That is a good idea. But they all aren't off contract for a long time. The Cleary's are both off contract at the end of 27. Hughes is older than Nathan as well. We should however be offering Bellamy massive money, even if he knocks us back. We should also be trying to sign Frank Ponissi as well.
Talau has more coaching experience than Benji Marshall and Keiran Foran. He has been coaching teams for quite a while. I wouldn't be against him getting the job. Talau may attractive to players of Polynesian decent and managers such as Tyran Smith. Similar to how Marshall has been.More importantly, I'm coming around toEdward position. A good manager as coach with very technical minded assistants. Talau deserves to be promoted but probably isn't ready for head coach yet.
What's the idea?
Getting Cheika from the Roosters I think.
Cheika head coach? Is he the guy from Rugby? Wallabies former coach or something like that?More importantly, I'm coming around to
Yep.
Yep. Look, I don't know anything about him really. I heard the name in rugby circles at some point but that's about it. But Mug Fan said he's a good man-manager, well liked and respected, has a lot connections in Aus and internationally. Maybe he's not as technically proficient as someone from a League background but that's ok. That's what good assistants are for.
Wouldn't he be doing the same job Watsford is doing? So sack Watsford? He's only been in the job a few months. Should've sacked Flanno already but at least give him a chance.
Watsford is the CEO, not the General Manager of Football. The current GM of F is Ben Haran.
In that case, definitely do it.
Yeah meant in a GM role
Pie in the sky stuff you write about
Frank Facer . Fact is this club, our club has been a no go zone area for player managers for at least the last 8 yrs. This is the genral concensus inside the RL community. 
There have been a few sliding door moments like this with Richo and Ryles.. basically done deals... but the old boys essentially blocked it i.e. they wont allow anyone to come in who could essentially fire or undermine their positions.. which I get but this is the reality of them taking that position...
Jesus this pisses me off, he was kicking the can down the road/lowering expectations 2 years ago ffs“Our focus is 2025. We’ve made some changes in 2024 and we’re still looking for some players, but our real focus will be for 2025 and 2026.”
That was Shane Flanagan in early 2024, before he’d even taken a competitive game as coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons.
See here:
So you are saying our problems were there long before Flanno took over. That is what I have been saying too.Pie in the sky stuff you write about
There was a distinct lack of interaction between those in recruitment and the players managers, no connection at all. Add to this our atrocious discipline and cultural issues at that time, no player managers worth their salt ever suggested that their clients join our club.
Include in that, they wouldn't be coming into a club that could put out a competitive top 8 team. The proof of that is in our recruitment and retention since 2018 and our miserable on field results.
We have addressed those internal discipline and cultural issues and put into place a very decent pathways, now a new COE. We have done everything possible internally to make our club more attractive to the general RL community, players, player managers and administrative staff.
Unfortunately for us some players and player managers have long memories and just do not wish to join a club whose head coach is tainted by a drug related past that left a very sour taste in a number of players and their managers.
It will, and has taken time to grow our squad internally through our pathways and I am looking forward to seeing the makeup of our team in 2027 after our signing of a genuine class player to lead our young pack in KK. To my eye we will have a genuinely competitive engine room next season.
But we still need to repair the years of neglect that hinders our ability to recruit and retain more class like players, hopefully we are turning the corner with the signing of KK. Only time will tell.
