Hugh McGahan: Only the best fit club dream
Storm coach Craig Bellamy. Photo / Getty Images
It's irrelevant whether Brian McClennan made the decision to step down from the Warriors head coaching role or someone else made it for him; it's done. The focus is now on the best person to be offered the position.
Some weeks ago, there was a press conference by the Warriors outlining their vision for the organisation and how they were seeking to be the best sports franchise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Now that such a critical role within that vision is to be filled, they should not go into the market place and cast a net far and wide in the hope the best candidate applies for the job.
This is a head hunting campaign and they should offer it to the best person - and there have been noises coming out of the Warriors that they are doing that.
Currently it is assumed the three best people are Des Hasler, Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy.
You bombard them with your intentions, your dreams and your plan to achieve them - which includes them at the helm. Remember, these people must fit the vision of the club. To be the best, you must entice the best.
At present, I cannot see Bennett accepting this job, even if one of the Warriors owners, in particular Owen Glenn, was to throw money at him. That would become a war between himself and Newcastle Knights owner and multi-millionaire Nathan Tinkler. It would be an ego-driven affair, fighting for the title of who has the biggest pockets. No one wins that fight. Bennett is in the first year of a four-five year deal and will honour that arrangement.
Hasler is at a good club. Why would he leave the Bulldogs sitting at the top of the table?
That leaves Bellamy, who has one year left on his deal and would, at present, be top of the list for the Warriors. He fits the vision of the club and would drive a large part of it and is capable of meeting and even surpassing the goals. The only stumbling block would be his tenure at Melbourne with a year left on his contract.
Would he seek a release from it? My early suspicion is that, like Bennett, he is a values-based person and would also honour his contract. Bellamy would be welcomed in New Zealand and would instil a work ethic foreign to most players in the NRL. His drive, determination and desire is evident in his speech and his record speaks for itself; he is desperately needed and is the man for this role.
Other coaches do not fill the criteria but there is no doubting their abilities. Tim Sheens, Brian Smith and Steve Folkes are suggested names along with others and warrant consideration - but only after the above mentioned decline the offer.
Rookie coaches, failed coaches and similar need not apply. The rookie coach can be appointed to hang off the coat tails of the master and learn - and know that, in time, he will inherit the position.
The first is ex Dragons coach, Nathan Brown. He has developed a less emotional powered style in the UK Super league and he has come a long way from those air punching sideline days at St George.
Jim Dymock has been serving a solid apprenticeship and is ready for the step up to his own first team. The biggest key would be that fit you write about.
A third that is worth a look is Royce Simmons who is another that started with his home club and then moved onto Super League. Chuck Mel Meninga into the mix and it's not just a two or three horse race.
It seems generally accepted the Super League game is of a lower standard and think in NZ and Australia we have come to believe that - and it's not true. The game is different in the style and club structure, but the competition has developed in intensity & does produce good coaches - see Michael McGuire at Souths.
Aussie hopefuls may have the inside running with some great AND good talent in the coaching ranks, but after all the boxes have been ticked by both parties we might be surprised.
However the on field results will always fall short because league is not a good cultural fit in a New Zealand environment.
It is more suited to Oz where people like things plain and simple. A red card from the NRL might be the least painful way for the Warriors to exit. I feel they have lost support and confidence in NZ with all decent people. Coaches cannot prevent a team from choking every week.