Whats also to consider is how our attacking performances have shaped up since Longy has left has the Coote injury clouded that situation. The Long, Lol + Holbrook coaching pyramid was always a good combination and we won't have any one of them left at the end of the season. Our new coach might find it difficult to gel with our current assistant coaches so its going to be a challenge to get the transition right and keep the club structure fluent in the process.
It's obvious when you look at us prior to his arrival were massively different to how we were. You've got to ask yourself how much of that change was down to the old coach underperforming as well though.
There's definitely been a big improvement both on and off the pitch and it's hard to tell as a fan how much is his doing and how much is down to the other staff in charge. His appointment was definitely a big changing point for us as a club and I just hope lessons have been learned the past few years as we definitely seem to be heading in a positive direction as a club.
As good as we've been since he's been here ultimately he'll be judged on 2 things, his impact to the club (which hes passed with flying colours) and pots, which up to now he's behind for me and this season will be the deciding factor for me, either him leaving as a legend or just someone who left the place in a better state than they got it.
You can definitely see from the video it's not been an easy choice for him and I genuinely wish him well in the future. He's been massive for putting us back on track. Once a saint always a saint.
I've posted about this a couple of times and it's true he definitely had a chat with Holbrook and rush about the job but was told he wouldn't be considered and we'd be looking for a replacement from the NRL. Hence him going elsewhere, fair play to him he chose union over a rival. I spoke to him after it was announced and he said he wanted to leave the door open with saints for a return rather than go somewhere else.
I very much believe that regarding Long, we've always been a good fit for him and I believe him when I hear that. I also believe that now probably wasn't the right time for him to take, much the same with Wello and Marshall who I like both of.
I know I threw my toys out of the pram a bit but after thinking about it, an Aussie coach is the obvious choice although not that Brennan fella, there's something I don't like about him. To be honest I don't really know much about any of them except what I've read and been told. I'm sure there's plenty on here who know more than me.
It's ultimately always going to be a gamble. When we appointed Holbrook two other names that were reportedly in the mix were Brennan and Furner. Holbrook is now taking Brennan's job with Furner as his assistant, which shows that we made the right choice but could easily have made the wrong one. Hopefully we'll get it right again this time.
Agree wholeheartedly TF.
There are a lot of dynamics that cannot be measured as such perhaps only guaged or felt. Reading Joynt and Scully`s auto bio`s they said that the Hanley & Millward disputes did not affect their play on the pitch. A few years ago I would say that a coach was easily replaced. I do not think that way now, the mechanics of RL is easy to teach, managing egos and personnality is not an easy task, it is very difficult to get everyone singing from the same hymn book. Justin has been a perfect fit at a perfect time. What cannot be doubted is the teams with Joynt/Sculthorpe would win in spite of who is in charge. If we are left with LLS only then the new head will push for dogged up the middle toughness over flair and panache. Time will tell, lets hope we win a title or three.
If you are talking about Gold Coast, it went: Gold Coast Giants > Gold Coast Seagulls (the one most rememeber) > Gold Coast Gladiators > Gold Coast Chargers > Gold Coast Titans.
Steelers were Illawarra Steelers, who merged with St George Dragons to become St George Illawarra Dragons. Hence opposing fans calling them St Merge.
Funny thing is there are old school loyalists in the NRL.
Illawarra Steelers fans who hate St George for merging and dropping their name.
Wests Magpies fans who hate Wests Tigers for merging and dropping their name.
Newtown Jets fans - who I don't think hate any club, as the club was outed years ago from NRL but still remains in lower grades.
North Sydney Bears fans - who I don't think hate any club, as the club was outed years ago from NRL but still remains in lower grades.
NOTE: Posts made on this account are personal opinions, and not the collective opinions of The Kennel nor it's memberbase.
Interesting piece on JH from the NRL website- did he open a steakhouse in St Helens? https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/08/02/...stin-holbrook/