This is a long article of stuff we already know though there are a few points that i wanted to reference:
* First is Penrith are paying 250K a year towards RCG deal, now that is more than i thought it would be, really is a bargain considering how good and influencial RCG is to our forward pack.
* Next is Sivo, pretty much brushed off contract talk which is good but also bad as he is due to make a decision on his option for 2023 in the next few months. It is professional talk fair enough but still could say leaving it with my agent see what happens etc. But either way it will be fascinating to see what happens with Sivo with Dunster and Simonsson on the wings to start.
But the main point i wanted to mention was Paulo mentioning BA as a reason to staying, claiming he is a mate before a coach. Now i do not want this to be a BA bashing blog, though i am thinking to myself is that a good thing? Look at Bellamy in Melbourne or Bennett everywhere he has coached, i wonder how many players would consider them mates before coaches, not saying none of their players see Bellamy or Bennett as a mate at all but there is obviously a business relationship before anything else. BA being mates with his players is not a bad thing, and it could be Paulo seeing it that way without the intention of BA but all i know is it is a lot harder to call out a mate then it is a player you are coaching, if that makes sense. Does anyone else find this a bad thing? it has gained some results the last few years with semis and player development.
If you do not like the blog or does not interest you i do apologise, hope some will enjoy it and have a discussion on it.
Replies
From what i have seen from BA on some clips is that he won't call anyone out in public, but can be fairly direct with players in a one on one situation. Prime example a couple of years ago, where footage as aired of him tearing strips of (i think) Moses in the change rooms.
You hear lots of stories about Bellamy and his mateship with his players - does it come before being a coach or as a result of being a coach. I doubt you will ever hear from anyone whinging about bellamy's mateship with his players, not for that matter, Gus, Clint or Cleary for that matter.
Its a fine line you need to tread as a coach - you need to be their mate so they will put in for you but at the same time, there needs to be the mutual respect that when things need to be said, they can be said without offence being taken.
The footage of when we were in the dressing rooms in Gold Coast he was giving them a good spray about their hit and stick, and the Manly game he was irritated about going for goal and questioned Gutho and Moses about it, and gave them a stern talking to. Plus saying to Mahoney he is not an 80min player in his office, something Mahoney admitted in an interview years ago.
I think what Junior is meaning is that BA cares about the person as much as he does the footy player, and that's a good thing. Professional sport is a ruthless business, a player that knows his coach sees him as little more than a piece of meat isn't likely to go the extra mile. If nothing else, we've seen that BA inspires his players to leave nothing out on the field. They are gassed every time they play.
Brett, agree with your take on BA & relationships with the players.
What I believe with what JNR said and what he was likely meaning, was that the relationship between him and BA, comes down to respect for the coach along with the factors of desire and wanting to play out his career with the eels along with BA as coach.
Of course Brett and it is a good quality, sometimes though it can get the better of you if you are just their mate, BA obviously hasn't let that happen as he is still here.
I've spoken to players who have been coached by Bennett, and they've all said he's often just one of the boys. He's hustling them at poker, or winding them up about their music choices. So I wouldn't worry too much about BA being a "mate".
Don't forget Bennett also made some tough calls when required,not retaining Wally Lewis and dropping Tallis to the bench for a finals game v the cowboys.BA seems to make you hard calls on players when it's way to late and rarely drops player's
Id agree with that Mick. BA is loyal to a fault at times. That said the decision to retain Darius Bennett was shocker and Wayne fell out with Tallis long term.. Can't be mates with players and expect it won't bite you later. But you can't not be mates with players and expect they'll show up .. f@&ked either way
Lol Gaz, it's a fine balancing act that's for sure.
LB
A good blog, and not so long winded.
The premise that BA is a mate first, is much more of a help then a hinderence. For a leader that can talk, or influence his team on many different levels and maintain a personal relationship as well as remaining the boss overall is usually considered one of the best leaders by all.
Its a fine balance to tread and usually involves an us and them mentality. BA was not able to do this in the early years and he wasnt able to sack or relegate players for non performance etc. He has developed in this area and is much more balanced now. People or team members can respect their leader if they are "in the trenches " with them, involved and care about their life away from work, available to assist when the chips are down etc. BA is now getting better at that and now is starting to be able to make the hard decisions and call out players on form and demand more. If he is honest with his assessment and fair with his decisons he can be both - a mate and a Boss when the situation calls for either.
He is not the best at the negative Boss bit yet but he is not far off it. If he can master that and we can get an attacking 5/8 or fullback, we are off to a grandfinal.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next