Crash Tackle: Ruthlessly self-centred coaches let down fans with lack of loyalty

IT’S only when you look back at some of the things written and said over the last few months that you realise how badly the public have been “played’’ in the game of musical coaches, writes Robert Craddock.

The coaching merrygoround as finally stopped with Ivan Cleary (from left) switching from Tigers to Panthers, Anthony Seibold from Rabbitohs to Broncos, Wayne Bennett from Broncos to Rabbitohs and Michael Maguire returning to the NRL fold at the Tigers.

• Bennett’s Rabbitohs primed to poach Pangai Jr
• Revealed: Bennett’s plan to build Bunnies dynasty

LET’s talk about the great coaching swap between Anthony Seibold and Wayne Bennett but first up let’s talk about you.

A simple question ...

Have you ever been in a situation where you have quit your job to go to a competitor and had to serve, say, a month’s notice?

If so, where was your head and heart during that month?

Exactly.

You were daydreaming, plotting and planning for the road ahead weren’t you?

No apologies needed.

It’s human nature.

But it does show that behind the carefully choreographed veneer of happiness of the great coaching swap, the game’s most important entity, the fans – yet again – have found their loyalty is far deeper than your average coach.

The coaching merrygoround as finally stopped with Ivan Cleary (from left) switching from Tigers to Panthers, Anthony Seibold from Rabbitohs to Broncos, Wayne Bennett from Broncos to Rabbitohs and Michael Maguire returning to the NRL fold at the Tigers.

And this is only the start of the story, not the end of it.

Every predictable trend in rugby league suggests there will be some major blow-ups ahead.

And most of them will be over player recruitment ... players that Bennett wants to take to the Rabbitohs (such as Tevita Pangai Jr) or Seibold wants to bring to the Broncos.

When you strip away all the big reputations and huge salaries, many first grade coaches are ruthlessly self-centred characters big on personal ambition and short on loyalty.

Over the past few weeks there have been reports printed claiming Souths were becoming increasingly frustrated with Seibold’s inability to sign a contract extension.

Could you blame them?

They plucked him from relative obscurity and gave him a first grade chance and, within a year of getting the job, he’s agreed to go elsewhere.

Who wouldn’t be filthy?

Wayne Bennett is joining Russell Crowe at South Sydney after turning down a Rabbitohs deal back in 2012.

It’s only when you look back at some of the things written and said over the last few months that you realise how badly the public have been “played’’ in the game of musical coaches which left everyone bar Kevin Walters with a seat.

This from Ivan Cleary – from a prepared statement no less – on August 11 over the red-hot rumour he was heading back to Penrith who, incredibly, will be paying three first grade coaches next year – Michael Maguire at Wests Tigers, sacked Anthony Griffin and Cleary.

“I’ve been very disappointed with the amount of misinformation surrounding myself and my family this week,” Cleary read from his statement.

“I respect all of the people and supporters involved with this club and intend to honour this contract.’’

As experienced league writer Brent Read tweeted yesterday, the media cannot wait to hear from Cleary again to find out what that “misinformation’’ actually was.

And what happened to Cleary’s intention to honour his contract with the Tigers?

It seemed the only person in league on August 11 who did not think Cleary was about to walk away from the Tigers was the man himself.

Ivan Cleary (right) is back in Panthers colours after the club dumped Anthony Griffin (middle) mid-season. Ex-Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire (right) will take over at the Tigers.

The pressure on Cleary and his son Nathan is now immense.

Penrith has spent about $7 million to unite them.

If it works it has the potential to be one of the most ­romantic tales in league.

But if it doesn’t, it will be ­extremely difficult for both of them to bear in the short and long term.

Having a father coach his son at the top level sounds great in theory.

But sometimes it’s even better if their careers don’t cross so, in a perverse sort of way, they can support each other from a distance.

One might be up when the other is down, but when you are both at the same club, they will have to sink or swim together.

Penrith have staked the farm on the fact that the latter will come true.

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