By MAL COLLITS
PROFESSIONAL rugby league clubs have changed a great deal since Jack Gibson first visited American NFL franchises forty-five years ago. Jack essentially established what is today known as the ‘Football Department.’ Weight programs were virtually non-existent until rugby league’s first ‘Super Coach’ introduced his Eastern Suburbs players to the Nautilus training machines four decades ago; and if you wanted an assistant you bought a dog.
Modern day head coaches who sit atop empires owe a lot to Gibson. In the 1970s, first grade coaches didn’t get much of a say in operational matters … Jack changed that. He appointed his own staff and they moved with him from club-to-club – including his right-hand man Ron Massey; medico, Alf Richards and conditioner, Mick Souter.
Fast forward to 2017 and Nautilus training systems have morphed into centres of excellence. The right-hand man and conditioner has been replaced and complimented with football managers, high performance directors, strength and power coaches, sports scientists, video and performance analysts and welfare and education officers. Some clubs’ football departments have become so bloated the ARL commission has decided to introduce a spending cap as a means of equalisation.
Traditionally, assistant coaches have enjoyed relatively good job security whilst ever their head coach remained at the club. This off-season has seen that trend change somewhat.
Andrew McFadden was the only NRL head coach moved on at the end of last season; however in an unprecedented move he was retained by the New Zealand Warriors to assist his successor, Stephen Kearney. Meanwhile Steve McNamara departed the Roosters to also assist at the Warriors.
The Roosters replaced McNamara with Matt King from South Sydney. Speaking of Souths, they released Kurt Wrigley who joined Simon Woolford at the Knights; Wayne Collins who has linked up with the Dragons to cover for Jason Demetriou who has departed for the Broncos and David Penna who will assist at the Bulldogs. Whilst on the subject of Canterbury, they released Des Hasler’s long term assistant Kelly Egan who has since taken on the role of general manager of football operations at the Wests Tigers.
Steve Georgallis will also assist at Belmore following his recent legal battle with Manly over his termination. The Sea Eagles hired Willie Peters as an assistant to replace Anthony Seibold who crossed the bridge to sign with the Rabbitohs. Joining Seibold at Redfern is the experienced David Furner who has been replaced by David Fairleigh at the Cowboys.
Whilst still up north, the Titans have signed Craig Hodges from the Broncos to assist Neil Henry.
The Wests Tigers meanwhile have elected to further resource Jason Taylor by securing Andrew Webster from the Warriors to partner Paul Stringer and Craig Sandercock as his assistants.
The Panthers parted company with both assistant coaches Alex Melville and Garth Brennan as well as veteran conditioners David Boyle and Ron Palmer; with the ageless Palmer finding a new home thirty minutes further down the Great Western Highway at the Eels.
Yes, professional rugby league clubs have come a long way since the days of Jack and Mass.
