Ricky Stuart rules himself out of contention for NSW Blues coach

[Raiders_Pat]

I think you're about right that Ricky is a mid tier coach.

He's got his strengths as a coach which you rightly point out. But my other bugbear is the pig headed selections which he tends to double down on too often, ala Danny Levi and his extension. There's a list of other examples I've made elsewhere.

The rub is- mid tier coach, do we shoot for better or settle for it, with this small club inferiority complex that it's ok to be just ok, we probably wouldn't do better anyway...

Anyway he's it for the next few years. He's signed some gun juniors. I'm hoping for Danny Walker to sign and that will be key.

I actually think he's above mid-tier although definitely not top tier. Funnily enough, just after I sent my post I watched some of Phil Gould's podcast from a couple of days ago where he talks about his top picks for the next NSW origin coach and he said Bellamy, Cleary or Ricky Stuart... then went on to label the three of them as "the great coaches" so there are guys in the game who see him at that level or just short of it.

On the pig-headed selections, I agree that Stuart is too loyal to the point where it's extremely frustrating but we know he gets it eventually, even if it's way later than he should. He usually gives them the full season to work it out and if they're not up to standard they're usually out the door pretty quickly which looks like what we'll be seeing with Levi shortly. If we can get the Walker deal done that should move the needle for us.

I think shooting for better right now would mean getting Bellamy or Cleary in as coach. A rookie coach would be a risk... and I'm highly doubtful any established coach would want to come here anyway, we would have to roll the dice on a rookie. So it comes down to whether people are happy to take that gamble and at this stage I would rather give Ricky a year or two to see what can do with this next iteration of the squad. If it's more of the same old 8th to 10th place finishes then I'll be keen for us to see who else is out there.

[Seiffert82]

I think you're about right that Ricky is a mid tier coach.

He's got his strengths as a coach which you rightly point out. But my other bugbear is the pig headed selections which he tends to double down on too often, ala Danny Levi and his extension. There's a list of other examples I've made elsewhere.

The rub is- mid tier coach, do we shoot for better or settle for it, with this small club inferiority complex that it's ok to be just ok, we probably wouldn't do better anyway...

Anyway he's it for the next few years. He's signed some gun juniors. I'm hoping for Danny Walker to sign and that will be key.

I actually think he's above mid-tier although definitely not top tier. Funnily enough, just after I sent my post I watched some of Phil Gould's podcast from a couple of days ago where he talks about his top picks for the next NSW origin coach and he said Bellamy, Cleary or Ricky Stuart... then went on to label the three of them as "the great coaches" so there are guys in the game who see him at that level or just short of it.

On the pig-headed selections, I agree that Stuart is too loyal to the point where it's extremely frustrating but we know he gets it eventually, even if it's way later than he should. He usually gives them the full season to work it out and if they're not up to standard they're usually out the door pretty quickly which looks like what we'll be seeing with Levi shortly. If we can get the Walker deal done that should move the needle for us.

I think shooting for better right now would mean getting Bellamy or Cleary in as coach. A rookie coach would be a risk... and I'm highly doubtful any established coach would want to come here anyway, we would have to roll the dice on a rookie. So it comes down to whether people are happy to take that gamble and at this stage I would rather give Ricky a year or two to see what can do with this next iteration of the squad. If it's more of the same old 8th to 10th place finishes then I'll be keen for us to see who else is out there.

Yeah, I agree with you Pat.

IMO there are guys like Ciraldo, Payten and Webster who seem to have the makings of a great coach. The can get their teams up to play good, tough footy that can win finals games, but are yet to prove they can do it consistently.

I put Stuart in the group with Hasler, Arthurs and maybe Robinson (although Robinson has only ever coached a club with huge cap advantages). Guys who have proven ability to get to the business end of the season. (Although I expect most people will laugh at comparing Stuart to Robinson, because Robbo has won a few premierships.)

Where Stuart has evolved in recent years is his connection with the players and his ability to get very good footy out of guys who have limitations or issues in their game. What he did with the likes of Wighton, Young, Savage and Fogarty has been impressive.

Despite the broad criticism, I also think he's doing a very good job of bringing a huge crop of young players through at one time. I honestly think the challenges this strategy presents is over simplified by most of the fans. It's a completely different strategy to signing experience in the likes of Soliola, Hodgson, Whitehead, Leilua and Sezer and building around them.

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[greeneyed]

Phil Gould calls for one of NRL’s ‘Big Three’ coaches for NSW Blues State of Origin job: Ivan Cleary, Craig Bellamy or Ricky Stuart

Canterbury football boss Phil Gould has ruled out a return to NSW as he called for Origin hierarchy to hire one of the NRL’s Big Three coaches to lead the Blues next season. Gould is the most successful NSW coach in history but the Canterbury football chief says he is finished with Origin commitments – instead pushing for Ivan Cleary, Craig Bellamy or Ricky Stuart to take charge of the Blues in 2025.

“Being brutally honest, it needs to be done by a club coach,” Gould said. “The only people truly equipped to do that (the NSW job) are the successful coaches in the NRL. The successful club coaches in Ivan Cleary, Ricky Stuart and Craig Bellamy are the people that should do it.

Read more: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... f714af2b71

[Roger Kenworthy]

Phil Gould calls for one of NRL’s ‘Big Three’ coaches for NSW Blues State of Origin job: Ivan Cleary, Craig Bellamy or Ricky Stuart

Canterbury football boss Phil Gould has ruled out a return to NSW as he called for Origin hierarchy to hire one of the NRL’s Big Three coaches to lead the Blues next season. Gould is the most successful NSW coach in history but the Canterbury football chief says he is finished with Origin commitments – instead pushing for Ivan Cleary, Craig Bellamy or Ricky Stuart to take charge of the Blues in 2025.

“Being brutally honest, it needs to be done by a club coach,” Gould said. “The only people truly equipped to do that (the NSW job) are the successful coaches in the NRL. The successful club coaches in Ivan Cleary, Ricky Stuart and Craig Bellamy are the people that should do it.

Read more: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... f714af2b71

Lol. One of these things is not like the others.

[Raiders_Pat]

Phil Gould calls for one of NRL’s ‘Big Three’ coaches for NSW Blues State of Origin job: Ivan Cleary, Craig Bellamy or Ricky Stuart

"The only people truly equipped to do that (the NSW job) are the successful coaches in the NRL. The successful club coaches in Ivan Cleary, Ricky Stuart and Craig Bellamy are the people that should do it."

Read more: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... f714af2b71

Meltdown incoming

[Hong Kong Raider]

"The only people truly equipped to do that (the NSW job) are the successful coaches in the NRL."

What's the difference between Ivan/Bellamy and Ricky Stuart ?

[Mickey_Raider]

I have always maintained that for all of Ricky's faults, he is probably better equipped for Origin success than club success.

[Botman]

I have always maintained that for all of Ricky's faults, he is probably better equipped for Origin success than club success.

Me too
Think his coaching style really lends itself to rep coaching, and i think if he did the job again, he'd have a lot of success

[Finchy]

Not sure about that. He already failed at the NSW gig last time and the Aus gig. Nothing suggests to me that his coaching has evolved

[-PJ-]

Not sure about that. He already failed at the NSW gig last time and the Aus gig. Nothing suggests to me that his coaching has evolved

To be fair everybody’s failed at the NSW gig.

[Botman]

As Australian coach he was 12-2. Two loses to the british lions and the 2008 WC Final to NZ. Which was an incredible performance from NZ

Australia should win most of the time, but NZ (espcially pre Somoa/Tonga taking some of their talent as has happened recently) and the Lions are good enough that they're capable of springing an occasional upset.
That's the nature of rep footy, those other guys get paid to play footy too, it's not the Camden Valley Rams open mens teams they're playing. He lost his job because he's a child who couldnt handle the loss in an appropriate fashion, not because they lost.

He was 4-5 as Blues coach across three series
Won the first series he coached in 2005 2-1 and otherwise went 2-4 against the greatest origin side that has been at probably close to the peak of their powers. Each series of his three series went to a decider, each decider was played at Suncorp. Losing to Slater-Lockyer-JT-Smith at Suncorp isnt on him imo

I think his record in rep arenas supports he's a good coach there.

[Seiffert82]

Bellamy should do it.

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[Roger Kenworthy]

Not sure about that. He already failed at the NSW gig last time and the Aus gig. Nothing suggests to me that his coaching has evolved

I agree. Stick being beaten in the 2008 WC Final by a pretty average Kiwis team will always define his rep coaching career.

Like you said, he hasn't evolved at all. So while he may have some success if he cosches rep football again it's going to be more down to the personnel than any reflection of his coaching IMO.

[dubby]

Bellamy should do it.

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I don't think any club coach should do it. I take Gould's opinions with a grain of salt. He's a proven liar with his own agenda.

As for who should coach the blues? I'm not sure. Slim pickings out there.

[Botman]

Bellamy should do it.

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The war has long been over.
But the fight continues for some

[afgtnk]

Bellamy should do it.

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The war has long been over.
But the fight continues for some

[afgtnk]

Phil Gould calls for one of NRL’s ‘Big Three’ coaches for NSW Blues State of Origin job: Ivan Cleary, Craig Bellamy or Ricky Stuart

Canterbury football boss Phil Gould has ruled out a return to NSW as he called for Origin hierarchy to hire one of the NRL’s Big Three coaches to lead the Blues next season. Gould is the most successful NSW coach in history but the Canterbury football chief says he is finished with Origin commitments – instead pushing for Ivan Cleary, Craig Bellamy or Ricky Stuart to take charge of the Blues in 2025.

“Being brutally honest, it needs to be done by a club coach,” Gould said. “The only people truly equipped to do that (the NSW job) are the successful coaches in the NRL. The successful club coaches in Ivan Cleary, Ricky Stuart and Craig Bellamy are the people that should do it.

Read more: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... f714af2b71

[Seiffert82]

Bellamy should do it.

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The war has long been over.
But the fight continues for some

What? Bellamy should do it, why not?

Is there a single reason Ricky Stuart should do it and Craig Bellamy not?

[Botman]

Bellamy should do it.

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The war has long been over.
But the fight continues for some

What? Bellamy should do it, why not?

Is there a single reason Ricky Stuart should do it and Craig Bellamy not?

Who is the Yoshimi Taniguchi of this story?
We might have to get David Gallop or Ian Schubert out here to tell you the war was lost and the war is over.

[Seiffert82]

Bellamy should do it.

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The war has long been over.
But the fight continues for some

What? Bellamy should do it, why not?

Is there a single reason Ricky Stuart should do it and Craig Bellamy not?

Who is the Yoshimi Taniguchi of this story?
We might have to get David Gallop or Ian Schubert out here to tell you the war was lost and the war is over.

Righto, so what's the answer?

Bellamy should be given a crack.

I'm not sure if the delightful Japanese man you've mentioned is in contention. I suspect even the NSWRL draw the line at deranged, deceased war criminals. I guess the question is, would he even be able to speak to his players, or would they speak to him?

[Botman]

Bellamy's already had a crack, buddy!
He coached them for 3 series between 08-10.
And he has already ruled himself out saying he doesnt believe the job can be done by someone already looking after an NRL team.

Maybe the general we get out to tell you that you lost the war can also help you out with Google.

[Seiffert82]

Bellamy's already had a crack, buddy!
He coached them for 3 series between 08-10.
And he has already ruled himself out saying he doesnt believe the job can be done by someone already looking after an NRL team.

Maybe the general we get out to tell you that you lost the war can also help you out with Google.

So has the bloke you suggested to be coach. What's your point?

I thought this was simply a thread for putting names out there for coaches who have already ruled themselves out.

If so,Give Bellamy a shot. He deserves a second crack.

[Botman]

Shambles. Can you bloody well lift?
It's god damn November. We have many months of an off season to go, going to need more out of you than this, champ.

FWIW you might want to re-read the posts, i never suggested Stuart as a coach, just said i think if he did it, he'd be good for the role. The closest i came to a suggestion was musing whether Matt King was (maybe) worth a shot

I find all the leading candidates uninspiring
And Daley is almost certainly getting the job and I don’t love that either. But he’s not going against the greatest origin spine of all time anymore so I guess we’ll see

None of which will impact Bellamy’s legacy of being a great coach and you being hopeless wrong

[The Nickman]

God I hope it's Laurie Daley.

[Seiffert82]

Shambles. Can you bloody well lift?
It's god damn November. We have many months of an off season to go, going to need more out of you than this, champ.

FWIW you might want to re-read the posts, i never suggested Stuart as a coach, just said i think if he did it, he'd be good for the role. The closest i came to a suggestion was musing whether Matt King was (maybe) worth a shot

I find all the leading candidates uninspiring
And Daley is almost certainly getting the job and I don’t love that either. But he’s not going against the greatest origin spine of all time anymore so I guess we’ll see

None of which will impact Bellamy’s legacy of being a great coach and you being hopeless wrong

C'mon now, you can do better than that. Referring to my comments from years ago about Bellamy cheating his way to victories and being overrated, every time his name comes up. It's like an obsession for you, and that other bloke. I'm disappointed he will seemingly never coach another NRL club to test his methods elsewhere.

Anyways, his name was raised by Phil Gould, and I agree. He should throw his hat in the ring. Perhaps when he retires from Melbourne. Clearly a hilarious thought.

[Botman]

Oh its hilarious and there is certainly an obsession at play here but it isn't mine, buddy

[Botman]

God I hope it's Laurie Daley.

I really think it's going to be. Gonna be real interesting to see how that plays out. His refusal to let the Mitchell Pearce thing go when it was clear he wasn't up to that level really hurt him, as well as hanging on to guys like Gallen/Josh Jackson/Aaron Woods etc
Matt Moylan in the halves...yuck... some real hideous selections amongst his tenure

He'll have Cleary/Moses/Laui now to lean on, so the halves issue that plague him won't be such a major thing. A lot of NSW team should pick itself, so maybe he might avoid those selection mishaps but i can certainly see why you'd want him back

[The Nickman]

God I hope it's Laurie Daley.

I really think it's going to be. Gonna be real interesting to see how that plays out. His refusal to let the Mitchell Pearce thing go when it was clear he wasn't up to that level really hurt him, as well as hanging on to guys like Gallen/Josh Jackson/Aaron Woods etc
Matt Moylan in the halves...yuck... some real hideous selections amongst his tenure

He'll have Cleary/Moses/Laui now to lean on, so the halves issue that plague him won't be such a major thing. A lot of NSW team should pick itself, so maybe he might avoid those selection mishaps but i can certainly see why you'd want him back

Old Loz was always a prime candidate for a head-scratcher selection or two in his tenure as both coach and selector. I can honestly see him doing something like picking Mitch Moses over Nathan Cleary because he did the job last time haha.

[Seiffert82]

Oh its hilarious and there is certainly an obsession at play here but it isn't mine, buddy

Interesting observation from someone desperate to bring it up every time I've mentioned Craig Bellamy over the last 10 years!

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[RedRaider]

Ivan Cleary has won the last 4 NRL titles. Why wouldn't every effort be made to have Cleary in the job? He would re-unite with a number of other players who were successful under his coaching Crichton, Api, Luai et al.

[Botman]

Ivan Cleary has won the last 4 NRL titles. Why wouldn't every effort be made to have Cleary in the job? He would re-unite with a number of other players who were successful under his coaching Crichton, Api, Luai et al.

Why would he take the job and take himself away from a job that is trying to win a 5th straight premiership with so many key loses?
The same reason Stuart and Bellamy have ruled themselves out. They've got jobs to do for their club and stepping out of that for 6-8 weeks isnt acceptable given their pay packets. I think that's fair enough and it's right to say the job is too big to time share between club and state, even if i think all three of those guys could be good at the role if they were able to disconnect

[RedRaider]

Ivan Cleary has won the last 4 NRL titles. Why wouldn't every effort be made to have Cleary in the job? He would re-unite with a number of other players who were successful under his coaching Crichton, Api, Luai et al.

Why would he take the job and take himself away from a job that is trying to win a 5th straight premiership with so many key loses?
The same reason Stuart and Bellamy have ruled themselves out. They've got jobs to do for their club and stepping out of that for 6-8 weeks isnt acceptable given their pay packets. I think that's fair enough and it's right to say the job is too big to time share between club and state, even if i think all three of those guys could be good at the role if they were able to disconnect

NSW should go after the best eligible coach. I think that’s Ivan Cleary. His Four-peat means he is already in the History books at Club level. What he doesn’t have in his resume’ is Rep level success. I’d like to see him go after it, but of course the decision is his. He would be the last bloke most Qlders would want in the job, which is exactly why effort should be made to get him into the NSW SOO Coaching role.