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Hagan is Eels calm before Storm
Andrew Webster | September 19, 2007
Senior Eels players were so concerned that new coach Michael Hagan was too laid back after demoralising losses this season, they begged him to "rip into us".
"There have been a few times this year, when we've gone very badly, and a few of us senior players were concerned," captain Nathan Cayless revealed yesterday. "We wanted him to rip into a few of them because they needed it."
Then, after that shock 14-6 loss to the Dragons in Wollongong in round 24, the red mist descended on the coach who is usually calmer than a blue ocean.
"He snapped. That's only one time when he's ripped into us - after that loss in Wollongong," Nathan Cayless recalled.
"Since then, we've really turned it around."
But the red mist descends over the affable Hagan for only so long. His serenity, according to Eels players, is the reason they are purring in this finals series.
It's in stark contrast to other semi-final campaigns under former coach Brian Smith, whose intensity is believed to have lifted some players and worn down others.
"I think that was the case for some players," said Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald, who head-hunted Hagan from Newcastle last year to replace Smith.
"But that's going to happen at any club when you've got a coach who has been there for as long as Brian was here."
Cayless said: "Brian did a great job. He's left a great legacy in the young players who are coming through here. He's responsible for setting up the system 10 years ago that we're still benefiting from. But Hages has really bonded the team together and really got us to enjoy our footy."
You bet.
At the back of Parramatta Stadium yesterday, Eels players wearing boardies kicked back and happily answered as many questions as the media could throw at them as we all ate a barbeque lunch.
Remember: Parramatta play competition heavyweights Melbourne at Telstra Dome on Sunday in the second grand final qualifying match.
"His calmness rubs off on the whole place," said reborn five-eighth Brett Finch, the former Rooster to whom Hagan threw a career lifeline.
"That's been the massive advantage for us over the last two weeks of the semis. On Saturday night, against the Bulldogs, everyone was relaxed.
"His calmness doesn't mean he's any less focused. He's talking with you, not at you."
When Hagan led the Knights to a premiership at Newcastle in 2001, Knights players talked about him being more like a brother than a coach.
There is a similar vibe at Parramatta.
"Mate, I feel good," Hagan said. "I do feel relaxed. We want to go as far as we can and enjoy every week as we go along. I've had a really good year. I've enjoyed working with a tremendous staff, a new playing roster - getting to know and learn about them; understanding their characters and sense of humour."
So uninhibited is Hagan, he's cracking jokes when the tension in the rooms is palpable.
"I don't think I've got any jokes, and they'd be corny if I did," he said. "Trying to keep things relaxed is something you need to do at this time of year. There's no real expectation or pressure on us, either. Nobody is tipping us to go much further."
Hagan also doesn't feel the need to fulfil the expectations of those who have questioned whether he can win a premiership that does not feature champion Knights playmaker Andrew Johns.
"I don't feel any pressure to do well because of that at all," he said. "That has never bothered me. In some ways, I see comparisons between this side and the Knights team of 2001.
"Like then, we are going to have to do it the hard way: over in New Zealand, against the Bulldogs, and then down in Melbourne. If you can remain healthy, and get an ounce of luck, you're entitled to think you can go a fair way."
Finch said: "We'll keep on laughing anyway."
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/jester-hagan-is-parras-calm-before-storm/2007/09/18/1189881512658.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
Andrew Webster | September 19, 2007
Senior Eels players were so concerned that new coach Michael Hagan was too laid back after demoralising losses this season, they begged him to "rip into us".
"There have been a few times this year, when we've gone very badly, and a few of us senior players were concerned," captain Nathan Cayless revealed yesterday. "We wanted him to rip into a few of them because they needed it."
Then, after that shock 14-6 loss to the Dragons in Wollongong in round 24, the red mist descended on the coach who is usually calmer than a blue ocean.
"He snapped. That's only one time when he's ripped into us - after that loss in Wollongong," Nathan Cayless recalled.
"Since then, we've really turned it around."
But the red mist descends over the affable Hagan for only so long. His serenity, according to Eels players, is the reason they are purring in this finals series.
It's in stark contrast to other semi-final campaigns under former coach Brian Smith, whose intensity is believed to have lifted some players and worn down others.
"I think that was the case for some players," said Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald, who head-hunted Hagan from Newcastle last year to replace Smith.
"But that's going to happen at any club when you've got a coach who has been there for as long as Brian was here."
Cayless said: "Brian did a great job. He's left a great legacy in the young players who are coming through here. He's responsible for setting up the system 10 years ago that we're still benefiting from. But Hages has really bonded the team together and really got us to enjoy our footy."
You bet.
At the back of Parramatta Stadium yesterday, Eels players wearing boardies kicked back and happily answered as many questions as the media could throw at them as we all ate a barbeque lunch.
Remember: Parramatta play competition heavyweights Melbourne at Telstra Dome on Sunday in the second grand final qualifying match.
"His calmness rubs off on the whole place," said reborn five-eighth Brett Finch, the former Rooster to whom Hagan threw a career lifeline.
"That's been the massive advantage for us over the last two weeks of the semis. On Saturday night, against the Bulldogs, everyone was relaxed.
"His calmness doesn't mean he's any less focused. He's talking with you, not at you."
When Hagan led the Knights to a premiership at Newcastle in 2001, Knights players talked about him being more like a brother than a coach.
There is a similar vibe at Parramatta.
"Mate, I feel good," Hagan said. "I do feel relaxed. We want to go as far as we can and enjoy every week as we go along. I've had a really good year. I've enjoyed working with a tremendous staff, a new playing roster - getting to know and learn about them; understanding their characters and sense of humour."
So uninhibited is Hagan, he's cracking jokes when the tension in the rooms is palpable.
"I don't think I've got any jokes, and they'd be corny if I did," he said. "Trying to keep things relaxed is something you need to do at this time of year. There's no real expectation or pressure on us, either. Nobody is tipping us to go much further."
Hagan also doesn't feel the need to fulfil the expectations of those who have questioned whether he can win a premiership that does not feature champion Knights playmaker Andrew Johns.
"I don't feel any pressure to do well because of that at all," he said. "That has never bothered me. In some ways, I see comparisons between this side and the Knights team of 2001.
"Like then, we are going to have to do it the hard way: over in New Zealand, against the Bulldogs, and then down in Melbourne. If you can remain healthy, and get an ounce of luck, you're entitled to think you can go a fair way."
Finch said: "We'll keep on laughing anyway."
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/jester-hagan-is-parras-calm-before-storm/2007/09/18/1189881512658.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
