Staff Brian Smith

[Hardyman's Yugo]

Imagine texting players all the time, it gives you an insight into how difficult it must be to manage what must be largely a load of immature individuals with too much cash and too much time on their hands.

I remember Ryan Giggs once saying he attended a party at another young players (Lee Sharpe) house where the alcohol was about to start flowing. Alex Ferguson had got wind of this and turned up at the house, telling Giggs in pretty robust terms he had to decide if he wanted a future as a professional footballer or not. Giggs made the right choice, Sharpe continued to be a dickhead and faded away

 

[brightman]

I know Smithy personally and I think this appointment is the best thing the club have done since taking a punt on a untried Daniel Anderson all those years back. But for completely opposite reasons. As a few on here have already noted, Smithy is one of only a few Aussie coaches with the longstanding credentials to credibly do a job like this. He's innovative, he's prickly, he's passionate about rugby league and he's a player's coach, which may prove a valuable contrast to the more aloof approach of Kearney. What's more, he's been wanting to get involved at the Warriors for some time. He genuinely believes he can fix many of the crippling issues at the club.

Yes, he can get offside with players, officials, and fans. His history at the Saints, Eels and Knights would allude to that. But generally clubs get a solid 3 years or so out of him before his brusque demeanor wears thin. If that be the case at the Warriors, then hopefully that's enough time to turn this mess around.

There are other positives around his appointment, too.

** He will help attract Aussies across the ditch; something much needed at this club, which is looking worryingly bare on that front for 2018.
** He thinks outside of the square and has generally imbued his clubs with an attacking mindset. Just look at that Parra team of 2001, or some of the lethal Saints teams of the early 90s. Hopefully that approach will filter down the chain.
** He won't put up with ANY bullshit ... from anyone. Speak to him for more than 5 minutes, you'll quickly learn that for yourself. The players will get reprimanded if they don't put in, and those that continue to slack will get punted. It's that simple.
** He understands what's required to build a successful club and he will do whatever it takes to get it there.
** He also developed coaches in his time at various clubs too, one in particular we are familar with and whose style is very reminiscent of Smith's would be Daniel Anderson.

All that said, it will be interesting to see how the dynamic between him and Kearney plays out. They seem polar opposites in terms of personalities and Smithy is very opinionated. How will they mesh for the betterment of the club?

And will Smithy adopt some of his more problematic practices from previous clubs, which allegedly caused friction with some of his star players? (incessant texting was one of them, apparently)

Time will tell. But for now, between him and Corvo, I'm already feeling more bullish about 2018 than I was only a week or so back.

 

[bruce]

Imagine texting players all the time, it gives you an insight into how difficult it must be to manage what must be largely a load of immature individuals with too much cash and too much time on their hands.

The story Danny Buderus told about Smith's texting was bizarre. He can be a little eccentric I think. That is why I would prefer him to stay a step away from the players here.

 

[leaguejunkie]

Apparently Smithy was spotted at the Parramatta v Manly game yesterday. Any reason why he would be at that game? I only ask as there's been talk that CEO of Parramatta Bernie Gurr is looking for a General Manager of Football for Parramatta and given Smithy's strong connections to the cub, Bernie might be targeting Smithy to fulfil that role.

I hope this isn't the case and Smithy was over there scoping out talent. Can't help but wonder though.

 

[Pozza]

Apparently Smithy was spotted at the Parramatta v Manly game yesterday. Any reason why he would be at that game? I only ask as there's been talk that CEO of Parramatta Bernie Gurr is looking for a General Manager of Football for Parramatta and given Smithy's strong connections to the cub, Bernie might be targeting Smithy to fulfil that role.

I hope this isn't the case and Smithy was over there scoping out talent. Can't help but wonder though.

Could be looking to improve our depth. With the debacle going over at Manly at the moment, internal issues, salary cap dramas, there may be some bargain basement players about to come on
the market. I was at the game yesterday and I thought I saw him.

 

[#robbiemears]

Could be looking to improve our depth. With the debacle going over at Manly at the moment, internal issues, salary cap dramas, there may be some bargain basement players about to come on
the market. I was at the game yesterday and I thought I saw him.

Smithy won't be leaving the club in the near future. Plenty of work ahead for him and from what I hear, he's loving the challenge of moving this club in the right direction.

 

[snake77]

Smithy won't be leaving the club in the near future. Plenty of work ahead for him and from what I hear, he's loving the challenge of moving this club in the right direction.

I'm guessing he is key in driving the plans you mentioned in the recruitment who we should recruit thread on consistency. Turning a good game into a string of good games, following up a good season with another one etc.

He has a lot of experience in the NRL and seen a lot of clubs. That experience isn't something we can bring in from within NZ, due to a lack of clubs and no New Zealander having that amount of experience.

Good to hear that it looks like we might have someone keen to stick around to see the work through. Often you here these things and the person moves on or is moved on.

 

[Centurion]

He's getting around the local Auckland scene too.

Was spotted at the Richmond/Marist game last week checking out some up and coming U20s.

 

[Tim burgess]

Glass half full time.

I don't know Robinson, nor his father. However I was talking to another dinosaur who knew the late Robinson senior very well. Apparently he was a very nice man, a typical understated Northern English league tragic, who just lived for the game. He was also very good at textiles, as was common from the north. He got into the NZ market at a growth time and the family later joined in. It is apparently a very successful and well run company without the publicity it might deserve, or more to the point does not seek. I understand it doesn't need publicity, it just goes about growing internationally and making very good money.

So it is a large family concern, not a one man band, and they have both the readies and the genuine love for the game. From all accounts the firm has managed good times and bad with common sense and hard work.

So in relation to the Warriors this means for the first time in our history we have an owner with all the following:

Enough money, enough love of the game, enough business sense....and no ego (it is a family concern, egos are at the door).

When has this club had all of that? I ask you ladies and jellybeans?

Considering that leopards do not change their spots we can assume that the Autex business model will apply to our beloved club.

...and on the SK/Smith Corvo thing.

I don't know the guts on that but it is obvious that SK has spent a of of the clubs money on dud players, and also on Corvo. He himself is a big financial liability let alone a player like Blair who is earning three times more than one of the best forwards in the GF this weekend.

Results haven't followed so no businessman with half a brain would continue on that path. It doesn't even need to be considered so it is obvious that Robinson will not be either. Just my opinion like.

Next question, who will Robinson use as a sounding board, and when will he do it? My guess Smith and that process started months ago.

Do you think Smith has worked out SK is not up to the task or is he a supporter of his processes.

Smith is a shrewd operator.

 

[bruce]

Do you think Smith has worked out SK is not up to the task or is he a supporter of his processes.

Smith is a shrewd operator.

Just my opinion but I don't think anybody who worked with SK would rate him as a FG coach.

Smith was employed after SK (I think...trainspotters). He is a guy who would take his role very seriously, and that is getting this football department performing. I apologise for digressing but would that mean being happy about a guy who:

Didn't know that Solomone Kata couldn't pass to his winger? True ladies and jellybeans, not joking.
Thought that Adam Blair is worth $800,000 for four years
Lets one of your best backs go to Canberra?

IMO if Smith thinks that SK is up to the task, I would worry about Brian Smith, and I am not.

 

[bruce]

Do you think Smith has worked out SK is not up to the task or is he a supporter of his processes.

Smith is a shrewd operator.

Just an afterthought...do you recall that game in Oz earlier this year when Smith was spotted sitting alone in the grandstand, nowhere near the coaches box...taking notes.

Ok, I know, he was bored shit less and was doing the crossword...yeah right...and who were the notes for? Just saying like.

 

[Tim burgess]

Just an afterthought...do you recall that game in Oz earlier this year when Smith was spotted sitting alone in the grandstand, nowhere near the coaches box...taking notes.

Ok, I know, he was bored shit less and was doing the crossword...yeah right...and who were the notes for? Just saying like.

I do remember it now you mention.

 

[bruce]

I do remember it now you mention.

Was it Brisbane? Obviously somebody in TV spotted him, he was just in the crowd.

 

[Noitall]

Brian Smith getting raps on nrl 360 as a great footy brain and Robinson serving his apprenticeship under him. Wonder if he has aspirations to coach again. He surely must be having some input now.

 

[mt.wellington]

Just an afterthought...do you recall that game in Oz earlier this year when Smith was spotted sitting alone in the grandstand, nowhere near the coaches box...taking notes.

Ok, I know, he was bored shit less and was doing the crossword...yeah right...and who were the notes for? Just saying like.

Unless you are calling Brian Smiths character into question then the obvious answer is the Warriors.

I have seen him quite a few times at Warriors home games sitting in the upper west stand by himself taking notes...

 

[snake77]

As an old coach who was obsessed with detail it's probably force of habit to take notes. He probably does it when he sits down to watch some random game then wanders what he's doing.

It his current role it's probably a good thing with knowing the strengths of our roster, presuming the notes are on our roster. The opposition maybe for potential recruits.

Imagine if Kearney does get on his bad side and they decide to discuss his performance.

"This player leaked 4 tries one week, 12 tackles the following week instead of dropping him you made him captain"
"Against this side played in 26 degrees you left this player on for 36 minutes. He was noticeably gassed after 24. He missed 6 tackles from marker and stopped doing hitups."

 

[Blindside]

Smith was at the pre-season game in Whangarei too. Again sitting by himself.
He can't be happy with what is going on.
Surely if SK goes his input would be sought on a replacement?

 

[warriors55]

Just my opinion but I don't think anybody who worked with SK would rate him as a FG coach.

Smith was employed after SK (I think...trainspotters). He is a guy who would take his role very seriously, and that is getting this football department performing. I apologise for digressing but would that mean being happy about a guy who:

Didn't know that Solomone Kata couldn't pass to his winger? True ladies and jellybeans, not joking.
Thought that Adam Blair is worth $800,000 for four years
Lets one of your best backs go to Canberra?

IMO if Smith thinks that SK is up to the task, I would worry about Brian Smith, and I am not.

If that is true about Kearney not knowing Kata couldn't pass to his winger then the 1% of faith I had left in the process has evaporated.

edit: sorry its the "game model" now isn't it.

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

The comments by the CEO last week around accountability suggest to me he was preparing the ground for either SK or Smith or even both to go. My money would be on SK to go next year, Smiths record and his likely ability to articulate his own worth will mean he probably stays

 

[Noitall]

The comments by the CEO last week around accountability suggest to me he was preparing the ground for either SK or Smith or even both to go. My money would be on SK to go next year, Smiths record and his likely ability to articulate his own worth will mean he probably stays

Losing Corvo is one thing but if they were to let Smith or even O Sullivan go with their proven track records go i think that would be concerning. He may not have won a premiership but has a real knowledge for the game.