NRL 2020: Geoff Toovey better fit for Dragons than Shane Flanagan
At a time when Bronson Xerri’s drug shame is still so fresh it is outrageous there is talk of Shane Flanagan possibly getting a head coaching reprieve.
NRL
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If St George Illawarra even contemplate asking the NRL to allow Shane Flanagan to take over from Paul McGregor it will be another embarrassing blight on what was once rugby league’s most famous brand.
And if it was allowed then surely we have to allow Jack de Belin to return immediately, and the Dragons could recruit Todd Carney and Ben Barba for good measure. Maybe we could even waive Bronson Xerri’s pending drug suspension.
Let’s remember when the NRL allowed Flanagan to take on his assistant coaching job this year it was under a strict proviso that Flanagan would not become a head coach until 2022.
Flanagan even came out and said he not only accepted the NRL’s decision but respected it.
And at a time when Xerri’s drug shame is still so fresh it is outrageous there is talk of Flanagan possibly getting a reprieve.
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If McGregor is to go, there are plenty of other worthy contenders. Roosters defensive coach Craig Fitzgibbon would be a standout, while he also has history at the club. Dean Young is on staff and a proven leader.
If they want to go for an experienced coach Anthony Griffin had a 55.5 per cent winning record over seven seasons — and I reckon he’d be even better after what he went through at Penrith.
But the other forgotten man is Geoff Toovey.
Toovs doesn’t get nearly the credit he deserves for his record over four years at Manly. He took over in a really difficult transition following Des Hasler and still managed a 58 per cent success rate that included a grand final appearance in 2013 — when many would argue the Sea Eagles had no luck with some tough calls.
The other thing about Toovey is that he oozes what this current Dragons team is seriously lacking — passion and a proven winning record.
Some might say Toovs wouldn’t be the right fit because he belongs at Manly.
I’d argue where Toovs belongs is in rugby league, full stop. It wouldn’t have mattered where he carved out his career, Toovs would have been a winner, regardless.
LISTEN! This week on The Daily Telegpaph podcast Mobbsy, Mick and Buzz talk through financial irresponsibility of clubs after just one round, Paul McGregor’s St George Illawarra future, Dean Pay being under pressure at Canterbury PLUS John Bateman’s injury and what it means for the Canberra Raiders’ premiership hopes