Eyes could turn to Sheens as possible Dragons coach
By Paul Haigh and Michael Carayannis
May 20, 2014, 11:22 a.m.
On the list: Tim Sheens. Picture: Brendan Esposito.
In demand: Laurie Daley. Picture: Marco Del Grande.
UPDATE: 11.50am:
By Paul Haigh:
Australian coach Tim Sheens is also on the radar as a possible candidate for St George Illawarra’s coaching job in 2015 and beyond — should it become vacant.
Sheens, 63, has coached an incredible 669 games at the highest level during his career including stints with Penrith (1984-87), Canberra (1988-96), North Queensland (1997-2001) and Wests Tigers (2005-2012).
Sheens has coached the Australian team since 2009.
He is not attached to any club at present but it is known he is keen for another stint at NRL level.
Sheens has won four titles as a coach: three with the Canberra Raiders in 1989-90 and 1994 and he led the Tigers to their first and only title in 2005.
He coached Canberra in the 1990 grand final, losing to Penrith.
The
Leader understands that the Dragons are interested in Sheens, and Neil Henry, the assistant coach at the Gold Coast Titans, should they decide to part company with Steve Price whose contract runs until the end of the season.
Earlier story:
By Michael Carayannis
St George Illawarra have earmarked Laurie Daley as a potential coach but will stick by Steve Price until at least the end of this season.
It is understood that NSW coach Daley sits on top of the Dragons' coaching wish list, which includes former coach Wayne Bennett and Gold Coast assistant Neil Henry.
Daley, who will lead the Blues into camp on Tuesday, has an association with the Dragons, having been part of Nathan Brown's coaching staff in 2003 in his first senior coaching position. Despite being a rookie NRL coach, Daley has impressed St George Illawarra officials with his handling of recent NSW setbacks.
The Dragons' board is in no rush to finalise its long-term coaching staff and is monitoring Bennett's situation with Newcastle closely as it looks to entice the 2010 premiership-winning coach back to the club. While Bennett has another year to run with the Knights, he is among 20 staff members to not have been paid this month. A return to Brisbane or the Dragons loom as destinations for Bennett should the situation in Newcastle worsen.
While no formal approaches have been made, the Dragons will step up their search for a long-term coach, effectively throwing the position open to all applicants. It is expected that they will meet with Henry – who is without a head coaching position for the first time since 2006 after being dumped by North Queensland at the end of last year – before finalising their decision within the next two months.
Incumbent Price has not been ruled out of extending his three-year tenure at the club, however recent results have counted against him and he is yet to guide the Dragons to a finals appearance since taking over from Bennett in 2012.
A consultant engaged by the club last year set key performance indicators for the coaching staff, including Price and assistants Craig Young and Paul McGregor, this year and put the recommendation to the Dragons board that it explore the coaching market before finalising its 2015 mentor.
The Dragons have an option on Price's services beyond this year.
St George Illawarra continue to track Craig Bellamy's situation at Melbourne, having agonisingly missed out on having the veteran coach lead them this year.
Regardless of St George Illawarra's long-term plans, Price is expected to coach the club until at least the end of this year.
Fairfax Media was told that it would take a run of catastrophic results for Price to be sacked before the season's end. Only David Waite has left the club mid-season since the joint venture was established in 1999.
Price's position has been under increasing pressure as the Dragons slumped to six losses from their past seven games when they were left scoreless against Parramatta on Saturday. For the second consecutive year, the Dragons have started their season with four wins from 10 matches, in a dramatic form reversal after winning three of their opening four games.
A handful of disgruntled Dragons fans went to St George Leagues Club to protest against the club's predicament, with banners attacking Price and Dragons chief executive Peter Doust on Sunday.
Doust has a long-term contract at the club.
The uncertainty surrounding the long-term Dragons coach has not stopped St George Illawarra from being active in the player market. Having secured Benji Marshall until the end of 2016, the Dragons are hopeful of luring Kevin Proctor and Tariq Sims for next season as they look to bulk up their back-row stocks.
http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2...-to-sheens-as-possible-dragons-coach/?cs=1633
