LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
As the NRL season concludes, leaving 9 out of 17 teams on holiday rather than gearing up for finals, the effectiveness of coaching performance comes into focus. The fates of coaches Adam O'Brien (Knights) and Des Hasler (Titans) have already been sealed; they find themselves in the coaching wilderness. In contrast, Benji Marshall (Tigers) and Jason Ryles (Eels) have successfully revived their teams from near collapse, while Anthony Siebold (Sea Eagles), Shane Flanaghan (Dragons), and Todd Payten (Cowboys) spent much of the season staring into the abyss.
Kristian Woolf (Dolphins) has impressively managed to dispel the lingering influence of Wayne Bennett (Souths), who appeared ghost-like throughout the season. In the upcoming weeks, Ivan Cleary could be celebrated as the patron saint of Penrith if he leads his team to a remarkable fifth consecutive premiership.
Should any of the coaches-Andrew Webster (Warriors), Trent Robinson (Roosters), Michael Maguire (Broncos), Craig Fitzgibbon (Sharks), Cameron Ciraldo (Bulldogs), or Ricky Stuart (Raiders)-bring home a championship, their fans may start to wonder if they are indeed guided by a coach capable of performing miracles.
Craig Bellamy (Storm) is already a figure of reverence, with the only lingering question being whether he still possesses the same enlightenment at this phase of his career. Each of these coaches commands salaries around $1 million per year, and every strategic decision they make is under intense scrutiny. The role is all-consuming and significantly accelerates the aging process.