Slade is a good guy, solid. Why else would bellamy keep him on the books thru some real injuries. He's a kiwi, from the chch system that is underrated cos of the AK pi predominance (actually from the west coast). Came thru the storm system with
Harris till his career as a player was ruled out thru dire injuries. Has the character Bellamy values and a footy brain. Why not??
If we get a coach of the right caliber the timing would be right for him to learn from, given he already has a fairly good idea from a players perspective. I thought he was our long term aim for HC position. Maybe I go that wrong, but those reasons still stand up.
As for Fitzgibbon, I think he is as likely as any truly "available" coach. People may laugh when I say the Warriors could attract a few of the top coaches mentioned alongside the Doggies job. But its about timing not some mass dislike of the Warriors. In my experience people in Aus are optimistic about the Warriors and not thought of as wooden spooner types. Right now is an excellent time, and Id be thinking talks are already being arranged to backup the discussion held with Nathan over performance.
We have a very good mobile pack next year, obviously Lodge missing is undesirable. We also do not have really good centres where a big chunk of tackles along with the halves are made in critical areas of the red zone. We sadly will not have
Chanel Harris-Tavita, but
Shaun Johnson is solid on defense and Im hoping Metcalf is at 6 for his explosive tackle busting runs, I hope he learns to read FG D quickly, but he comes from a good place so I think he will go well.
Roster wise there is a lot for a new Coach to really really like imo. Also, we are not that far from the mark. Given, our main reason for losing this year has been gifting 3 or so soft tries, often early, and losing by either conversions or a converted try and possibly a penalty etc. Fix those 3 bad defensive reads (more than just a missed tackle) each game and we win them. We are not that far out, the difference 7-14 isnt huge. And I see no reason to believe with improved D read we could not be top 4 based on the number of games we have lost by these kinds of margins (0-12), along with the extra Roster next year.
Nathan got to do pretty much whatever he wanted, which is very important for any incoming coach, within logistical sense that is. I would think we would have to sell the role this way.
Crowe laughed when asked if the Warriors could emulate Rabbits success and win, and said "easily". Of course easy for him to say, but he meant it. What we have always lacked is a high caliber roster and a quality coach a the same time, when it has happened in Cleary's case we have produced consistent results and that with respect, was not a targeted high quality level of either, it just occurred.
The main things imo that would concern incoming and unproven 2IC to Head Coach, would be what has happened in management 2018/19 and with the owners recently. That really needs some honesty, ownership and sold as learnt experiences.
I just hope they let Nathan know before his time is up and well before he starts making plans for NZ, if that is what they decide. But I still think there is a position in the club with his name on it. He is a great guy and has a terrific high level footie brain. Im not sure what that is suited to?
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