LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The start of the 2025 NRL season has been especially tough for rookie coaches, with some facing a brutal reality check after just two rounds.
Experienced coaches, on the other hand, have had a great start to the season.
While it's important to remember that competitions aren't won in March and things can change quickly, the early weeks have provided valuable lessons.
One of the rookie coaches feeling the pressure is Kristian Woolf, who took over from Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins.
However, he has faced challenges, including disruptions from wild weather in Queensland.
Woolf is looking for more cohesion in attack as his team adjusts to his coaching style.
Another newcomer, Jason Ryles, is facing his own set of challenges as the Eels coach.
Without injured halfback Mitchell Moses and dealing with the fallout from Dylan Brown's upcoming move to Newcastle, Ryles is working on improving the team's defensive capabilities as they currently sit at the bottom of the ladder and have conceded the most points.
Overall, it's evident that both Woolf and Ryles are facing steep learning curves as they navigate the early stages of their coaching careers.
Despite the tough start, they are determined to push forward and make the necessary adjustments to turn their teams' performance around.
As the season progresses, they will have the opportunity to showcase their coaching abilities and prove their potential in the competitive NRL environment.
The challenges they are currently facing will provide valuable experience that will help shape their coaching philosophies and strategies in the long run.