Five long months after he parted ways with Parramatta, Daniel Anderson has broken his silence to express his interest in a return to top-flight coaching.
While he won't talk about the past, in particular his exit from the Eels, it is his past that could make him a pivotal figure in coming weeks and months.
Anderson is arguably the most well-credentialled coach on the open market. He's guided two NRL clubs to grand finals and won everything on offer in England. He was the first coach to galvanise the rich potential at the Warriors, taking the club to a minor premiership and almost securing their maiden title. He took a Parramatta side in turmoil to the 2009 decider.
At St Helens, he won three Challenge Cups and a grand final. His record speaks for itself. And if the rumour mill is correct, clubs are taking heed. Anderson is understood to be one of the leading contenders to replace Wayne Bennett at St George Illawarra should, as expected, the master coach return to Brisbane
coaching over the summer. But this was his first summer off in 13 years. Next year will be a different story.
"It's the first summer I have had with my kids," Anderson.
"Last year they were away on holidays. It was my first January off since 1997-98. I was distracted from feeling any sort of sorrow for myself by my family."
Anderson is still involved with the game. This year, he will be part of ABC Grandstand's rugby league coverage. But he is a coach at heart. Like everyone, he is waiting to see how the dominoes fall in coming weeks and months.
Bennett is expected to be the first piece. The repercussions stretch all the way from Melbourne to Townsville, Penrith to Redfern.
"I am very fortunate I have a great opportunity this year with ABC Grandstand to watch a stack of games and make a contribution from the outside," Anderson said.
Obviously I am not going to be doing any coaching this year, but I get an opportunity to get a first-hand look at the game and remain involved."
Anderson has spoken to the Parramatta players since he departed the Eels. After a wedding in New Zealand, he caught a plane home and bumped into the Parramatta side, who had played a trial against the Warriors.
"I spoke to a lot of the players and some of the staff," Anderson said. "I spoke to (coach) Steve Kearney. I hadn't seen them for a long time. I am pretty refreshed
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