Our next head coach

Who should be the head coach in 2026?

  • Blake Green

    Votes: 5 5.9%

  • Brian McDermott

    Votes: 14 16.5%

  • Brad Arthur

    Votes: 13 15.3%

  • Willie Peters

    Votes: 40 47.1%

  • John Morris

    Votes: 18 21.2%

  • Justin Holbrook

    Votes: 42 49.4%

  • Des Hasler

    Votes: 1 1.2%

  • Sam Burgess

    Votes: 1 1.2%

  • Billy Slater

    Votes: 6 7.1%

  • Other (name below)

    Votes: 1 1.2%
  • Total voters
    85
Mclovin said:
To a lot of people, Jake Clifford was going to be the thing we needed... I want to get hyped for Sandon and I am excited to see what he can do but I've had my heart broken before 😅
Click to expand...
Yeah I get that and I don’t 100% trust my own judgement because I really wanted Jake.

I sort of rely on crowd wisdom a bit here:

- He turned down $400K per season from the Roosters to stay as back up to Walker/DCE while he developed. They had said multiple times that they see him as Keary’s successor - I think the truth is more like he was going to compete with Toby Rodwell for it, but it’s different to Jake Clifford in that Jake wasn’t wanted at the Cowboys. The Roosters rate him.

- There was at least a decent bidding war for him vs the Cowboys, who were saying he’d get first dibs at their 6 jersey.

- The Raiders were also keen on him and their track record for identifying which back-up/developing players are genuine talents is really good (Charnze, Weekes, Strange, etc).

- Despite wearing 6 this year it’s been noted that he’s been the Roosters’ dominant playmaker, they settled on Savala as his halves partner due to his defence & so Sandon wouldn’t have to worry too much about the kicking load (have heard Robbo talk about player development in terms of players having like a mental ‘cup’ that they don’t want to fill up too fast, I think this is an example of this).

- The team where he was the main guy steering them around was 5th in attack. They might have been top two with Walker all year but obviously he’s not in that class.

- POS has about as good a track record at recruiting halves as anyone has ever had.

So yeah I feel like I don’t have to trust my own judgement so much on this one. It’s a lot of people who are wrong besides me if he stinks 😆
 
He's a very good attacking coach compared to O'Brien, we will probably have much better attack for the most part. Hopefully he can reach higher than O'Brien faster, would be nice to finish top 4 next year.
 
IMG_8380.jpeg
That’s what Holbrook has actually said for those wondering, not ruling out half or hooker. He just said he’s not locked in at one or the other, every option is still on the table by the sounds.
 
Owey said:
So the mole had it wrong?!? No way!!
Click to expand...
Baz also thinks Sandon will be the 7 and basically said he thinks you’d be pretty naive to think Holbrook getting in Sandon’s ear & telling him he’d play him at 7 isn’t the reason we got that one over the line.
 
HarVeeGee13 said:
Baz also thinks Sandon will be the 7 and basically said he thinks you’d be pretty naive to think Holbrook getting in Sandon’s ear & telling him he’d play him at 7 isn’t the reason we got that one over the line.
Click to expand...
You lost me at "Melbourne don't have a system".
 
HarVeeGee13 said:
Alright Mr Strawman, you wanna make a bet who the 7 is gonna be?
Click to expand...
How would that bet even work?

We are about to go in to a preaseaon with a new coach. He will trial players in different positions, some will outshine others. Some will be training in certain positions really well but still be used in others to add depth. Holbrook would have his ideal spine in mind already, with Smith at 7. I have no doubt Smith will train at 9, 7 and 6. He may prove to be the ideal 7. Ponga may leave and change Holbrook's current thinking. Smith might excel at 9. By the end of the trials, Holbrook might have Smith locked in as a 9 for round 1, then Brown cuts himself shaving. There is (and already has been) plenty going on in the four walls of the club we, and the more, don’t know about. Too many variables to make a bet.

And besides, I wasn't making a strawman argument, I was making a clear statement. You lost me with the Melbourne claims.
 
Sandon Smith cant tackle and is an average general play kicker, unless we're talking tactical grubbers in behind type of thing. That's the only reason he didnt cost us $700/800k.

Only problem we've got is that Brown is also an average general player kicker. Put it this way, there wont be any 40/20s next year, but we'll get by with some big boot options from Crossy and Ponga
 
I reckon Sandon defends okay but in a "he's tough for his size" way. Like of him, Keary & Sam Walker, I think he defends the best. But yeah little fella like that is always going to be a target in the line and if you are carrying two halves that are that small that's always going to be a disadvantage to overcome. Unfortunately a lot of guys with that nice first receiver skillset are little blokes, and it's a skillset which is generally pretty essential.

Definitely think we want Lucas moved to that side rather than having him defend with McEwen or alongside whichever other really young, inexperienced guy.

And yeah on the kicking, Brown will have to do more. Definitely will need to be a team where it's a good kicking game in aggregate because the opposing outside backs don't know where the kick is coming from and the opposing defensive line can't just focus on pressuring one guy.
 
A lot talking McEwen as auto selection 2nd row but for mine let him be bench or even Cup and work on his game.
He exceeded my expectations but tapered off towards the end so at this stage prefer Frizell but have no doubt McEwen will become a regular top squad player, just give him a bit of time
 
So many people talking about Smith as 9? Holbrook isn’t stupid, he knows Smith is instantly our best half option, he knows Brown is an international five-eighth, he will say what he says but I’m not being fooled

If anyone wants to screenshot this but I’ll put $100 down that by round 1 (baring unforeseen events) Smith will line up in the 7. I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.
 
Frank McWilliams said:
A lot talking McEwen as auto selection 2nd row but for mine let him be bench or even Cup and work on his game.
He exceeded my expectations but tapered off towards the end so at this stage prefer Frizell but have no doubt McEwen will become a regular top squad player, just give him a bit of time
Click to expand...
He had some shocking defensive reads in the last couple of games, which a decent coach should be able to fix. But I really like his enthusiasm.
 
Les Misérables said:
Good sense prevails.

In other news, Pezet has now embarrassed himself cucking via the media for a loan-to-buy deal... As of yet, there is zero interest.

If im Ricky Stuart I'm doing anything and everything to bring him to Canberra. That's one signing that would immediately take them to a higher level
Click to expand...
I reckon I've got the exact read on what him & Braith want and it's gonna make us all sick. Noting that someone affiliated with the Dragons asked Braith about him going there on TV the other day and Braith laughed in his ****ing face, as well as having a little chuckle when people talk about Newy coming back in on him. I don't think it's 100% Newy hate that led him to reject us. He wants to play for a "big" club. I remember back when we were chasing him I listened to him talk on a podcast about why he left Newy and went to the Storm, and he never actually mentions his dad - he just said he was keen to get into the most elite environment, he dreamed of playing with Cam Munster, etc. So that's always been his first choice. But if the door closes at Melbourne there'll be somewhere else in mind.

So, just been reported the Titans are keen to take him on loan. That gives them a season to put him in the shop window. At the end of 2026, Reynolds, Hunt & DCE all retire most likely, freeing up a $500K wage from each at both Brisbane and Easts. If Jonah has a season where the form he's shown for the Storm late this year is a true indication of his level, he can probably just pick his preferred destination.

Walsh, Mam and Pezet are all within six months of each other in age - all three will be 24 at the start of 2027. Obviously the Roosters would be appealing too, but if I was him and it was an option, that's where I'd go - Brisbane. Hunt & Reyno make about a million between them so they can give him about what we offered easily, probably a bit more.

Yuck.

But anyway. The talent is out there. No use crying about it. Newy just needs to forge its own path with stars who actually want to be here.
 
Last edited:
Treadly said:
Only issue is a lack of kicking meters, across our halves. Hopefully the afl kicking coach helps that
Click to expand...
It is a concern.

Id like to see us use Crossland and Ponga optionally the way the Broncos use Walsh for end of set kicking. Its not like Kayln is part of the kick chase anyway
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top