NRL: Kearney reins in free spirits

Stephen Kearney. Photo / Getty Images

Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney might be getting somewhere in his Hurricanes-like effort to place structure ahead of free spirits.

Kearney and Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett are trying to bring structure to teams known as unfettered attackers who haven't won anything. Hammett's problems have been well-documented - going from assistant at the successful Crusaders to a misfiring Hurricanes mob as he tries to instil a longer-term formula for success.

Kearney is on a similar path. He was assistant coach to Craig Bellamy at Melbourne for five seasons - though he has also rejuvenated the Kiwis into a force capable of beating the Kangaroos.

It's the second part of Kearney's dual challenge which is taking longer - turning the Eels into a winning club; not easy from 12th spot in the premiership at the start of this weekend's round 13.

His first foray as a first grade head coach has brought plenty of hardship but, until recently, little reward.

The 40-6 hammering of a depleted Cronulla in round 11 was followed by an 8-6 defeat to Newcastle and on Friday, they fought to a 14-14 draw with defending champions St George. They are just one point outside the top eight.

Former Kiwis captain Hugh McGahan says this season is a work in progress for Kearney.

"Bringing structure to such a free-spirited team will be hard to adjust to week-in, week-out. This year, it's about Stephen finding those prepared to commit to his plan.

"At the moment - when things get tough - old habits return like throwing the ball around and hoping for the best.

"I was surprised they recruited [halfback] Chris Sandow for next season. He is a bit of a free spirit, too. I think they must have been under pressure to get a 'name' because I found that a contradiction.

"I'm surprised they don't try harder to get Adam Blair or someone from Melbourne with an ingrained work ethic. Fortunately they've already got someone there in [skipper] Nathan Hindmarsh who does have the ability to stick to a game plan.

"Once the foundation is set, they can then create some space for someone like Jarryd Hayne to show his skills - but not beforehand."

Another former Kiwis captain Richie Barnett agrees structure is needed in the Eels.

"It is something you fall back on under pressure when your natural talent and flair is not working," Barnett says. "Then it comes down to execution, rolling your sleeves up and winning the yardage game through kicks and tackle sets."

The Eels are a club with emotional baggage. Kearney is their fifth coach in six seasons and his predecessors are all notable - Brian Smith, Jason Taylor, Michael Hagan and Daniel Anderson. Anderson was sacked a year before his contract ended, despite taking the Eels to the 2009 grand final.

"It has been a consuming responsibility to get the club right," Kearney says. "It has been about breaking a few habits and instilling a culture change from the staff through to the players."

Kearney hasn't had to bang heads together but he is not the sort of boss who incites mutiny. He is more from the smiles-but-carries-a-big-stick mould.

However, Parramatta's results will need to improve for him to feel job security. The trouncing of the Sharks is balanced by the concession of 30 points or more in five of their seven losses, though they have conceded only 28 points in their last three matches.

At the start of round 13, the Eels had conceded the second-most tries and points of any team, despite the presence of legendary tacklers such as Hindmarsh. The Eels have also lacked attacking power; their offloads and tackle breaks are the lowest in the competition.

Kearney says the classic case of letting themselves down occurred in the 40-26 loss to the Cowboys in round 10. The Eels gave away five converted tries in the last 21 minutes, still led with 11 minutes to go but could not close it out.

"That was a realisation of where we're at; we need to be more accountable in those situations. Defence doesn't take too much time to correct; it has largely been about individual errors and requires better tackling. That is something I can't compromise on.

"On the attacking front, offloading has been a strength at Parramatta in the recent past, like when they made the grand final, but such a tactic can be a bit unpredictable for me. I'd rather build a stronger structure first and get [offloads] as a by-product."

Kearney is also keeping an eye on the bigger picture.

"Recruitment and development is a problem. Playing Cronulla, I noticed they had numerous former Parramatta juniors.

"Obviously you can't keep all the players you want but we need to retain some. That reflects the inconsistency which results from so many different coaches."

Kearney has dropped five-eighth Daniel Mortimer for now, a player he says is "still learning his trade", despite being named the Eels Rookie of the Year in 2009.

Jeff Robson and ex-Origin player Casey McGuire did an admirable job in the halves against the Sharks but Kearney has recruited Sandow and ex-Kiwi Ben Roberts to add depth next year.