The enigma that is Brian Smith.

[Guest]

Apologies if this was posted elsewhere, its a 14 min video interview in the Oz newspaper with Smithy. A few insights, a bit light, makes mention of SBW at about the 8th minute

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spor...-1226295454067

Btw, done prior to the Penrith game.

[Guest]

I was surprised that we let Linnet go and kept Carney as I assume they would have been on similar dollars.

Obviously we are putting a lot of eggs in the Moga basket and there must be high hopes for some of the other youngsters, Alofa, Henry, Rona, Wells et al.

I think also Linnett was off contract and Carney wasn't.

As you point out, the club has a bunch of backs in the system that they feel will progress through. Our club has been clearly stating a youth policy for the last few years which means you may sacrifice short term wins for longer term success. I think you'll find that Nth Qld felt that Linnett was worth more based on where their team is on the curve.

For the record, while I don't enjoy us not winning, I am heartened by the club having a clearly stated strategy for building that (so far) they have stayed consistent with - in coaching personnel, recruitment strategy and the willingness to expel talented f*kwits in order to stabilise the club. It may not work out but it wont be for lack of commitment to the strategy.

[bondi paul]

I think also Linnett was off contract and Carney wasn't.

As you point out, the club has a bunch of backs in the system that they feel will progress through. Our club has been clearly stating a youth policy for the last few years which means you may sacrifice short term wins for longer term success. I think you'll find that Nth Qld felt that Linnett was worth more based on where their team is on the curve.
For the record, while I don't enjoy us not winning, I am heartened by the club having a clearly stated strategy for building that (so far) they have stayed consistent with - in coaching personnel, recruitment strategy and the willingness to expel talented f*kwits in order to stabilise the club. It may not work out but it wont be for lack of commitment to the strategy.

have you ever considered the reason for our current youth policy is a smoke screen for not being able to secure top notch players or coaches?there has been lots of criticism of pearce here and it makes me wonder if he had a different coach and anasta not at 6 then his potential would have shone by now.

[redwhiteblue]

have you ever considered the reason for our current youth policy is a smoke screen for not being able to secure top notch players or coaches?there has been lots of criticism of pearce here and it makes me wonder if he had a different coach and anasta not at 6 then his potential would have shone by now.

With all due respect to Mitchell, he's had a plethora of coaches since his first grade debut, plus a legend for a father and his idol Andrew Johns giving him specialist coaching over the years.

[bondi paul]

With all due respect to Mitchell, he's had a plethora of coaches since his first grade debut, plus a legend for a father and his idol Andrew Johns giving him specialist coaching over the years.

ok well said. anderson fittler smith - the plethora of official coaches ? it was interesting to see how soward developed into a match winner with bennett after we groomed him at the roosters.

[stsae]

I used to call Graham Muppet, my bad. He took us to our first grand final in 25 years. Then the senior players screwed him.

I will always been convinced that the grand final win was due to Freddy's headbutt from Richard Vilisanti and Freddy's 40/20, not Stuart's coaching.

20 yrs JohnBoy, 1980 was our last b4 2000. Although our last win was 1975.

I agree about Freddos headbutt fiasco, fired Mozz and The Yak up and Freddo played like he was stoned and actually took the game by the balls.

I didn't see it was the senior players who were screwing LittleArtie (my old man always told me that was his nickname cos he followed Artie in the reggies at Watsamatta and made a living off the great mans skills). IMO Murray was a good coach but struggled to take his sides to the next level, much like many argue our current coach is like. I've always been under the impression he was too nice a guy to coach at the top level.

Whatever the reason I'm positive Gus was responsible for Murrays hiring and firing. He was/is Politis best mate and has always had a big influence at the club since 95 or so.

IMO Murray was the right man in the right place (remember he was supposed to coach Norffs till they were booted by NewsRL). I also believe he was lucky cos much of the work Gus had done helped him. I was always under the impression he suffered cos blokes like Solimona and Widders left and they were blokes we'd developed and were just peaking. Of course I don't knowif that was the reason 100%, but that's what I was always led to believe at the time.

[redwhiteblue]

ok well said. anderson fittler smith - the plethora of official coaches ? it was interesting to see how soward developed into a match winner with bennett after we groomed him at the roosters.

Why compare apples with oranges? What does Jamie Soward have to do with this? I never understand comparisons. Parra are still looking for the next Peter Sterling and will never find him because he was unique. Newcastle & the Blues pressurised Jarrod Mullen to be the next Andrew Johns and look how that turned out.

[stsae]

have you ever considered the reason for our current youth policy is a smoke screen for not being able to secure top notch players or coaches?there has been lots of criticism of pearce here and it makes me wonder if he had a different coach and anasta not at 6 then his potential would have shone by now.

So you want us to keep chasing high profile players like we have for years and failed at doing might I add. In fact our best period 95-04 we built from some very good kids and some very good structure in the club. Ironically Gus was heavily involved in that period.

Same with coaches, should we just keep changing coaches at the whim of some nutty fans??? Cos I can't think of a club with 4 coaches in 5yrs who have had any major success. In fact Smiffs 2010 miracle is just that a miracle after the upheaval we'd been thru, pRicky 06, dOpes 07, Freddo 07-09 and Smiff 10- now.

What you say about Pearceofshite is interesting IMO. He's beenat the club under 4 different coaches, pRicky was the one who bought him here. He was debuted way too early IMO. He was gifted Origin way to early IMO. And he's had average 1s, 6s, and 9s around him, other than a season with Carntey.

I believe if we swapped our 1/2 with say Cronk from day dot and we'd be having this same discussion about Cronk or whoever now. And Pearceofshite could very well have a few shiney rings and a few more winning rep appearances under his belt.

I still maintain who is this magical AVAILABLE coach we can poach???

[Guest]

The more you think about it, the more it becomes apparent that Smith's idea of not having a consistent team style/gameplan, and playing each weak to the oppositions weaknesses, is quite possibly the stupidest idea in the history of coaching, long-term up there with Braith at fullback and Ando's one marker madness.

The realm of footballing cliches which contradict this theory is endless... "We control the game, not them," "Play to your strengths," etc. etc.

To go into each game with the only strategy of "playing to the opposition's weaknesses" rather than to our own strengths is absurd.

[stsae]

The more you think about it, the more it becomes apparent that Smith's idea of not having a consistent team style/gameplan, and playing each weak to the oppositions weaknesses, is quite possibly the stupidest idea in the history of coaching, long-term up there with Braith at fullback and Ando's one marker madness.

The realm of footballing cliches which contradict this theory is endless... "We control the game, not them," "Play to your strengths," etc. etc.

To go into each game with the only strategy of "playing to the opposition's weaknesses" rather than to our own strengths is absurd.

Sure that's a valid opinion mate.

But the fact remains Smiff has had a lot of success with various clubs and usually without great cattle. Sure the holy grail Hasn't come his way, maybe it never will, but the blokes done alright with his lack of game plans or ever changing game plans, depending whose opinion is at the fore at any given time.

I was always under the impression Smiff was criticised for his structured regimented game plans in the past, Toolis, JoEy etc???

Whether it be simple, complicated or non-existent the fact remains until he wins a comp, which may never happen, the bloke will divide opinion. I just hope every dog has it's day, or days, like John Elway did in the NFL, and it's with us that this occurs.

[stsae]

Just to add BF, I'm sure I recall after LOL@Souffs losing to Melba last week a Melba player after the game said something along the lines " we prepared for Souffs to play the way they did and knew what they would do so we stuck to the game plan and prevailed in the end".

I can't tell you who said it but it's not the 1st time I've heard such comments and I know it won't be the last.

IMO all clubs and coaches prepare differently for different oppositions. Then it's up to the players to implement the plan. IMO last week there is a lot of probability our players didn't do the deed correctly when it came to the game plan.

I actually recall one of Freddos first games in charge and we played Melba and it was obvious, Blind Freddy could've seen it in fact, we kicked to the sidelines and slowed the game down taking Slater out of the equation and frustrating them. I remember after the game the players were saying the game plan worked to a MsTee.

Now Freddo wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but changing game plans to counter teams strengths or target their weaknesses should be a given, for all clubs and coaches, IMO. I guess it's up to the players to implement the changes and adjust when/if it's not working or the oppositions playing differently.

[Guest]

I still ask who is this magical AVAILABLE coach we can poach???

Daniel Anderson is available. He never had less than a 50% winning streak and he coached Daniel Mortimer during his golden period.

[redwhiteblue]

Just to add BF, I'm sure I recall after LOL@Souffs losing to Melba last week a Melba player after the game said something along the lines " we prepared for Souffs to play the way they did and knew what they would do so we stuck to the game plan and prevailed in the end".

I can't tell you who said it but it's not the 1st time I've heard such comments and I know it won't be the last.

IMO all clubs and coaches prepare differently for different oppositions. Then it's up to the players to implement the plan. IMO last week there is a lot of probability our players didn't do the deed correctly when it came to the game plan.

I actually recall one of Freddos first games in charge and we played Melba and it was obvious, Blind Freddy could've seen it in fact, we kicked to the sidelines and slowed the game down taking Slater out of the equation and frustrating them. I remember after the game the players were saying the game plan worked to a MsTee.

Now Freddo wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but changing game plans to counter teams strengths or target their weaknesses should be a given, for all clubs and coaches, IMO. I guess it's up to the players to implement the changes and adjust when/if it's not working or the oppositions playing differently.

We lead 20-4 at half time in that game. It was July 2007 and one of the Rorts was injured in the warm up and that threw them into disarray. I still remember the body language of Braith and Freddy in the dressing room as I have the game on video somewhere still. They were so positive and upbeat that night, oozing self belief after a miserable first half of the season.

[stsae]

Daniel Anderson is available. He never had less than a 50% winning streak and he coached Daniel Mortimer during his golden period.

One of my favorite coaches John. Would you believe he did part of his apprenticeship under Smiff??? From memory that's the facts.

Also an Easts fan as a kid, something he stated b4 the 02 GF.

Seriously though he'd get CRUCIFIED by this lot. I doubt it would take even 1 loss, lol.

I'd take him though. I thought we got him in 07, but alas it was the wrong Anderson.

And RWB, a great game and period for us and Freddo the muffin break, LOL.

[bondi paul]

Why compare apples with oranges? What does Jamie Soward have to do with this? I never understand comparisons. Parra are still looking for the next Peter Sterling and will never find him because he was unique. Newcastle & the Blues pressurised Jarrod Mullen to be the next Andrew Johns and look how that turned out.

i refer to soward on the basis that he shone with bennett who bought the best out of him. seems like smith cant do that with pearce.