Ex-Origin coaches train young Sharks
James Silver
Saturday, December 13, 2008
© The Cairns Post
MOSSMAN Sharks players will enter the 2009 Cairns District Rugby League season with a message from master mentors Graham Murray and Michael Hagan fresh in their memories: we%u2019ll be watching your progress.
The former State of Origin coaches travelled to Mossman this week to help rebuild the club, which has struggled on the field and been embroiled in in-fighting off it.
Murray, who coached the North Queensland Cowboys from 2002 until May this year, and the NSW Blues in 2006-07, said he was thrilled to be able to give something back to the sport at a grassroots level.
He was aware of Mossmans past problems when he accepted the invitation, and was keen to do his bit to help. "(In the past) there was a bit of bickering and I suppose a lack of confidence in what you are doing but I saw a hell lot of confident young blokes and they were very, very receptive in what we did and I hope we were able to teach them something, he said.
The former coaches arrived on Monday, and stayed at the Daintree Eco Lodge.
Lodge owner Terry Maloney organised the visit and is part of the drive to reinvigorate the club.
Murray and Hagan visited local schools and conducted skills sessions with Sharks players.
Murray kept his advice simple, reminding the keen youngsters that stars such as North Queensland halfback Johnathan Thurston and Newcastle legend Andrew Johns still had to put the hard work in at training to get results.
Murray still lives in Townsville and retains an interest in the Cowboys.
But the Sharks are now his second team, and he is keen to drive to Tully next season to see his team take on the Tigers.
"Ill read the paper and see how theyre going and well take an interest in the Sharks, he said.
"The least Ill do is Ill get to that Tully game but dont rule out that Ill get to a home game either.
Hagan, who stood down as Parramatta coach at the end of the NRL season and coached Queensland in 2004-05, was also keen to retain a link with the club, saying he would consider returning next winter to check on the clubs progress.
"We went there to try to put a bit back into the game, Hagan said.
"Graham and I are not coaching as such now but we are very passionate about the sport and we like to see kids play our game and were happy to give them a hand, Hagan said. "It was good to see young kids with smiles on their face and enjoying themselves. It puts a different slant on it when youve been a professional for so long."
