Former sons want Raiders job Collins, Walters confirm interest
Peter Fitzgerald
Tuesday, 21 February 2006
Two former Canberra Raiders players have put their hands up to take over from departing coach Matt Elliott next season. Former 1989 premiership players Kevin Walters and Wayne Collins signalled yesterday their intention to apply for the job made vacant by Elliott's shock move to the Penrith Panthers from 2007.
Collins told The Canberra Times yesterday he felt "up to the challenge" of stepping out of an assistant coaching role to take on a senior position.
Collins is the Raiders' co-assistant first-grade coach alongside David Furner.
Despite some media reports suggesting otherwise, Furner will not apply for the vacant head coach position.
Former Brisbane assistant Kevin Walters, who played 35 games at five-eighth for Canberra between 1987 and 1989, was keen to return to his old club.
"Definitely. I'll go through my manager Wayne Beavis and we'll make moves to make sure it's done in a proper way," Walters said.
"It does interest me but it's Canberra's interest that means the most, who they want to have as coach.
"I'd like the opportunity to coach in the NRL, that's my passion and my desire. I've had some good times down there with the Raiders.
"I don't know about me being a favourite son but I've played and have some history down there."
Elliott announced on Sunday his shock decision to quit the Raiders at the end of the 2006 season to take up a three-year deal with the Penrith Panthers.
The decision came days after he knocked back a three-year, $900,000 offer to replace the outgoing Michael Hagan at the Newcastle Knights.
Most had then expected Elliott to honour his pledge of meeting with Raiders chief executive Simon Hawkins yesterday morning to discuss his future in Canberra.
But in a shock move, Elliott instead accepted a three-year contract with the 2003 premiers, leaving Canberra without a leader for next season.
Canberra's strength and conditioning coach Carl Jennings will join Elliott in Penrith.
Hawkins confirmed the club would honour its contractual commitment to Elliott this season and not stand him down immediately.
Collins wants the job in 2007, after spending the last eight seasons in a range of coaching roles in Britain and Australia, including two years in charge of the Queanbeyan Blues in the Canberra Raiders Cup competition. He then joined the Raiders and took charge of the Premier League side from 2001-2004 before being promoted to co-assistant of Elliott's first-grade side.
"I definitely want to coach at the NRL level. I wouldn't have done this for so long if I didn't, so if the [Canberra] administration approached me, I'd be interested," Collins said.
"It's up to the club. It's a very good opportunity and I'd definitely have a go at it. I think I could handle it."
Raiders general manager Don Furner said he hoped to fill the coaching vacancy within five weeks.
The club's monthly board meeting was set down for Friday week but would more than likely be bought forward to this Friday as a result of Elliott's decision.
The Raiders have traditionally struggled to attract high-profile players to the club, largely because of Canberra's location and cold weather.
Club chief executive Hawkins said it would be "easier with a high-profile coach", but he would not rule out any interested candidate.
"I've had a fair few phone calls both last night and this morning," Hawkins said.
"There are plenty of people who are not contracted next year with an NRL club who would love to coach an NRL club."
Peter Fitzgerald
Tuesday, 21 February 2006
Two former Canberra Raiders players have put their hands up to take over from departing coach Matt Elliott next season. Former 1989 premiership players Kevin Walters and Wayne Collins signalled yesterday their intention to apply for the job made vacant by Elliott's shock move to the Penrith Panthers from 2007.
Collins told The Canberra Times yesterday he felt "up to the challenge" of stepping out of an assistant coaching role to take on a senior position.
Collins is the Raiders' co-assistant first-grade coach alongside David Furner.
Despite some media reports suggesting otherwise, Furner will not apply for the vacant head coach position.
Former Brisbane assistant Kevin Walters, who played 35 games at five-eighth for Canberra between 1987 and 1989, was keen to return to his old club.
"Definitely. I'll go through my manager Wayne Beavis and we'll make moves to make sure it's done in a proper way," Walters said.
"It does interest me but it's Canberra's interest that means the most, who they want to have as coach.
"I'd like the opportunity to coach in the NRL, that's my passion and my desire. I've had some good times down there with the Raiders.
"I don't know about me being a favourite son but I've played and have some history down there."
Elliott announced on Sunday his shock decision to quit the Raiders at the end of the 2006 season to take up a three-year deal with the Penrith Panthers.
The decision came days after he knocked back a three-year, $900,000 offer to replace the outgoing Michael Hagan at the Newcastle Knights.
Most had then expected Elliott to honour his pledge of meeting with Raiders chief executive Simon Hawkins yesterday morning to discuss his future in Canberra.
But in a shock move, Elliott instead accepted a three-year contract with the 2003 premiers, leaving Canberra without a leader for next season.
Canberra's strength and conditioning coach Carl Jennings will join Elliott in Penrith.
Hawkins confirmed the club would honour its contractual commitment to Elliott this season and not stand him down immediately.
Collins wants the job in 2007, after spending the last eight seasons in a range of coaching roles in Britain and Australia, including two years in charge of the Queanbeyan Blues in the Canberra Raiders Cup competition. He then joined the Raiders and took charge of the Premier League side from 2001-2004 before being promoted to co-assistant of Elliott's first-grade side.
"I definitely want to coach at the NRL level. I wouldn't have done this for so long if I didn't, so if the [Canberra] administration approached me, I'd be interested," Collins said.
"It's up to the club. It's a very good opportunity and I'd definitely have a go at it. I think I could handle it."
Raiders general manager Don Furner said he hoped to fill the coaching vacancy within five weeks.
The club's monthly board meeting was set down for Friday week but would more than likely be bought forward to this Friday as a result of Elliott's decision.
The Raiders have traditionally struggled to attract high-profile players to the club, largely because of Canberra's location and cold weather.
Club chief executive Hawkins said it would be "easier with a high-profile coach", but he would not rule out any interested candidate.
"I've had a fair few phone calls both last night and this morning," Hawkins said.
"There are plenty of people who are not contracted next year with an NRL club who would love to coach an NRL club."
