I've sat back and watched this unfold and it's ashamedly getting from bad to worse and is now at a point of NO return! Surely it is impossible to continue with Price. This is a results driven game and he just can't get the results! I've never written on here before but wanted to voice my opinion.
What's needed is to replace him with quality and to do it now! The only problem is that there are not many coaches not contracted somewhere else that could be available say next week. Some of the names tossed up are just as bad as Price! I follow both the NRL and UK SL and take an interest in the Aussies over there. When talking to some UK friends about the plight of the Dragons a name was tossed up and I did some more research after remembering watching a few games of his. I remember this person as a player in the NRL before he moved away to cut his teeth in the coaching ranks. And cut his teeth he did.
The person I refer to is Justin Morgan. Some of you might recall him being a Parramatta junior and playing several seasons under Brian Smith. He spent a year in Canberra before playing for the NZ Warriors under Daniel Anderson for a few years. And then he retired. Not a super star player but one that put the hard yards in and got the job done.
He then moved to Toulouse France to start his coaching career. Had had an amateur team and got them up to the Grand Final after a couple of years there after a dominant season. But more noteworthy were his achievements in the Challenge Cup. His part time team defeated a full time SL team and went all the way to the semi finals where he faced Tony Smith's team. A close game by all accounts but they lost to the stronger team of the SL. It was the first time a French amateur team ever played in the Challenge Cup Semi Final.
After this winning streak, he was head hunted by Hull Kingston Rovers who were in the National League then. Again he had a basic team and the goal of securing them a place into the SL. It took him one full season to achieve that and that year his team won nearly all their games over the entire season. Not only did his team make and win the grand final to secure their first year in SL, but back then there was a relegation system in place so they had to stay up in the SL by not getting the wooden spoon - something that happened to nearly all the teams that were promoted.
Morgan's team did more than that. They surprised many and were competitive in the competition and made the play offs every year Morgan was there. He built a formidable team and blooded many UK youngsters and lured many an Aussie player, to name a few, Clint Newton, Mick Vella, Ben Galea, Willie Mason, Blake Green and Michael Dobson. Some of those players have left KR better players. Clint Newton returning to the NRL and Dobson following next season to Newcastle. Morgan's players are loyal with nearly a dozen leaving the year he did and with Dobson leaving this season that's the majority of his players gone.
Morgan stepped into the NRL as assistant coach to Furner at Canberra last year and they made a late surge for the play offs. He was up there in the final three for the NZ Warriors job last year according to the NZ press. Morgan is currently working under Daniel Anderson again as a Video Referee, Mentor and Match Reviewer. He is free from a contract at any club. At the moment his Linked In profile (his CV is quite impressive) says he is waiting for his next NRL Club. Well here is one he can take!
Morgan could be just what is needed here! He has served as a Head Coach for nearly 10 years and had a great deal of success in turning down and out clubs and players into regular play off teams and according to all reports in the UK he did it with Hull KR on limited funds. We've seen some great things this season in other coaches that have some from the SL; Maguire, Potter and Robinson. It was Morgan who gave Trent Robinson his coaching break when he played in his French team. He became Morgan's assistant.
Price has got to go and we need a replacement immediately, it can't wait till the end of the season. What have we got to lose? I think Morgan would do a better job than Price. And if the board are weary of a non-big name coach then at least offer it to him till the end of the season to see what he can do. The Tigers have taken a punt with Potter. I'd definitely back Morgan. Who else is there for right now?
The other thing to keep in mind is that with three clubs in the hunt for new head coaches we need to be the first off the blocks. When you look at who's out there and available surely Morgan has to be near the top of that list. We can not go on with Price as it's becoming embarrassing and the fans are growing more and more unsettled. I really hope the board ring in the changes this week. And if they read the voice of the fans I hope they talk to Morgan as he is available to coach now and he's got a good track record in the SL.
SOMETHING HAS TO HAPPEN NOW!
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