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http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/drunk-eels-have-too-much-smith-has-enough/2006/05/15/1147545268206.htmlDrunk Eels have too much, Smith has enough
Dark day … Brian Smith addresses the media outside Parramatta Stadium yesterday after announcing his resignation as the club's head coach. The Eels have won just two games this season.
Photo: Ben Rushton
By Greg Prichard
May 16, 2006
Page 1 of 2 | Single page
BRIAN Smith quit as Parramatta coach yesterday, saying he was no longer the man to lead the Eels out of trouble - on a day when two of his star players were found to have been drinking at a local hotel before a scheduled pool recovery session.
It is understood halfback Tim Smith turned up to the session affected by alcohol and was sent home, while hooker Mark Riddell did not turn up at all. Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said last night the pair faced an inquiry.
"I've heard second-hand that they were intoxicated," Fitzgerald said. "The matter will be investigated tomorrow."
It is anticipated the pair will be disciplined by the club, although Fitzgerald refused to speculate. Whether the incident involving the two players was the final straw that convinced Smith to resign is not clear. He made no mention of it at a media conference outside Parramatta Stadium to announce his departure. Asked if there was a connection, Fitzgerald said: "As far as I'm aware, the two matters are unrelated."
Sources claimed Smith had been thinking of resigning for the past week or two.
The Eels board met last night and installed Jason Taylor as caretaker coach for the rest of the season. Taylor, who coached Parramatta's Premier League side to win last year's competition, is leaving the club himself at the end of the season to join South Sydney's coaching staff.
Smith explained he had been worn down by the increasingly difficult task in his 10th year at the club. His resignation came the day after after the Eels slumped to yet another loss, this time a 22-18 defeat by the Bulldogs, which left last year's minor premiers with a record of just two wins and seven losses.
"I have asked questions of the players and staff every day about their level of commitment and whether they have got the energy and drive to do a tough job," Smith said. "I asked that question of myself this morning and the answer was no.
"Time was running out and something needs to happen very quickly - and I don't think I'm the one any longer who can lead the club out of the situation they are in. You can't expect others to put in 100 per cent if you can't put it in yourself.
"There are some tough things that need to be done in the club right now. The situation has been tough all season, given the circumstances of my whole future."
Smith was referring to the fact Parramatta's management told him before the season began that they would not be renewing his contract when it ran out at the end of the season. The Eels subsequently signed Newcastle coach Michael Hagan to take over next year while Smith signed to take over at the Knights.
Smith said it had been difficult for him to tell his players he had resigned less than halfway through the season.
He said he and Parramatta star Nathan Hindmarsh, who yesterday went into camp with the NSW team for State of Origin I, had spoken in what Smith described as an emotional phone conversation.
"I had a lengthy discussion with Nathan Hindmarsh. I don't intend to drop out of the lives of these guys. I'll still have contact with a lot of them," Smith said. "I'm very sad. I have dedicated all of my life and energy to Parramatta for 10 years. I've loved every minute of the time. I've made a lot of friendships and I've got a lot of respect for the players."
Smith said he believed Parramatta could still regroup this season, make the finals and compete for the title. He said he would now have a break before getting ready to take over at Newcastle.
"I've been coaching non-stop from winter to winter and I've never had more than three to four weeks off at a time," Smith said. "There are some benefits to recharging my batteries, even for someone who loves what I do. I'm tired at the moment. Close friends have told me I looked tired in the past week.
"There is a lot of emotion in the way I approach coaching and I've got nothing but thanks for all the people who have helped me."
Smith said that although his ambition of winning a premiership with the Eels had not been realised, he was still proud of what he had achieved at the club over the past decade.
Fitzgerald said Smith had done "a very good job as coach, sometimes under very difficult circumstances".
Smith said it had been difficult for him to tell his players he had resigned less than halfway through the season.
He said he and Parramatta star Nathan Hindmarsh, who yesterday went into camp with the NSW team for State of Origin I, had spoken in what Smith described as an emotional phone conversation.
"I had a lengthy discussion with Nathan Hindmarsh. I don't intend to drop out of the lives of these guys. I'll still have contact with a lot of them," Smith said. "I'm very sad. I have dedicated all of my life and energy to Parramatta for 10 years. I've loved every minute of the time. I've made a lot of friendships and I've got a lot of respect for the players."
Smith said he believed Parramatta could still regroup this season, make the finals and compete for the title. He said he would now have a break before getting ready to take over at Newcastle.
"I've been coaching non-stop from winter to winter and I've never had more than three to four weeks off at a time," Smith said. "There are some benefits to recharging my batteries, even for someone who loves what I do. I'm tired at the moment. Close friends have told me I looked tired in the past week.
"There is a lot of emotion in the way I approach coaching and I've got nothing but thanks for all the people who have helped me."
Smith said that although his ambition of winning a premiership with the Eels had not been realised, he was still proud of what he had achieved at the club over the past decade.
Fitzgerald said Smith had done "a very good job as coach, sometimes under very difficult circumstances".
*** edit - could be viewed as slander ***
