“It’s a tough job and there are going to be plenty of tough times ahead.” Those were the words of Ricky Stuart when he took over the coaches box at Parramatta at the end of last season.
Fast forward 12 months and he’s thrown in the towel. The hottest seat in the NRL is once again vacant. Since Brian Smith left, the club has been through six coaches with none of them completing their contracts for various reasons.
I’m disappointed in Stuart to say the least. He talked a big game and I guess I’m a sucker for believing it. It was always going to be an uphill battle at Parramatta but that was expected with a weaker roster than the one fielded in 2012.
Stuart bid farewell to 12 players mid-season and signed a host of others. Now he’s left the club in a hole. If those players Stuart has signed decide they’re not coming to Parramatta then the club is back to square one.
For Parramatta fans it’s a feeling of frustration and betrayal. Stuart said, as recently as Monday, that he had a job to do at Parramatta. Fans have every right to feel aggrieved at what has happened.
From what I’ve read on social media and a number of supporters’ sites, Stuart will be in for an interesting return to Parramatta. With one supporter saying “The Blues going through the Caxton will look like a cake-walk when Sticky returns.”
“This (Stuart’s return) has all the hallmarks of a career long Parra welcome wagon in true Jamie Lyon style,” said another fan. Parramatta’s fans have every right to feel let down, disappointed and plenty of other emotions which would be expletive filled.
So where to now for Parramatta? Well a couple of coaches have been tabled by the media. Neil Henry was recently fired by North Queensland but have since made the finals. Jason Taylor appears to be firming as a favourite among the Parramatta faithful.
Taylor played his final NRL season with the blue and golds, leading them to a Grand Final. He also took over as care-taker coach in 2006, delivering them to a finals appearance. The other name being thrown up is former Eels mentor Brian Smith.
Smith is regarded as one of the finest coaches in the game with a penchant for discipline; something lacking heavily in the Parramatta outfit. Smith coached the club for 10 years and enjoyed relative success, winning two minor premierships and delivering a grand final apperance.
In an ideal world I’d have Brian Smith as a coaching director with Jason Taylor as the coach. Taylor is reportedly a very good man-manager and has a good relationship with captain, Jarryd Hayne. Smith, as I wrote above, is probably the best re-builder in the business.
Replies
Who wrote this Super? I like it.
Me, posted on my newly operating blog: http://betweenthesticksblog.wordpress.com/2013/09/11/stuart-quits-w...
Well done.
Yep, good blog. But Smithy didn't win us a grand final. I think you need to re-word that part.
Thanks mate and I've given it a quick update, cheers.
It says grand final appearance IH8, but you are forgiven because we have all been racing around the keyboard tonight.
Apologies, IH8, Super must have fixed it in Super-time.
It says appearance now, but it didn't before Bern.
PS Why do I always have an urge to spend the weekend at your place? :)
Only if you promise to prop me up if I fall down.
Meanwhile over on a Raiders forum....... They are already putting Hopoate and Peats into their teamlists!!!! LOL
http://thegreenhouseact.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26780&...
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