NRL 2020: Bulldogs champ Braith Anasta says Trent Barrett could be a disaster as coach
A Bulldogs premiership player has revealed he believes appointing Trent Barrett as coach could be a disaster — and he believes the club should set its sights on two ambitious appointments.
NRL
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Canterbury premiership winner Braith Anasta believes the Bulldogs should be targeting Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy or South Sydney’s Wayne Bennett as head coach, not Trent Barrett.
Penrith assistant coach Barrett is closing in on the top job at Belmore after Dean Pay quit his post this week.
But Anasta believes the task of rebuilding the once proud club to its former glory is a task so great that handing the job to an inexperienced coach like Barrett could end in disaster.
“Is Barrett ready for that gig at the Bulldogs right now … he’s either going to be a success story, a young coach who turned one the biggest clubs around, or a disaster – there will be no in between,” he said.
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Anasta, who won a title at the Bulldogs in 2004, wants to see a premiership winning coach with authority, like a Bellamy or Bennett, take over at Belmore.
“Looking at a club like Bulldogs, they need a Bellamy or a Bennett. They need someone to come in who has won premierships, who knows what it takes to be at the top, who can tell the board to take a back seat so he make the decisions and the tough calls,” he said.
“They need someone who knows what success looks like and can attract players.
“They need a powerful figure at the helm.”
Bennett, who has won seven premierships, is contracted at Redfern until the end of 2021 but there is speculation he faces an uncertain future at the club. Bellamy, who has two titles to his name, has indicated that retirement could be his next move.
The Fox League analyst backed Barrett’s ability as a first grade coach but warned the lack of stability at board level, factional infighting and no high profile recruits would only set Barrett up to fail.
“If I’m Trent I’m very wary of making the decision to go there,” Anasta said.
“They are unstable at the moment. They haven’t bought anyone for next year, there’s not going to be a dramatic change in the roster. If Trent goes in there and only wins one out of six next year then all of a sudden the drums are beating.”
Barrett quit as Manly Sea Eagles head coach, his first ever head coaching role, in 2018 after three years at the club.
At Manly, Barrett faced a similar scenario not too different to what would be waiting for him at Belmore, one of instability at board level and the lack of resources. He was also criticised over his man management skills.
Anasta said an unsuccessful stint at the Bulldogs had the potential to destroy Barrett’s NRL head coaching career.
“I’m a big fan of Trent, he’s definitely a first grade coach and doing a tremendous job with Penrith. After the Sea Eagles, Trent can’t get it wrong this time. If he can’t get it right at the Bulldogs, his coaching career could be over,” he said.
The Bulldogs were forced into a rebuild after salary cap mismanagement under the previous administration left the club’s roster in disarray.
The club reportedly has a $3 million war chest to spend on recruitment for season 2021 but there is a distinct absence of marquee talent available on the player market.
It means the club could be forced to ‘move heaven and earth’ to lure the top talent into key positions like hooker.
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“They need a number nine, it’s imperative. If they moved heaven and earth they could get anyone they want, they have that much money. Harry Grant says he’s going back to Melbourne and the Tigers are trying to keep him but It could come down to making an offer to Grant, putting the heat on him,” Anasta said.
“Cameron McInnes at the Dragons is tough and he’s consistent. He’s one you would eyeball. He’d be a great addition to the club. He’s one of the players that they need that could make a difference.”
Anasta made his NRL debut at Canterbury in 2000 and went on to play 110 games including a starring role in the 2004 grand final victory over the Sydney Roosters.
“They’ve lost their DNA. It’s hard for me to say because I love the joint. But what I see now compared to when I was there is just chalk and cheese. It’s a different world.”
Originally published as NRL 2020: Bulldogs champ Braith Anasta says Trent Barrett could be a disaster as coach