Cowboys' hankering for Henry stirs Raiders

[Walt Flanigan]

Cowboys' hankering for Henry stirs Raiders

Glenn Jackson | March 7, 2008

CANBERRA will move swiftly to attempt to re-sign their coach Neil Henry in the face of significant interest from North Queensland.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner admitted negotiations to extend Henry's deal - which expires at the end of 2009 - would be brought forward due to the interest which follows the Cowboys' decision not to re-sign their coach, Graham Murray.
The Cowboys are understood to have shaved their shortlist to three - Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, North Queensland assistant Ian Millward and Henry.
However, Henry, who was Murray's assistant at the Cowboys before he joined Canberra, is believed to have moved to the head of the queue.
"There's been a bit of interest in him, and that tells us we've picked the right bloke," Furner said. "Last year, it was Neil who?"
Although he is off contract at the end of next year, Henry has an option in his favour for 2010. But with the interest from other clubs he can re-negotiate on his terms.
Henry, the Queensland State of Origin assistant last year, is one of the most highly-rated coaches in the game, however his contractual obligations might be the biggest obstacle in front of a return to the Cowboys. It is understood the Cowboys want Henry for 2009 or not at all, meaning he would have to break his contract in order to move. Furner said the Raiders had planned to begin negotiations with Henry midway through the season but officials will now start them within weeks.
"It doesn't really change what we were thinking anyway," Furner said. "It's just confirmed our thinking, which is good. The positive thing is he's getting recognition. The interest is good. It means we made the right choice."

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/cowboys-chasing-henry/2008/03/06/1204779964143.html

 

[dolphinboy]

Meh more paper talk

Worse case scenario is a straight swap which would not be a major disaster

Has to be something to Henry though given all the interest in him

 

[Walt Flanigan]

I think this story says more about Neil Henry as a coach more than anything. I think Don's right, we did make the right choice.

 

[shear_joy9]

He's seen as a super coach for leading the suspossed worst side in the comp away from the spoon

 

[Walt Flanigan]

Henry becomes Australia's most wanted

By Brent Read
March 07, 2008

NEIL Henry joined Canberra as a relative unknown, but the club is ready to begin talks with its coach over a contract extension as it looks to ward off interest from North Queensland.
Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr confirmed he had spoken to his Canberra counterpart Don Furner over Henry's contractual situation beyond this year.
Henry has a contract for next season with an option for 2010.
Parr stressed he was simply working through the process of researching who was available to replace Graham Murray in Townsville next season.
Even so, the Raiders board has moved to keep Henry at the club long-term by giving Furner the green light to open contract talks.
Canberra chairman John McIntyre said the interest in Henry - he was also linked with the Brisbane job next season - was further evidence the club made the right decision in appointing the former North Queensland assistant.
"He has gone from 'Neil Who' to Australia's most wanted," McIntyre said.
"I have made it quite clear that he's committed here for the next couple of years.
"In fact, I have spoken to management about extending his contract in Canberra.
"He won't be going anywhere. As far as I am concerned and the rest of the board is concerned, we have encouraged the management to commit to him long-term."
The Cowboys' interest in Henry will do little to douse ongoing speculation over the coaching situation for next year.
Brisbane's Wayne Bennett, who will leave the Broncos at the end of the year, had been widely tipped to join the Cowboys in 2009.
But North Queensland's interest in Henry could be viewed as a sign the Broncos coach is heading elsewhere.
St George Illawarra has been mentioned as a possible destination, while the Bulldogs remain a possibility should the club decide Steve Folkes' time is up.
St Helens coach Daniel Anderson has also been linked to the Dogs, while Folkes' assistant Kevin Moore and Melbourne assistant Steve Kearney are likely to receive strong consideration.
"My job is to present to the board a whole range of people that are interested in the job," Parr said. "There are people we are interested in and I have checked as to whether they are available.
"If (Neil) was available we would be interested in talking to him.
"Don told me he wouldn't envisage releasing him."
The Raiders' reticence to release Henry is understandable given his rising stock in the game.
Even though Canberra finished 14th last season, Henry emerged with his reputation enhanced.
He was also a pivotal figure as Queensland retained the State of Origin shield, acting as Mal Meninga's assistant for the second consecutive year.
Furner said the Raiders viewed him as their long-term coach.
"The positive for us is we know we picked the right man for the job," Furner said.
"We certainly weren't going to let him go. We weren't going to release him for 2009. We have always had long-term coaches at the Raiders.
"If you look at our history we have had five coaches. They have averaged about six years each."
Furner said he had spoken to Henry about his future on several occasions, including a month ago when he was linked with the Brisbane job.
He said Henry was committed to staying in Canberra.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23332849-23214,00.html

 

[dubby]

Where's bay??

All this interest in our stock (Henry, Zilly, Todd) certainly increases the respect for our leading players and coach in the eyes of the NRL community.

Last year no one heard of Zilly or henry and todd was known for his off field antics more than his ability on the field, fast forward 12 months and these guys are the target of some very high profile people.

Man, if we can Henry can get these lads firing we will enter period of success not seen for many moons

 

[Walt Flanigan]

I must say that all this attention whilst somewhat unawanted is a breath of fresh air. Feels like we're going somewhere.

 

[Raider_69]

Lock him in, ive seen enough of henry and enough of bad coaches to know Henry isnt one of them. Lock him in, he's just as vital to our future success as TC, Zillman or any other player.

Like TC, in a short time Henry will be a bloke players will cop less to play under.

 

[matt]

I must say that all this attention whilst somewhat unawanted is a breath of fresh air. Feels like we're going somewhere.

have to agree with that walter...beats being out of sight out of mind.
time to capitalise.

 

[dolphinboy]

One of managements finest hours

 

[Chachi]

Craig Bellamy was also on the nose at Melbourne, pissing players off etc, until they realised he was the real deal.

 

[dolphinboy]

Craig Bellamy was also on the nose at Melbourne, pissing players off etc, until they realised he was the real deal.

And like Neil, he took over from an equally inept fool who nearly destroyed the club.

Actually Mark Murray and Elliott would be a fair contest on who is the biggest f**king idiot :lol:

 

[Raider Azz]

And like Neil, he took over from an equally inept fool who nearly destroyed the club.

Actually Mark Murray and Elliott would be a fair contest on who is the biggest f**king idiot :lol:

yeah but at least chris anderson won a premiership with melbourne.

elliot on the other hand...

 

[beave]

Henry is an absolte champion. I put him down as one of tha major reasons the cowboys turned it around a few years ago. Him and Billy Johnstone. I would love to see him up here again to replace Muzz, I know that will P!ss a few of you lads off, a straight swap maybe??? Muzz is also an excellent coach.

 

[dolphinboy]

yeah but at least chris anderson won a premiership with melbourne.

elliot on the other hand...

Credit where its due Azz, Idyit did get us in a heap of finals just no winning ones :roll:

 

[Sydney_Raider]

Reports in the Telegraph this morning indicate that Henry moving to North Qld could be a reality. Talk of David Furner being fast tracked as his replacement.

 

[Raider Azz]

Reports in the Telegraph

stopped reading there.

 

[Chachi]

Has the season started yet. FMD there is a lot of rubbish going around. The GH was literally melting down today with some of the bullsh*t written.

Doesn't help when "journalists" put 2 and 2 together and end up with 7.