Coach is gone the next season???

A lot of Cowboys fans claim that our front office is "sorted" out since the bad old days, but if this is true, it shows its as amatuer as always.

good point.

the cowboys have a good chance this year, now with brisbane you wonder if the players will be motivated

 

[Meanie]

I think its a good decision to be completely honest.

Wayne Bennett is one of the smartest coaches in the NRL and i do feel for Murray as he was the only Cowboys coach to bring success but hes making way for a 6 time premiership winning coach.

He's not making way for anything yet, christ knows what Bennett will do.

I kinda saw this coming for Muzz actually, he's been at the helm for 6 years which is an eternity nowadays and management always seems to think that if they're not winning premierships then it must be the coach. I get the feeling they'll be proven wrong.

 

[butchmcdick]

I hope to christ this is just another one of danny scoops wielder's fantasies.

 

[Eelementary]

hmm we all saw how well announcing brian smiths contract wouldnt be renewed in 2006 worked for parra. rather strange the cows would do this aswell.

???

Finishing one game from the Grand Final and losing narrowly to the overwhelming favourites for the title in said match...What are you talking about?

 

[westie]

???

Finishing one game from the Grand Final and losing narrowly to the overwhelming favourites for the title in said match...What are you talking about?

Smith did that in '06? f**k me...

 

[lucablight]

???

Finishing one game from the Grand Final and losing narrowly to the overwhelming favourites for the title in said match...What are you talking about?

We actually managed to sneak in at 8th because the warriors had points taken off them and we were knocked out by the Storm in the first week. Maybe if we had finished higher we could have gone a bit further.

Also it's funny how times change. A few years ago Murray was told he could have the job for as long as he wanted.