Brad Arthur

I've blogged many times on the topic of our coach. Given the comments that I've heard from players during the year, and now Foran's comments, I'm going to summarise my observations.The common thread that I hear is the attention that Brad Arthur gives to improving the individual. This coaching of the player is highly regarded by the players themselves. I'm not going off newspaper articles on this. It's come up when I've had the opportunity to speak to players.I'm not privy to private conversations that coaches have with players, as I'm sure all coaches provide a level of individual attention. Yet I've had players say to me that they've never been actually "coached" before. By that they mean that some other coaches approach the coaching of NRL players from the perspective that the players already have all of the necessary skills and knowledge. Now I'm sure that blokes like Bennett and Bellamy, even with the quality players that they have, have a great reputation with players because they develop the individual. It was one of Jack Gibson's greatest qualities. The important factor that we know is that Brad Arthur has that reputation among the playing group and no doubt the reputation spreads within the NRL community.From my own observations at training, Brad Arthur gets among the players as they run through their opposed work. He'll be standing near the fullback, getting in behind the ruck, running up to players and praising or critiquing. You'll see the assistants there doing similar things. They'll jump in and give the player a slap on the back for taking good options or let them know the better option. I've written enough training descriptions so I won't detail this further.What I will add is that I've watched other coaches over the years and many like to coach this aspect from the sidelines or from high vantage points.I've watched Parra use a drone for this aspect and you'll see BA with an individual player looking at a laptop going over vision of their work.People have a right to call for results on the field to vindicate coaching methods and success. For mine, I'm seeing changes in the way the players compete on the field under BA. I am also hearing the chorus of admiration for him by the players. Given the recent addition to that chorus by Foran, I'm more confident than ever that our coach is the bloke that can take the club forward.

"Yep, Chiefy, true. I reckon 2025-26 is around a $5-6m cap hit because of the rebuild-clean up.
PS: I was going to add details of that but my blogs are already torturously long enough."

"And don't forget, the club still had a few million dollars worth of players on our books who had either not wanted to play, released, or in the process of retiring - Matterson, Ofehengaue, Cartwright, Lane, Hands.
"

"You outline good points on Ponga Bluey, I am a bit different because I am a natural contrarian and whilst seeing those faults, I am not so sure that he is not a victim rather than a cause i.e. he has been handled badly and his father has tended to…"

Replies

speedy2460 September 30, 2015 at 8:04am

If BA is such a good coach, and is getting the best from his players by individual coaching, it doesnt say much for the talent of the players, judging on how they are performing. 2016 will again be a case of "what if"
aveel September 30, 2015 at 8:10am

At the end of the day (and you mentioned it) results are all that matters. It doesn't matter if players love him , slaps them on the back, the 'feel' of the club or how he uses drones. Coaching is 100% a results driven business. The only think that matters are wins vs losses. For Arthur's sake I hope he finally starts seeing more wins than losses in 2016.
Nick September 30, 2015 at 8:17am

Speedy and aveel. He shits all over Kearny and Ricky. He cant hold the players hands when they are playing. He has put together a good roster. Hes a good coach who isnt relying on superstar individual brilliance.
- sixtiesboy > Nick September 30, 2015 at 8:27am
  
  Cheers Nick. Next year will be close to the team that he wants to have. Don't get me wrong. There are players already on the hit list for the future, but we will have a half that he recruited, not one he inherited.
  As for results, I've not ignored their importance. But when players respect the coach, recruitment and retention becomes easier. Better results become a reality and the positive cycle begins. How did our recruitment go with Ricky and Kearney? Wonder why?
- aveel > Nick September 30, 2015 at 8:30am
  
  Of course I'd prefer him to Kearney and Ricky. All I'm saying is that you can't label a coach 'good' when they have never had a season with more wins than losses.
  
  And to rub salt into the wounds Ricky's Raiders actually finished with more wins than us with a very average squad.
The Bear September 30, 2015 at 8:22am

I agree Nick
sixtiesboy September 30, 2015 at 8:29am

Foran wouldn't be on his own either!
aveel September 30, 2015 at 8:30am

Not sure the point of the question but Des Hasler. Pretty sure Foran would stay.
aveel September 30, 2015 at 8:36am

Actually Ricky's recruiting/retention was the best (only) thing he did. He got us Norman and Peats - 2 of our best players as well as Kenny Edwards. And he punted a heap of dead wood.
- sixtiesboy > aveel September 30, 2015 at 9:29am
  
  Was that Ricky or Peter Nolan?

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