Smith coy on Raiders role as more join hunt
Peter Fitzgerald
Wednesday, 22 February 2006
Parramatta Eels coach Brian Smith remained in the hunt yesterday to replace Matt Elliott as head coach of the Canberra Raiders next season. But former Raiders assistant coach Terry Matterson withdrew from the race, saying he would honour a two-year contract with English Super League club Castleford.
Raiders general manager Don Furner confirmed eight prospective coaches had contacted the club in the past two days to register their interest in the position.
North Queensland Cowboys assistant Neil Henry was set to join that group after confirming yesterday he would make an official approach to the Raiders.
Elliott quit on Sunday to accept a three-year deal with the Penrith Panthers, starting next season.
Smith, whom Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald informed would not be retained by the club beyond this season, remained non-committal yesterday about whether he had approached, or would approach, Canberra about the vacant position.
"I've got nothing to say," Smith replied when asked about the Raiders position.
When pressed on whether he would like to have some form of coaching role in the NRL beyond this season, Smith fired back: "Is your line breaking up? I said I've got nothing to say".
Henry wasn't so abrupt.
The former Raiders Jersey Flegg (2001, 2002) and SG Ball (2000) coach declared his "definite interest" in the position.
Henry, 44, confirmed he had not officially contacted the Raiders but would do so by the end of the week.
"I haven't been approached by the club or vice-versa but I am definitely interested in exploring the options available," Henry said.
"There are not many NRL head coaching jobs out there. I've had a wonderful experience up here [in North Queensland] but certainly the opportunity to work as a head coach is very appealing."
Matterson said yesterday he would not apply for the position. The 38-year-old left his position as co-assistant with Canberra on good terms last year but yesterday confirmed he would not walk out on Castleford while still contracted.
"I haven't had any contact with Canberra," Matterson told England's Sky Sports.
"I'm committed to seeing this job through. It's a big job and I've just got my teeth into it."
In a twist to the Raiders' search for a coach, Canberra sponsors sounded out Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens about returning to Canberra before Elliott had signed with Penrith. Sheens was said to have turned down the offer.
"A couple of sponsors had lunch with Tim and he said he had served his time in Canberra," Raiders chairman John McIntyre said.
"Tim had nine wonderful years here and we would not begrudge him for not wanting to come back."
Peter Fitzgerald
Wednesday, 22 February 2006
Parramatta Eels coach Brian Smith remained in the hunt yesterday to replace Matt Elliott as head coach of the Canberra Raiders next season. But former Raiders assistant coach Terry Matterson withdrew from the race, saying he would honour a two-year contract with English Super League club Castleford.
Raiders general manager Don Furner confirmed eight prospective coaches had contacted the club in the past two days to register their interest in the position.
North Queensland Cowboys assistant Neil Henry was set to join that group after confirming yesterday he would make an official approach to the Raiders.
Elliott quit on Sunday to accept a three-year deal with the Penrith Panthers, starting next season.
Smith, whom Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald informed would not be retained by the club beyond this season, remained non-committal yesterday about whether he had approached, or would approach, Canberra about the vacant position.
"I've got nothing to say," Smith replied when asked about the Raiders position.
When pressed on whether he would like to have some form of coaching role in the NRL beyond this season, Smith fired back: "Is your line breaking up? I said I've got nothing to say".
Henry wasn't so abrupt.
The former Raiders Jersey Flegg (2001, 2002) and SG Ball (2000) coach declared his "definite interest" in the position.
Henry, 44, confirmed he had not officially contacted the Raiders but would do so by the end of the week.
"I haven't been approached by the club or vice-versa but I am definitely interested in exploring the options available," Henry said.
"There are not many NRL head coaching jobs out there. I've had a wonderful experience up here [in North Queensland] but certainly the opportunity to work as a head coach is very appealing."
Matterson said yesterday he would not apply for the position. The 38-year-old left his position as co-assistant with Canberra on good terms last year but yesterday confirmed he would not walk out on Castleford while still contracted.
"I haven't had any contact with Canberra," Matterson told England's Sky Sports.
"I'm committed to seeing this job through. It's a big job and I've just got my teeth into it."
In a twist to the Raiders' search for a coach, Canberra sponsors sounded out Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens about returning to Canberra before Elliott had signed with Penrith. Sheens was said to have turned down the offer.
"A couple of sponsors had lunch with Tim and he said he had served his time in Canberra," Raiders chairman John McIntyre said.
"Tim had nine wonderful years here and we would not begrudge him for not wanting to come back."
