As posted at the GH
Dear Management,
I have not always been a staunch supporter of your decisions and I would suggest at times that my emotions and blind love for all things Canberra Raiders override clarity, but I believe in this case of enforcing the final year of Neil Henry’s contract we may be committing a huge blunder based on a similar blind pride and emotion, rather than any basis of clarity or foresight.
The prime reason to let the guy go is that how can we expect players to commit to the club long term if the coach doesn’t want to be here for the long haul and is in effect playing out the days. Pride in personal performance would dictate that there would not be total abandonment of desire in Neil’s coaching, but there would be an unspoken and undeniable lessening of intensity. The previous coach at the club signed elsewhere for the next season and spent the last month or two clearly spotting talent for Penrith whilst he should have been committed 100% to the Raiders cause. I rate Neil higher than Matthew Elliott but there is no denying that he may perhaps resent not being released and that could have a diabolical effect over the next 18 months.
Secondly whilst I am aware we do not have the greatest list of household names on the roster we are a side who has pride in the effort and winning against all odds. Neil’s record of 11 wins from 27 outings (a paltry 40% strike rate) is even for a coach in the beginning of his career a very poor strike rate, and perhaps we may be over-selling how talented our coach really is. In 2007 there were decisions which may have affected results but 14th is still a poor result by any standard. There is no doubt we play a slightly more attacking game than under Elliott, but there is still over-sized servings of 5 hit ups and a kick rather than several passes and cut-outs mixed in the set.
I understand that as a club we are proud that we have not sacked a coach, and have had all coaches fulfil their contract but there is always going to be a first time down the track and this may be the time to bite the bullet and plan for our future, as it is likely the Cowboys have made their decision and will wait for Neil. I believe it would be prudent to swallow our pride on this issue and look for a suitable replacement now whilst there are several viable options such as Ian Millward, Graeme Murray, and Daniel Anderson. If we hold on for 12 months these fine options may be employed elsewhere and we may be left with slim pickings as at the end of 2006 where Chris Anderson was the only tried senior coach available.
I believe as a management team the effort in securing Todd Carney was a major effort and worthy of all plaudits and it would be a shame to see management take as step backwards by grasping onto Neil Henry who by all accounts wants to go back to North Queensland. The guy wants out, let’s release him and get someone who wants to be here and can apply 100% of their heart into the job. I am casting no aspersions on Neil’s character or integrity but it is only human nature that if your heart is elsewhere you cannot apply yourself 100% to the cause at hand.
