There are obvious targets like Thompson, but I think Thompson could have the pick of NRL clubs and unless he has a particular affinity with Holbrook, I'd expect him to be looking at one of the clubs who perennially challenge for the GF. Not sure Walmsley is hot on the idea of moving over to Aus (and I don't think he'd be as effective over there, with their fiercer defences). Makinson is under contract and will be 29 next year so he may have missed the chance, but who knows.
I said yesterday that I think Holbrook might target Coote. I don't know how he and his family have subsequently settled (we all though Holbrook & family were settled & happy in sunny Tellins) but he wasn't happy at the prospect of having to leave the NRL to continue his career. He's central to how Holbrook likes to play the game and, whilst I don't know what the Titans incumbent FB is like, Holbrook might see Coote as his on-field lieutenant, and Coote might see that option as a way back to the NRL.
Knowles is the other fear. He is ideally suited to the NRL and progressing into a top class player. He was happy to move here from Barrow at a young age, so maybe willing to take a bigger step.
Grace and Percival aren't IMO suited to the NRL. Lees & Ashworth are still to prove themselves.
It says nothing of the sort.
It's a typical throw away journo line that means nothing.
"If Holbrook gets the role, it’s unclear whether he’ll leave St Helens immediately or finish the Super League season before returning to Australia."
It's unclear to the journo as they have not confirmed the details as the details have not been published. But that is a far stretch to suggest that the entire article suggest he would leave before the end of the season.
The chairman has been directly quoted in the press as saying that the coach will definitely remain in post until the end of the season and contingency plans are already in place with regards to a new coach, I would expect a press release to be made at exactly the same time in Australia and UK.
Wherever Holbrook goes, Thompson will follow. If I was Holbrook, I’d have made it a condition of my contract.
I think this whole “taking players with him” is a bit of a nonsense. Happy to be put right but I can’t think of many examples when it’s happened with previous coaches
I remember when Nathan Brown won us the LLS and grand final then went to Newcastle and took all our players with him.
He also took the Blackpool stand off and one of the centres, we played for a few weeks with a lad from eccleston lions and a centre from pilks
Not easy but the point is we will get by, some good lads down at pilks will get a run out next year no doubt if Holbrook leaves
I totally agree, I think the guys running the club have learned a lot the past few years. Hence the reason long wasn't given the job.
Has anyone thought he could still fail this year and the new guy could be the key to getting us over the line? Or is it all just thoughts of him running off, us folding and all our players moving across the world?
Agreed. If we win or fail this year people will attribute that to Holbrook leaving regardless. I'm not sure what happens next year will affect much this season, players have worked so hard to get to this point they will want to go all the way
Next season will be a new dawn, nothing stays the same forever, we will make it work again