*Official* NRL 2011 Season thread

[Craig]

And who for 2011?

Henjak's right hand man, Anthony Griffin.

 

[Mister Wright]

Griffin to stay on and Bennett to be director of coaching in 2012, with Lockyer likely to be taking up some kind of coaching role in 2012 or 2013.

 

[Ausage]

Interesting. Something a bit rotten at the Broncos one feels.

Review crushed axed Broncos coach Ivan Henjak's spirit | Courier Mail

 

[Craig]

This will come back to bite me on the arse, but I think Brisbane have no chance of luring Craig Bellamy to Brisbane anytime soon. If he didn't leave to take over when Bennett left, or he didn't leave when the salary cap scandal hit, then why would he leave now?

 

[Ausage]

It will be interesting to see how Bellamy is rated after this year. I think the Storm will go well but it amazes me that he's still rated so highly. His club achievements to this point will forever have the cheating asterisk beside them, and he's been a pure failure for NSW.

If I wouldnt be all that hasty to sign him anyway in other words.

 

[Mister Wright]

This will come back to bite me on the arse, but I think Brisbane have no chance of luring Craig Bellamy to Brisbane anytime soon. If he didn't leave to take over when Bennett left, or he didn't leave when the salary cap scandal hit, then why would he leave now?

Don't want him. Griffin is a more than capable coach.

 

[howardj]

One of the sticking points with appointing Griffin long term is that is he really a magnet to potential recruits? One of the big things players consider when switching clubs, is who the coach is that they're going to play under. It's not necessarily his fault, but Griffin just lacks a profile, lacks the attractiveness, lacks the gravitas, to potential recruits that a Bellamy or Bennett has. And we'll probably be after some marque recruits in the next few years when stalwarts such as Lockyer call it quits. Nonetheless, it's a great opportunity for Griffin which if he does well could open up some opportunities for him if not at the Broncos, then perhaps some other clubs.

 

[Ausage]

Would have thought Brisbane would be one of the few clubs that has pulling power enough to not need the filip you get from a big name coach. It's an iconic club (for Toads anyway) and you've got people like Alfie and Lockyer give you that star boost. It's mostly about the money anyway these days.

 

[howardj]

I agree with this article:

One of the morals of Henjak's failure was that it proved big clubs deserved big personalities as coaches. Manchester United has Alex Ferguson. Collingwood has Mick Malthouse.

 

[Ausage]

Such an awesome photo

Thing is though if a big name coach is what they want it still doesn't explain why they sacked him. Anthony Griffin is hardly a household name, and Henjak's contract expired at the end of the year anyway.

 

[howardj]

Ivan the Terrible had two years to run on his contract, though I stand to be corrected on that.

The Griffin promotiion is an interim/caretaker appointment IMO.

Even if we win the premiership, he won't be there next year - as they will sign a coach for 2012 mid way through this season, thus predating any possible premiership win.

 

[Ausage]

Parra for the sp00n.

Get on.

Went to the "battle of the west" last night and I gotta say I DWTA pretty strongly now. Parra took us to the cleaners. Only a trial, and we looked terrible with several players out but your mob looked fit, fast and enthusiastic. Great defensive line speed, in fact great defense all round. Still need a halfback and 5/8 obv, but it ended up 30-0 and Hayne was invisible.

Won't win the comp, but I doubt you'll get the spoon now.

 

[Craig]

I hope Todd Carney is skating on some very thin ice now. He's lucky he is good enough to make a living out of rugby league because the only thing he would be good for is flipping burgers at McDonalds.

 

[Jacknife]

Hull KR are the devil's team. Ryan Tandy playing for them sums it all up.

Luckily they're not my team, so I completely agree with you.

 

[Prince EWS]

Luckily they're not my team, so I completely agree with you.

Who do you follow?

 

[Jacknife]

Who do you follow?

The greatest team in Yorkshire Wakefield Trinity.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I agree with this article:

One of the morals of Henjak's failure was that it proved big clubs deserved big personalities as coaches. Manchester United has Alex Ferguson. Collingwood has Mick Malthouse.

Interesting that the piece criticises Henjak for being moody and lacking empathy and then goes on to give Ferguson as an example of a "big personality".

Even Sir Alex's closest friends wouldn't claim he was the world's easiest going chap and he runs Man U like his personal fifedom; he's v much a "my way or the highway" manager.

Anyway, World Club Challenge tonight. Hoping St George can down the forces of darkness.

 

[NUFAN]

Went to the "battle of the west" last night and I gotta say I DWTA pretty strongly now. Parra took us to the cleaners. Only a trial, and we looked terrible with several players out but your mob looked fit, fast and enthusiastic. Great defensive line speed, in fact great defense all round. Still need a halfback and 5/8 obv, but it ended up 30-0 and Hayne was invisible.

Won't win the comp, but I doubt you'll get the spoon now.

Yeah no way will Parra get the spoon! Justin Horo is in for a massive year, what an awesome talent he is. I really hope he is a starting back rower all season.

Can't wait for round 1 teams to be announced Tuesday week.

 

[Prince EWS]

The greatest team in Yorkshire Wakefield Trinity.

I have no problem with that. I follow Hull FC which you could probably gather by my 'KR are the devil' post.

 

[Ausage]

Yeah no way will Parra get the spoon! Justin Horo is in for a massive year, what an awesome talent he is. I really hope he is a starting back rower all season.

Can't wait for round 1 teams to be announced Tuesday week.

AWTA. Horo's a gun and was one of their best last night. Wish we got our paws on him last year. It was looking possible at one point.