NRL Blog
Is Brian Smith The One? Post by: Dan Ginnane 20 July, 2009 - 10:18 AM
Brian Smith is perfectly entitled to walk out on the Newcastle Knights and is an astute acquisition for the Sydney Roosters.
Smith is the perfect buy for the Roosters.
They need a shake up - Smith's specialty. He is fast becoming known as the Gordon Gekko of the NRL. Smith walks into a struggling organisation, breaks it apart, rebuilds a better model, then walks away.
It's exactly what the Roosters need. Except for the first half of 2008, the Roosters have been going backwards since midway through 2005. A long decline. They've been getting old, while their recruiting has been misguided. Smith will bring unfashionable players, with purchases that will undoubtedly raise eyebrows. However they'll work for him.
As for Smith's decision to walk out on Newcastle, he simply walked before he was pushed. When his original contract expired, the Knights were only willing to extend Smith's deal by one season. Hardly a show of confidence for a man who made them competitive again.
Apparently some board members wanted to offload him then and there. Those rumours would seem accurate given the Knights recently allowed Smith a bizarre three-week window find another club. You get the feeling a mini-slump could have been enough to see Smith get the axe. Problem was the Knights upward curve meant they had to stick.
Until now.
Will this mid-season derail Newcastle's season, as has been suggested? It shouldn't, but if the Knights players are brittle, perhaps it will. Many recycled players in that squad owe their collective careers to Smith, so perhaps they now owe Smith their 100 per cent commitment for the remainder of his tenure.
Will the Knights' loss be the Roosters' gain?
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stone says
Interesting move, really interesting.
Whilst this might work out for the Roosters in the long run, I do feel sorry for freddie Fittler and wish he was better treated by the club that he helped make successful.
Posted Monday 20 July, 2009 10:33 AM -
jacob long says
isn't brian smith the greatest coach ever not to win a premiereship? the chookies might never win a grand final again with smithy at the helm!
Posted Monday 20 July, 2009 10:36 AM -
Dave says
Brian Smith is a great coach - but he won't win you a premiership.
He loves the challenge of building a team from the ground-up. And for the Roosters, who are in danger of collapsing, he's a great buy.
He turned the Eels into semi-final contenders after 10 years in the wilderness, and he's done the same with The Knights.
But he just doesn't have the x-factor of a Wayne Bennett or Phil Gould to turn a good team into a great one.
Posted Monday 20 July, 2009 4:47 PM
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Thommo says
See ya later Willie Mason. Brian Smith won't tolerate any of his bulls**t.
Posted Monday 20 July, 2009 4:49 PM -
james spiropoulos says
this whole affair was known around the traps about 6 weeks ago.I knew it and im just a humble cafe owner in surry hills.
Posted Monday 20 July, 2009 8:09 PM
unfortunately freddie screwed himself in townsville. -
Rod says
As a lifelong Rooster's fan, I have become slowly embarrassed to admit to being one over the past few years.
The Roosters management have shown absolutely zero loyalty to anyone - even their greatest heroes.
I am sorry, but Freddy's sacking falls squarely on the shoulders of the management. a few years ago, if they didn't think their decade-long Premiership-winning star was up to the task of head coach, they shouldn't have put him in there. They should have left Fitler as a hero and assistant coach for a few more seasons.
I feel management should work more towards patience, loyalty and club morale as opposed to trying to buy a premiership.
Posted Wednesday 22 July, 2009 12:19 PM -
Phillip Tovey says
I heard this on the grape vine 6 weeks ago. I am really suprised that freddy was shocked to hear this as everyone in league circles talks about this.
Posted Wednesday 22 July, 2009 1:09 PM -
Ron Saddler says
The Sydney Morning Herald had this to say about the Roosters tonight: "clearly lacking spirit and inspiration following a season from hell". Lacking spirit, I don't think so. So played with commendable passion, particularly in the second half. 38% of possession in the first half probably took a bit out of them though.
Posted Monday 27 July, 2009 10:21 PM
