Hagan has headstart for Eels job
BRAD EARL
07dec05
NEWCASTLE Knights coach Michael Hagan has a headstart in the race to replace Brian Smith at the Eels in 2007.
Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald wasn't prepared to comment on last weekend's meeting with Hagan.
"I don't intend to say anything until such time as we have a coach signed on the dotted line," Fitzgerald said yesterday.
"We're still considering candidates who we think will be the best person for the job."
Like Smith, Hagan comes off contract with the Knights at the end of next season.
While Fitzgerald has said he wants the new coach appointed before the start of the season, he told the Advertiser last week there might be a chance it could be done before Christmas.
Eels chairman Alan Overton didn't attend the Hagan meeting.
He said that the board had left the matter to the management duo of Fitzgerald and general manager Greg Mitchell.
"Our club runs a bit differently to most clubs," Overton said.
"I always believe it's the board's responsibility to make sure that the business is financially viable and we have the right people in the right jobs to make those management recommendations to the board. I believe we have that in the case of Denis and Greg Mitchell.
"It's up to them now to make their recommendations to the board. We'll certainly assess the recommendation and see where we go from there."
Board meetings are monthly.
The Eels will play the Knights in the opening round of the 2006 NRL season at EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle, on March 11.
Meanwhile, on Nathan Hindmarsh's knee injury that cut short his involvement in the Kangaroos tour, Fitzgerald has spoken with club doctor Michael Johnson and Hindmarsh himself over the past week.
The good news is the second-rower should be right for the start of the season.
"There's not going to be any further operation," Fitzgerald said.
"Nathan's resting it as well as having physio. He's not doing any running on it until January. "He's expected back by the opening round."
