It’s a sad day when a passionate former representative player and, now former, coach is forced to stand down.
Make no mistake about it. Trent Barrett’s career aspirations of being an NRL head coach is over.
Depending on which source you believe, Trent Barrett has either fallen on his sword or was pushed.
It’s surprising, yet not surprising. The NRL is a results based sport, but being only 18 months in his tenure, there was a light at the end of the Bulldogs’ tunnel.
Next season, was when some real quality players were coming to the Doggies.
- Penrith Premiership winner Viliame Kikau
- Eels Qld State of Origin Hooker Reed Mahoney
Patience and immediate results is what let Baz down. This is where Canterbury’s board showed how soft they are trying to protect their positions. They white anted their own football club’s coach.
- The day the club brought in Phil Gould to manage the football club was the first nail in Baz’s coaching coffin
- The day Gus took over the coaching reigns and the team beat the Roosters was the 2nd
- Losing against last place Knights was the final nail
The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Kent comment states it all;
Peter Moore used to say success was in the woodwork at Canterbury. Now, sadly, the termites have taken over.
Paul Kent – Daily Telegraph
And he is correct. Too many clubs hire coaches and then undermine their vision and authority.
Canterbury’s Phil Gould has a coaching track record. Being the puppeteer when Ricky Stuart’s Roosters won in 2002, and resetting the Panthers multiple times during his 5 year (re:8 year) plan.
But other teams are as guilty.
The Dragons stripped former coach Paul “Mary” McGregor of being sole selector of his team. A coach that cannot select the players to perform that he was being measure against was always going to end in tears.
The Wests Tigers have also added a Coaching Director in Tim Sheens above Michael Maguire. This is after the board decided to review and replace Madge’s support staff. This was his coaching team.
What has saved Madge is the recruitment of Jackson Hastings.
The coaches don’t miss tackles, they don’t drop the ball. But they will always be the fall guy because it is cheaper to replace them than the players.
The under pressure coaches, that are still coaching, all have a General in their team.
- Cowboys have Chad Townsend
- Broncos Adam Reynolds
- Sharks Nicholas Hynes
- Dragons Ben Hunt
- Wests Tigers Jackson Hastings
The Bulldogs are a team where their retention and recruitment do not match their rivals. A desperate club will latch onto whatever looks good.
Yes, Josh Addo-Carr is a winner and a ball of energy. But on the wing.
Yes, Matt Burton has pedigree and is from the Panthers stable of winners.
But the likes of Tevita Pangai Jr, Paul Vaughan (sponsored by BBQ Galore?) and Matt Dufty? They were let go for a reason.
Anyone who thought this team was top eight were delusional.
And the players are to blame.
With Trent Barrett’s career at a precipice, his team did not show up.
An example, Matt Dufty taking a short cut and going for an intercept rather that tackling Adam Clune when he strolled over untouched for a try.
Dragons supporters only need to look back at Kotoni Staggs’ try last season to see why Dufty was let go.
The player’s control has always been a problem.
The West Tigers churned through their coaches.
When Newcastle Knights star Kayln Ponga was asked if he was upset when coach Nathan Brown was sacked he stated:
“I was at lunch having a nice strawberry thickshake, so I wasn’t too sad”.
Kayln Ponga
The biggest losers outside the team are the fans. The Doggies supporters are going through another rebuild.
Chopping and changing the coach will never progress your team to success.
Trent Barret was warned not to go to Stinky Manly and not go to the Bulldogs by the very own Gus Gould.
Best wishes to Baz on his next venture.
For Doggies fans, trust in Gus.
-Rob
Bullfrog would be rolling over in his grave.