Interim Coach for 2026 - Dean Young

Talk is Benny Creagh will replace Haran as Football Manager guys. His first job is to determine whether Su'a leaves this season or next, plus the futures of Gutho, Holmes and Cook. Benny alongside CEO Tim Watsford have also been tasked with a thorou scrutiny of every person and dept in footy operations.

Wondering if Su'a now regrets pulling the plug a week or so before Flanagans sacking and missing a chance to continue with a new head coach and footy manager?

Dragons Chris said:

Is there such a thing as a tackling coach? Isn't it just the job of the assistant in charge of defence?

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I'm no expert, but I suspect there is a big difference between teaching someone HOW to tacke v. designing and implementing defensive systems. Blokes like JDB & Coops were exceptional one-on-one defenders who could add a lot of value as tackling mentors. A Defense coach could do worse than engaging them or someone similar to work with individual players on technique. Who that Defence Coach should be, I don't know. Maybe look at the best defending teams to see what they are doing. Could we find someone similar ..... or poach theirs?

redv13 said:

To be honest, I feel sorry for Kyle. He gets pumped from pillar to post and it’s due to his old man. He’s played 50 games for us. Missed 4 games in 2024 due to suspension, missed zero games in 2025 and missed 1 game this year vs Nth QLD after he was knocked out vs the GC.

That’s 5 games in 2 and a bit years, picked every other available game. It wasn’t his fault. His old man needs to wear that plus the continual dribble of Kyle being top 3 or 4 every week, best half in the club. Surely the dopey old man should have thought hang on, engage brain before opening mouth.

I really can’t see Kyle picking up another gig once he’s done with us which in all seriousness could be at the end of this season, 1 year early. ESL will be his only option. No shame in that but his old man really did him a disservice and made him a very easy and laughable target each week

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Doppy old man hit the nail on the head he lost the players when he stated we were not going to win the comp and we don't have the cattle. I would of said stuff you mate too. Let's hope their behind Deno. I also hope he swaps Holmes back I reckon he would come back to life. I'm sure he lost it with flanno

Dragons Chris said:

Is there such a thing as a tackling coach? Isn't it just the job of the assistant in charge of defence?

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I remember seeing docos on the Storm that definitely has tackling coaches. I suppose we all would love our forwards to have the same technique JDB had

Justadragon said:

I remember seeing docos on the Storm that definitely has tackling coaches. I suppose we all would love our forwards to have the same technique JDB had

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Jimmy Moran is our wrestling and tackle coach.

Mug Fan said:

Jimmy Moran is our wrestling and tackle coach.

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Thanks Mug I knew we would have had to have one.

Eric said:

I was/am of that opinion and I'm not silent. In a perfect world Reed would have many more games in NSW Cup and make his NRL debut late in the year. But circumstances have made it so there is no other option. LKT and O'Neill are both injured, Kyle had to go so unless we are going to make a deal with Parra to bring back JDB to play halfback this week, Reed is the only option available.

As is, it was a nice touch from Deano to go on the short drive over to Reed's parents house and tell him what was going on personally in front of his family. Must give Reed a lot of confidence.

You have been raving on and on about how sacking Flanno wasn't the right move.

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Agree mate. I’ve made it known many times my thoughts on Kade and his development for 2026 but obviously Mr Lol only sees what he wants to see. There’s plenty on here who share the same thoughts, mug, jo and plenty of others. But Mr Lol is an absolute legend in his own mind.

RedVHeartbeat said:

You think Jack with his dozen yrs of NRL experience can only manage correct tackling techniques, but not developing and implementing defensive strategies, ensuring the team maintains a strong defensive structure during games, focus on improving the team's ability to prevent the opposition from scoring and managing defensive drills during practice. Jack could do all that on his head.

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I would prefer Mat Cooper

It’s the backline that needs a rocket on how to defend

Another pleasing interview/quiz by the NRL 360 crew.

Mug Fan said:

Jimmy Moran is our wrestling and tackle coach.

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Not a fan of him. Deans mate from up north

RandomDragon said:

Not a fan of him. Deans mate from up north

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He doesn't seem to have taught that well.

Just listening to some podcasts and man, there isn’t a person that thinks their the main character or more important to the world than Braith Anasta

What a f*cking wanker he is

4 important lessons from the Flanno era:

1. Don't recruit your own son. If he comes through the grades and earns his spot, like Nathan Cleary did it's ok but no recruiting of one's son.
2. Back the young players in the club. Right from the jump
3. Recruiting veterans should only be done in exceptional circumstances. To recruit several veterans at the same time is madness.
4. Don't engage is favouritism.

I know these things just seem like common sense yet they are 4 things Flanno didn't do.

Mailroomsgi said:

Just listening to some podcasts and man, there isn’t a person that thinks their the main character or more important to the world than Braith Anasta

What a f*cking wanker he is

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I loathe him.. I made the mistake of looking at some of the comments on a Kent vs Braith meme recently.. Braith actually has a lot of supporters.. shocked me to the core.. many probably dont see through the facade he has up.. but he is such a w***er.. like the literal definition of one.. we are probably more suspect to it because he is always angling to take jabs at Saints.. he rarely does it directly unless he has too.. he prefers to ask loaded questions to his panelists, to try and trigger them into doing it for him. Tonight was the first night that he was clearly trying to present himself as positive towards us.. which isnt that hard to do with a 0W/OL record for Coach Young.. and a new untested halfback... whats not to be positive about.

Kent is someone I have disliked at different times too.. he got a bit cocky after a few years on 360, but you also get takes from him you dont hear from anyone else.. and since he got dethroned after his incident, the best side of him comes out on his podcast.. and then throw in his recovery from cancer.. any w*nkery has been washed away... he doesnt always get it right but its mostly good.. he actually called out the journos on tuesday (including himself) for being weak as pi$$ for their complete and utter meltdown over very measured criticism from Lancaster.. esp given the journos literally dish it out on the daily.

Hilarious how it’s all played out for Hooper and kent

Talentless bums who have a serious drinking problem which is the reason their grifting on their homemade podcasts now (their takes are also dreadful)

I actually rate the likes of Keary, Reni Matua and Blake Austin who I’ve heard in the media of late

Good opinions and no hidden agenda’s. just calling it how it is

On the new coach topic, practically every coach whose name is thrown up will have positivity attached to them. There’s no baggage around them like there was with Flanagan

I like Kenty, sometimes he's right sometimes he's not.. but agree on Keary, I thought he was a bit harsh on monday re: press conference, but overall enjoy his take, and yes Blake Austin has been a revelation on Bloke.. finally someone not just agreeing with Beaks ill-thought-out rants.

Would obviously help if we were more respected as a club.. I had to slop listening to anything with Willie Mason in it years ago, the guy just gives it to us deluxe.. been listening to um Townsend and BMoz a little too.... Townsend is kind.. but BMoz doesnt seem to harbour any warm feelings for us... sees himself as a dog i spose..... tbf we havent won in nearly 8 months.. so I cant disagree with many of their comments.

TheRev said:

I like Kenty, sometimes he's right sometimes he's not.. but agree on Keary, I thought he was a bit harsh on monday re: press conference, but overall enjoy his take, and yes Blake Austin has been a revelation on Bloke.. finally someone not just agreeing with Beaks ill-thought-out rants.

Would obviously help if we were more respected as a club.. I had to slop listening to anything with Willie Mason in it years ago, the guy just gives it to us deluxe.. been listening to um Townsend and BMoz a little too.... Townsend is kind.. but BMoz doesnt seem to harbour any warm feelings for us... sees himself as a dog i spose..... tbf we havent won in nearly 8 months.. so I cant disagree with many of their comments.

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I like the big oak tree that cleaned up Kenty in Rozelle much more than the bloke himself. Arrogant prick

Mailroomsgi said:

On the new coach topic, practically every coach whose name is thrown up will have positivity attached to them. There’s no baggage around them like there was with Flanagan

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I guess it depends how things fare in the next 4-6 weeks.. if Dean does even remotely well, good luck getting the job off him...

Of the others.. Hornby im not opposed too, but not sure how much better than Dean he would be.. probably more intelligent and articulate.. the 2 of them might be something as a pair.. but that's a weird power dynamic when things don't go well.

But hoping to hear more about where this Cheika rumour has come from.. maybe its just the standard b/s one that every club gets.. but be fascinating if we really were talking more seriously about structure, assistants etc.

Can't think of anyone else bar Arthur.. but those words about player pulling power are ringing in my head.. arent too many other coaches I can think of who can do that...

redv13 said:

Agree mate. I’ve made it known many times my thoughts on Kade and his development for 2026 but obviously Mr Lol only sees what he wants to see. There’s plenty on here who share the same thoughts, mug, jo and plenty of others. But Mr Lol is an absolute legend in his own mind.

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lol
I don't think I am a legend.
When others tell me I am a legend, I say Not yet.

RedV01 said:

4 important lessons from the Flanno era:

1. Don't recruit your own son. If he comes through the grades and earns his spot, like Nathan Cleary did it's ok but no recruiting of one's son.
2. Back the young players in the club. Right from the jump
3. Recruiting veterans should only be done in exceptional circumstances. To recruit several veterans at the same time is madness.
4. Don't engage is favouritism.

I know these things just seem like common sense yet they are 4 things Flanno didn't do.

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Been banging on about this for two years. He cut his own throat.