Hunt agrees to monster 6 year deal.

[Coffs dragon]

I would like to see Walters take the job, he has plenty to prove and I am sure would coach an entertaining style of play.

I agree and after 2017 he will have had 2 years as QLD origin coach which brings plenty of credibility & respect with the rep players ranks. He's worked alongside both Bennett & Bellamy for many years as their assistant, with his area of expertise in the halves & attack. Don't forget the bond he shares with Mark Coyne, whom has been in the QLD Origin team management set up for many years. As I said previously, I have a gut feeling that Coyney may be responsible for some very big future coaching decisions well in the background and confidential in order to not derail 2017 under McAnchor.

 

[possm]

I don't think these questions can be truly answered until we know who the coach is and who he wants to keep. I hate the excuse he didn't have the team he wanted. Now is the time to find and appointed the new coach so he can have input into who is retained and let go and who is targeted.

I agree! Announce the new coach now and allow him to select his staff and have input into the squad for 2018. To me Cleary is the most obvious candidate.

 

[emu62]

I agree and after 2017 he will have had 2 years as QLD origin coach which brings plenty of credibility & respect with the rep players ranks. He's worked alongside both Bennett & Bellamy for many years as their assistant, with his area of expertise in the halves & attack. Don't forget the bond he shares with Mark Coyne, whom has been in the QLD Origin team management set up for many years. As I said previously, I have a gut feeling that Coyney may be responsible for some very big future coaching decisions well in the background and confidential in order to not derail 2017 under McAnchor.

McAnchor !!!! very appropriate & very funny

 

[St Georgio]

I am sure most here would have this same thought, hopefully Doust and the board see it this way too..Signing Ben Hunt will be a complete useless signing if we don't appoint a top class coach!
It is well known that we have some really good young players coming through the grades, this period for the Red V reminds of the dragons of 2002------->2006, they built a really good squad with the likes of Baz,Gaz, Timmo,Coops,Luke Bailey, Jason Riles and Co only to throw away a GF in 2005 and 2006 because they appointed Nathan Brown as head coach.
Signing someone like Des Hasler is so important for us to see another premiership or two!

 

[dino2170]

its very risky signing a long term contract. what happens if he gets injured and doesent recover quickly say when he is 29 or 30. 2 years into his contract. where are we then.

 

[_Johnsy]

I think Hunts a good player, nervous about a six year contract however.

The thing I can't get my head around is that we have signed a high profile half to start in 2018 (not this year) to an extremely long term contract without a long term head coach. This seems very much like someone has said this is what they need to build the team around. Is there a coach in waiting, sitting in the wings giving directions?

Has to be IMO.

 

[Dragon Revival]

Bennett has a Broncos coaching contract for $1.7 million only until 2017. Demetriou may then take over.

 

[St Georgio]

Bennett has a Broncos coaching contract for $1.7 million only until 2017. Demetriou may then take over.

Are you suggesting we go for Bennett?

 

[TomRedVRiver]

I've been saying for a while that the club should have gone hard for Ivan Cleary from the beginning. A few people here have said that they did, but he knocked them back. Whilst I find that hard to believe, if it's true, then Hasler is the only option.
Hunt is used to playing under an accomplished coach, if McGregor stays it will severely impact his development. Hasler is experienced and demands success, it makes the most sense to go after him.

 

[dino2170]

a twitter from saints suggest this deal is not official yet

 

[since77]

I've said from the beginning the club should have gone hard for Ivan Cleary from the beginning. A few people here have said that they did, but he knocked them back. Whilst I find that hard to believe, if it's true, then Hasler is the only option.
Hunt is used to playing under an accomplished coach, if McGregor stays it will severely impact his development. Hasler is experienced and demands success, it makes the most sense to go after him.

Have said it many times - Cleary is overrated and is not the guy we need. Walters, Hasler and JD are the best coaches available at the moment to suit the 2018 squad.

 

[emu62]

I've said from the beginning the club should have gone hard for Ivan Cleary from the beginning. A few people here have said that they did, but he knocked them back. Whilst I find that hard to believe, if it's true, then Hasler is the only option.
Hunt is used to playing under an accomplished coach, if McGregor stays it will severely impact his development. Hasler is experienced and demands success, it makes the most sense to go after him.

On the contrary. word is he knocked us back as he did not want McWrecker there.Cant blame him for that. Sounds like free passage once McWreckers contract is over.

 

[possm]

Hasler, Walters or Cleary would be OK with me. Hell! anyone but Mary and his current coaching staff would be an improvement.

 

[mickeylane]

Buddy

its very risky signing a long term contract. what happens if he gets injured and doesent recover quickly say when he is 29 or 30. 2 years into his contract. where are we then.

Buddy Franklin anyone (10 year contract)

 

[mickeylane]

Hunt is the best signing we have made since Steve Rogers who unfiortunately was ravaged by injury in year 2 of his contract - Ben Hunt will lead the team w no trouble in the same way as JT leads Nth Qld - I would say the football board led by Mark Coyne and Millward would have flown to BRISBANE and mapped out the next 5 years of the clubs direction to Hunt including future signings and the coaching structure..

 

[Dragon Revival]

I am not recommending that we approach Bennett again. Head was a good half-back and I would like him involved in some capacity. I am not a Hasler fan. I would like a coach who
could inspire good attacking play which we saw under Brian Smith and Harry Bath. The style of play that Mc Error
promotes is typically boring and we resort to focussing on the lower grades
where there is a thrill a minute with expansive play. I would approach Demetriou and Head if it was not too late. I think that Coyne will determine the coach as he was very critical of the
coach, roster and player skills.

 

[dragonssamy61]

I am not recommending that we approach Bennett again. Head was a good half-back and I would like him involved in some capacity. I am not a Hasler fan. I would like a coach who
could inspire good attacking play which we saw under Brian Smith and Harry Bath. The style of play that Mc Error
promotes is typically boring and we resort to focussing on the lower grades
where there is a thrill a minute with expansive play. I would approach Demetriou and Head if it was not too late. I think that Coyne will determine the coach as he was very critical of the
coach, roster and player skills.

Revival
I understand what your saying.
Then kevin walters would also be a good fit.
If he was interested

 

[TomRedVRiver]

I am not recommending that we approach Bennett again. Head was a good half-back and I would like him involved in some capacity. I am not a Hasler fan. I would like a coach who
could inspire good attacking play which we saw under Brian Smith and Harry Bath. The style of play that Mc Error
promotes is typically boring and we resort to focussing on the lower grades
where there is a thrill a minute with expansive play. I would approach Demetriou and Head if it was not too late. I think that Coyne will determine the coach as he was very critical of the
coach, roster and player skills.

I agree, but the whole thing about Hasler being a poor attacking coach confuses me.
When he was at Manly some of the attacking plays that he ran there were pretty revolutionary. I remember some of their backline movements were so quick and like nothing i'd seen before.
No idea what happened when he got to the Bulldogs.

 

[Dragsters]

I'm not on here to troll and say you have done the wrong thing.

Just pointing out the fact it was a farce when we did it, now its a great idea.

You guys needed a Hunt so fair play.

I didn't suggest you were trolling.

I just think you may may have gotten your 6's and 5's mixed up.

5 million over 6 years is 833k per season which is a long way off 1.2 million.

6 years is along time and whether or not it's a good idea remains to be seen.

Still all conjecture at this point anyhow, but given the pending cap increase and the quality of halfback Hunt is, it may well prove to be a shrewder signing than say, DCE for example.

Time will tell...

 

[BrissyRedV]

I think Hunts a good player, nervous about a six year contract however.

The thing I can't get my head around is that we have signed a high profile half to start in 2018 (not this year) to an extremely long term contract without

I agree, but the whole thing about Hasler being a poor attacking coach confuses me.
When he was at Manly some of the attacking plays that he ran there were pretty revolutionary. I remember some of their backline movements were so quick and like nothing i'd seen before.
No idea what happened when he got to the Bulldogs.

Initially they lacked the halves and fullback he had at Manly. He should get credit however, for being able to adapt a game plan to get the best out of the side he had and make a couple of GFs.