WA BEARS

[Canard]

This is the actual order that expansion should be happening. There's no way Christchurch won't be 1000× more prepared for entry than PNG in 2029.
For PNG to be successful, it'll need as much runway as possible.
You could throw Christchurch together in 6 months and it'll be successful.

Frankly any team in the developed world is going to be better prepared than PNG.

This forum is hopelessly optimistic but I don't think people realise how tough PNG is going to be.

It's literally the first time this has happened anywhere in the world.

 

[ThornlieBear]

Brad Arthur strikes me as a Brian Smith-ish "turn around" coach - the kinda coach who can lift a club from cellar to comfortably mid table/regular playoffs, BUT somehow can't instill the attitude to win in playoffs - especially Grand Finals.

Now, how much of that's his ability level & how much is the cursed-ness of Parra.. I dunno, but with Perth he has an opportunity to prove the naysayers wrong about his teams' September/October abilities.

5 years ago people were saying that about Ivan Cleary.

 

[flippikat]

Barring some fortune or Devine intervention the chances of Perth being title contenders in the first 5-10 years are very slim. We need a coach that can install the right culture for the club from day one, have a vision for the clubs teams at all age groups and be strong in building pathways and who can get the very best out of avg players. History would suggest finishing above 13th in table for first couple of years is a win and getting into a top 8 position in first 5 years is a big achievement.

Good points, and I think the near-immediate success (and sustained performance) of the Storm has blinded many to the fact that most expansion teams go through an initial era of "average at best" before they become true contenders.

Look at any expansion team in the NSWRL/ARL/Superleague/NRL, and you'll see that's typical.. I think the only expansion teams that have had lightning fast success and no substantial "average at best" period are the Bulldogs, Storm and maybe the Broncos at a stretch.

 

[Steel Saints]

lol, not unless they give us double the salary cap! Look at how hard Redcliffe found it to land star players in year 1. reality is if you want to prise a quality player away from his current team you have to pay significant overs. A solid experienced squad with one big name player and some SL talent will do for year 1 and 2.

Dolphins may not have landed "star players" in year 1, but did recruit three experienced Storm forwards and a promising young halfback like Isaiya Katoa, who potentially could become an elite halfback down the track. He was brilliant against the Storm.

Perth just needs to be smart with their recruiting. A mixture of youth and experience.

 

[flippikat]

5 years ago people were saying that about Ivan Cleary.

Very, VERY good point, and maybe Brad Arthur actually needed to change clubs a few times rather than be so long at the Eels? I would've loved to see him try to sort out a few clubs that have struggled in the last decade or so.. and hey maybe one would've delivered just the right conditions for him to really break through?

 

[Wb1234]

The problem at parra is mark oneill

Arthur had little say over player contracts and retention

Oneill is the one who has allowed all the player options which have been a disaster for the club

Eels under Arthur had their best run since the 80s

 

[Canard]

Dolphins may not have landed "star players" in year 1, but did recruit three experienced Storm forwards and a promising young halfback like Isaiya Katoa, who potentially could become an elite halfback down the track. He was brilliant against the Storm.

Perth just needs to be smart with their recruiting. A mixture of youth and experience.

That Dolphins narrative is a myth though.

In 2023 they had 4 current Origin players(Hammer, Felise, Wallace and Gilbert) in their squad and the NZ captain (Bromwich).

Brenko Lee played 1 Origin also

Half the NRL would like that talent.

 

[Cactus]

This forum is hopelessly optimistic but I don't think people realise how tough PNG is going to be.

It's literally the first time this has happened anywhere in the world.

The restart of the RL competition during Covid was a world first too but went off relatively blemish free.

 

[ThornlieBear]

This forum is hopelessly optimistic but I don't think people realise how tough PNG is going to be.

That’s the first time this forum has ever been accused of being optimistic.

 

[T-Boon]

He seemed to do a pretty good job building the Parra squad from bottom of table to a grand final? Yeh he isnt mr personality but then not many coaches are! As long as we go with someone who is experienced and has a track record of being able to build a team then that will be fine for our first few years.

They should aim for Billy Slater or someone like that. Arthur is a drag.

 

[Gobsmacked]

Dolphins may not have landed "star players" in year 1, but did recruit three experienced Storm forwards and a promising young halfback like Isaiya Katoa, who potentially could become an elite halfback down the track. He was brilliant against the Storm.

Perth just needs to be smart with their recruiting. A mixture of youth and experience.

A huge benefit that the Dolphins had was established pathways with has sprouted a few good prospects.
The Bears have this and if used effectively will be incredibly helpful. They can be spending big on longish deals for young prospects and be developing them right now.
I wonder if this is becoming the template for the NRL expansion?
South island Jets??

 

[baggygreen man]

Almost a DONE DEAL, then in '27 the NRL will no longer be a Eastern Seaboard based sport but a national one.

 

[Perth Red]

They should aim for Billy Slater or someone like that. Arthur is a drag.

Disagree, I’d prefer someone with a strong track record of squad development and pathway development. Billy would be good at a club like Storm that have all the pieces in place but we need a constructor.

 

[Nuke]

While we are shit talking. I propose the name of the club be the “Redcliffe Bears”. Creates an instant arch rival in the competition.

Love it. Dolphins didn't want it. Why not?!

 

[T-Boon]

What about the Ipswich/Rockhampton Bears?

 

[taipan]

Coach is important but getting the right talent or the best available you need a good talent scout within the organisation.
That has been shown with the Storm who have been able to develop seemingly average first graders into top notch talent and make talented players not super stars.Never forget Slater carving up the Sharks in his early days.
And even then you have to have players who will fit in and not the look at me type.

 

[T-Boon]

Disagree, I’d prefer someone with a strong track record of squad development and pathway development. Billy would be good at a club like Storm that have all the pieces in place but we need a constructor.

Brad Arthur was average at squad development and a disaster at pathway development - he puts his friend in charge of jnrs. He is a real nepo type.

 

[mongoose]

Trent Barret? yeah he can't coach for shit but he has the hollywood good looks that could draw the Perth mums.

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

You can bet your bippi once we get to 20 teams , there will be 2 Conferences. Sir Peter the Spartan has hinted as such.
The Messenger & Churchill conferences as a proposal.

Talked about a mixed metaphor.
And I think V`lad the Athenian works better, the Athenians did have an empire that stretched beyond Greece`s borders, unlike the Spartans, who though brave were just wreckers and tyrants.

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

Brad Arthur strikes me as a Brian Smith-ish "turn around" coach - the kinda coach who can lift a club from cellar to comfortably mid table/regular playoffs, BUT somehow can't instill the attitude to win in playoffs - especially Grand Finals.

Now, how much of that's his ability level & how much is the cursed-ness of Parra.. I dunno, but with Perth he has an opportunity to prove the naysayers wrong about his teams' September/October abilities.

Brad Arthur couldn`t lick Brian Smith`s boots.