With Brad Fittler stepping away from his place as NSW head coach, the Blues are getting ready for a brand new period as they purpose to finish a two-year dropping streak to the Maroons.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart seemed to be the main contender for the job, nonetheless he has eliminated himself from the race, as has former Blues enforcer Paul Gallen.
So who will the NSWRL pin their religion in subsequent? There’s definitely no scarcity of choices.
Read on for among the potential candidates for the Blues prime job!
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LAURIE DALEY
Appears to be one of many favourites at this stage.
Daley coached the Blues from 2013-2017 and was the final on the helm earlier than Brad Fittler took over in 2018.
Daley’s 2014 Blues’ squad ended the Maroons historic eight-year reign, so he has runs on the board even when his total file in cost wasn’t flash (one collection win in 5 years).
Veteran rugby league reporter Danny Weidler appeared on Daley’s Big Sports Breakfast present in the course of the week and stated “I’m getting told there is a push for you behind the scenes to become Blues coach”.
“I’m not saying that you’re driving it and you’re responsible for that but there are people rallying support for you behind the scenes. That’s a fact,” Weidler stated.
Daley responded by saying he’s open to the prospect to teach NSW once more.
“I’ve said along if people thought I could help out I would help out in any role. Coach could be an option, being a mentor, being in a leadership role, whatever it may be. I’m always happy to help where I can,” he stated.
The apparent question with Daley is whether or not he could be efficient stepping again into the high-pressure position after doing little or no teaching within the final six years, bar just a few video games on the helm of the Indigenous All-Stars workforce.
CRAIG BELLAMY
Considering his aggressive nature, you’d think about the Storm maestro would have some curiosity in one other crack as Blues coach after his uncermonius first stint in cost.
Bellamy coached NSW for 3 years from 2008-2010 throughout Queensland’s eight yr profitable streak.
His stats don’t make for excellent studying, with Bellamy-led Blues groups profitable solely two video games and dropping seven.
Bellamy was fast to close down the opportunity of teaching NSW again in June, telling reporters he wasn’t occupied with returning to the Origin enviornment.
Of course on the time, Fittler was nonetheless in cost so with the place now vacant, Bellamy’s tune could have modified.
One factor is for positive, if Bellamy does get one other alternative to teach NSW, it would pit him towards his former fullback Billy Slater in a tantalising match-up.
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PHIL GOULD
The most profitable NSW coach in historical past, with only one collection loss from eight campaigns, would at all times be welcomed again in Blues camp by gamers.
Gould both performed, coached or has been an administrator in first-grade for 47 years and is extensively thought-about one of many sharpest minds within the recreation.
However, it was reported the NSWRL board had a difficulty with Brad Fittler eager to convey Gould onto his workers for 2024.
The 65-year-old is a powerful persona however why the highest brass are hesitant to get him again concerned stays unclear.
Gould is presently the overall supervisor on the Bulldogs and a few pundits have questioned if he’d have the time to teach the Blues once more.
What can’t be questioned is his potential to win, with Gould lifting the protect six instances – whereas additionally drawing a collection – throughout his two stints as coach between 1992-96 and 2002-04.
JOHN CARTWRIGHT
He’s been a key a part of the Broncos beautiful resurgence over the past three seasons as an assistant beneath Kevin Walters and now the previous Titans coach has thrown his hat within the ring to result in Blues.
Cartwright boasts over 20 years of NRL teaching expertise, however hasn’t been a head coach since standing down from the Titans in 2014.
Unlike just a few of the names on this listing, Cartwright has publicly expressed his curiosity and believes he’s the correct man for the job.
“I’m definitely interested (in the NSW job),’’ Cartwright said to News Corp.
“I’ve always loved that arena. I’ve been fortunate enough to work in it on and off for the last 15 years. It would be a dream job for me.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to play for NSW and then be involved as a coach. Just seeing the dominance of Queensland, off and on, over the last 15 years, it’s a challenge and I love a challenge.
“Winning a premiership is the ultimate but Origin is something that is uniquely different and I believe you have to understand how big of a beast it is.
“I know I can bring something to the role. It’s not like coaching a club team. I think it’s a fair bit different. But I think coaches that are day-to-day on the job are really important.
“Knowing how the players expect to prepare, having someone that is experienced in doing that is really important.”
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MICHAEL MAGUIRE
Even although he hasn’t coached since he was sacked by the Tigers in 2022, ‘Madge’ will probably be a number one contender for this job.
Having coached over 300 NRL video games, his CV is definitely sturdy sufficient. He led Souths to a premiership in 2014 and boasts a 10-5 file because the Kiwis coach.
In addition to his consultant duties with New Zealand, McGuire is an assistant coach beneath Ricky Stuart on the Raiders.
He’s made no secret of his need to teach the Blues, labelling the prospect to take action a “dream”, nonetheless it isn’t identified whether or not McGuire would be capable to coach each NZ and NSW.
“I can’t really answer (if he can do both jobs), I’m really enjoying coaching the Kiwi boys,” Maguire informed SEN again in June.
“But you always look at a situation, it would always be a dream to coach at the Origin arena but look, I’m very comfortable with what I’m doing at the moment.”
IVAN CLEARY
The Blues might do rather a lot worse than appointing Penrith’s coach on the again of profitable three straight premierships.
Cleary has been a head coach within the NRL since 2006 and boasts a 56 per cent profitable file from his 423 video games in cost on the Warriors, Tigers and Panthers.
The 52-year-old has been in a position to get the perfect out of his son Nathan in clubland and will assist the star halfback lastly conquer the Origin enviornment.
Cleary has additionally already coached NSW regulars Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Liam Martin, Jarome Luai and Api Koroisau.
Cleary sat in Brad Fittler’s field for Origin III this yr which was the one recreation of the collection which the Blues gained.
Whether the Panthers’ board could be prepared to share their coach in the course of the season stays to be seen.
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MICHAEL ENNIS
He’s one of many outsiders of the sphere contemplating his lack of expertise however there’s many good judges who imagine Ennis has what it takes to be a profitable head coach within the NRL in the future.
An astute rugby league thoughts, Ennis presently works as an analyst on Fox League and can be a part of Anthony Seibold’s Manly workers on a part-time position in 2024.
The 39-year previous has beforehand labored on the teaching workers of the Sharks, Eels and Raiders, with Canberra reaching a grand remaining throughout Ennis’ time within the nation’s capital.
Will the NSW board put their religion in an inexperienced coach to guide the Blues out of two straight collection losses? It stays to be seen, nonetheless there’s no doubting the previous NSW dummy-half gained’t lack any ardour if the Blues take a flyer on him.
PAUL MCGREGOR
McGregor was an assistant for the Blues beneath Brad Fittler in 2022 and 2023 however when Freddy stepped down from the position, the previous Dragons coach knowledgeable NSWRL that he wouldn’t be concerned in 2024.
Will the Blues flip to a former Fittler assistant so quickly? It’s in all probability unlikely.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
