Kidwell Talks About New Job

PARRAMATTA PULL IN NEW DEFENSIVE COACH

Former KIWIS player, and recently departed New Zealand head coach DAVID KIDWELL will join Brad Arthur’s coaching team at the Parramatta Eels.

Kidwell made 33 appearances over two seasons back in 1999 and 2000 for the Eels.

Displaying good form for the then high performing club under the leadership of co-captain’s Jarrod McCracken and Nathan Cayless, Kidwell received the Jack Gibson Award for the Coaches selection as Player of the Year in 1999.

The Eels finished 2nd on the ladder that season with Kidwell playing a utility role switching between the forwards and backs for coach Brian Smith.

Fast forward to 2018 and the Eels are struggling without a win after many predicted they would finish in the top 4 after a strong late season surge last year.

Although Kidwell has head coach experience with New Zealand, the 40 year old has previously been employed at both the Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers for his defensive coaching abilities.

After coming off a horror 12 months where not everything went to plan, both on and off the field, culminating in the early exit for the KIWIS from the 2017 World Cup, Kidwell has put that behind him as he looks to move on.

"The tough lessons are the ones you learn the most from, and I've had a lifetime's worth of tough lessons over the past year or so," Kidwell stated last month.

A new challenge now arises and another great character test awaits, one that Kidwell has not shied away from, as he looks to assist in putting Parramatta’s season back on track.

"This is how much the NRL looks after the "glamour" clubs. Shibasaki, current SOO and Australian rep, is on a miserly $140k this year. How does the NRL accept this."

"He will fight for the vacant Port Kembla Heavyweight title and make a motza in pay-per-veiw...because everyone hates him now and watching him take some head-shots would be cathartic....villans get paid."

"They have never been in a position of not getting what they want. They said when first started Ryles should just tell the board to let him go as they let him go, despite not letting him touch Storm players for 12 months, they also said the Sydney…"

Replies

CP April 20, 2018 at 8:17am

Completely forgot he played for Parra.
Offside April 20, 2018 at 8:19am

For 2 years he was my favorite he could hit hard.
Brett Allen April 20, 2018 at 8:28am

I think he’ll prove to be a solid choice
BNG243 April 20, 2018 at 8:34am

He still only 40 and has had so much experience as a coach already. I like this acquisition... so long as he remains focused on the defensive side of things only. I think our forwards lack leadership atm and kidwell will definately set the bar.

Nonetheless we do require someone with a bit more attacking knowledge in the coaching staffroom
- Longfin Eel > BNG243 April 20, 2018 at 9:17am
  
  Also someone else with top coaching experience for BA to bounce ideas off. That is pretty invaluable and will relieve a lot of the pressure on BA. Kidwell has been assistant coach for a number of years also so would have ideas on what could change.
- colin hussey > BNG243 April 20, 2018 at 10:09am
  
  I am a believer in the concept of getting your defence right goes a heck of a long way in building confidence to a teams attacking abilities. Our defence has picked up somewhat since the Manyl game and having Kidwell here is likely to put the icing on our defence, it should then allow our attack to be fixed if by no other means of them having confidence in keeping the opposition out, and weary them down, allowing them to create space.
CP April 20, 2018 at 8:35am

Honestly anything to alleviate some pressure from BA. Although our attack is rubbush, i'm old school way thinking - defence wins games. We need to fix our defensive issues before anything.
CP April 20, 2018 at 8:39am

Is a First Grade defensive coach held in higher esteem then a reserves Coach?
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst April 20, 2018 at 8:39am

Excellent choice, well I’m hoping it is.
Baby Eel April 20, 2018 at 8:41am

With good defence, the points will come up the other end. This should be a good acquisition