A tale of two coaches

Look at Wayne Bennett

Basically running a full first grade side without any injuries, including 5 Origin players (3 of which play for Australia) and 3 NZ Rep players. This same coach has pretty much a whole state behind them, no media pressure and leading the NRL with third party TPA's. In my opinion it's clear he's forgotten how to coach a team.
/

Now take a look at Brad Arthur (Honestly.... do i even need to write this one out? But I will :)

Between losing players left right and centre due to the cap cheating, the Foran saga, the Norman saga, the Radradra saga, losing all our halves for the season, fielding back rowers in our centres, back rowers in our halves, wingers at 5/8, constantly being bullied by the Sydney media.... yet he some how manages to get the Eels to play with more heart, determination and grit than a team like the Broncos, actually make that any other team in the NRL this year.

In my opinion, BA needs to be signed well before we look at any other players contracts including Hayne or Norman. It's been a long time since we have truly had a greta coach and I think as long as he's at the helm, we're looking at something special.

Always had question marks over Wayne tbh. If he doesn't have a team of rep players what happens? Newcastle Knights is what. He had nothing there with an average roster, they didn't improve and he wrecked the roster. The Dragons are arguably still feeling the after effects due of his tenure there. He wins a comp but its a wasteland afterwards due to the salary cap and ageing players. The thing with Wayne is he gets the BEST out of the players when he is there, but is it skill improvement or partly mental? Soward had a few good years, before and after Bennett he went back to being average. Same for Ben Creagh. He seems to be able to motivate his players extremely well and get them up for big games, but I don't see huge improvement in players under him. They become smarter in their options but skills wise BA has improved so many players. Manu, Kenny, Peni have all added some nice ball skills into their game. We know from the training reports that say BA emphasises individual skills. Maybe there is more room for improvement among our players than the Broncos but the Knights era is a telling part of Bennett's tenure. This year will be as well as to whether he can turn around a sinking ship quickly.

"I got excited thinking maybe a Winger, but seems he is a middle forward. We have plenty of them coming through with Talagi, Koina and Popo.
Hopefully he can be an edge where we have Funa-Iuta and Petrus as the only really great prospects in junior…"

Replies

Michael Ryan July 22, 2016 at 10:11pm

In Bennett's case having 8 internationals in the team is playing with a depleted roster. Expect Broncos to make a play for Inglis and Radradra for next season
- Adam Magrath > Michael Ryan July 23, 2016 at 5:22am
  
  I don't think they are interested in Inglis at all. The main reasons for the Broncos being off is origin (happens every year) and they have been struck down with way more injuries this year when compared to last. McCullough, kahu and reed of the top of my head have been out for extended periods.
This reply was deleted.
- Rise of an empire July 22, 2016 at 10:20pm
  
  I thought from memory the Broncos were fine during origin last year. But I have kept making excuses for them every week saying they will come good, but they are just not doing it. I think their best case scenario is they limp into the finals & bomb out early, which after last year's effort would be a terrible result.
- Rise of an empire July 22, 2016 at 10:35pm
  
  But what about the theory that you can't win if your outside the top 4
The French Fullback #1 July 22, 2016 at 11:07pm

Always had question marks over Wayne tbh. If he doesn't have a team of rep players what happens? Newcastle Knights is what. He had nothing there with an average roster, they didn't improve and he wrecked the roster. The Dragons are arguably still feeling the after effects due of his tenure there. He wins a comp but its a wasteland afterwards due to the salary cap and ageing players. The thing with Wayne is he gets the BEST out of the players when he is there, but is it skill improvement or partly mental? Soward had a few good years, before and after Bennett he went back to being average. Same for Ben Creagh. He seems to be able to motivate his players extremely well and get them up for big games, but I don't see huge improvement in players under him. They become smarter in their options but skills wise BA has improved so many players. Manu, Kenny, Peni have all added some nice ball skills into their game. We know from the training reports that say BA emphasises individual skills. Maybe there is more room for improvement among our players than the Broncos but the Knights era is a telling part of Bennett's tenure. This year will be as well as to whether he can turn around a sinking ship quickly.
- Cranky Brad is here!!! > The French Fullback #1 July 23, 2016 at 12:01am
  
  It's totally crap Newcastle no one was getting paid and he wasn't. The dragons aren't suffering from him they just didn't learn anything from him and sacked the only bloke that did.
- Crocker Smhitt > The French Fullback #1 July 23, 2016 at 12:07am
  
  Brad Arthur has exceeded all expectation this year. The shit he has dealt with but somehow keep the team playing as well as they have has been outstanding. Certainly a coach on the up.
  
  As for Bennett, I'm not so sure his tenure at the Knights was a complete failure. In his 2nd year they were 1 win away from the GF. Beaten by the eventual premiers the Roosters. It was only when Tinkler couldn't pay the players that things turned sour. His record stands for itself. I doubt Saints win the comp without him in 2010. I wouldn't write Bennet or the Broncos off just yet. The season has a long way to go.
This reply was deleted.
- chips dangerously July 23, 2016 at 12:42am
  
  Mate what r u on about? if we weren't docked the 12 points we finish top 4 this year. So you can include that to start BA's finals resume.
Pauly Pauly July 23, 2016 at 2:11am

Tjats graet
Ken Stewart July 23, 2016 at 5:34am

Bennett simply has too many runs on the board to write him off, but everything considered BA Cand to a lesser extent Neil Henry are far out performing him this season.

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