Neil Henry’s treatment highlights need for NRL coaches association

NEIL Henry’s just a coach. Expendable. Why does the game think it’s OK that Henry is a 56-year-old without a job? If ever coaches needed a voice, it’s now.

Gold Coast coach Neil Henry speaks to the media on Tuesday at Titans headquarters. Picture: AAP

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SO who has got Neil Henry’s back? Anyone?

A former Dally M coach of the year, a career loaded with contacts and friendships from three NRL clubs and 10 years of coaching top-flight rugby league.

So what? He’s gone now. Knifed, shot down by the Hayne Plane, however which way you see it.

Gold Coast coach Neil Henry speaks to the media on Tuesday at Titans headquarters. Picture: Getty Images

It doesn’t matter to us, he’s just a coach. Expendable.

Why does the game think it’s OK that Henry is a 56-year-old without a job? If ever the coaches needed a voice, it’s today.

In 2015, after speaking with Sydney Swans coach John Longmire, Roosters mentor Trent Robinson sent an email to his NRL colleagues declaring why he believed it was time for them — like the AFL — to join forces to form an RLCA (Rugby League Coaches Association).

The introduction of an RLCA remains a “work in progress”. The hope is we could see something formal before next season. It can’t happen soon enough.

Titans star Jarryd Hayne is tackled by Dragons opponent Matthew Dufty during Gold Coast’s loss to St George Illawarra at UOW Jubilee Oval on Saturday. Picture: AAP

The AFL has had a coaches’ association since 2002.

In the US, coaches in the NBA and NFL band together to assist their colleagues, not necessarily from being shown the door, but with handling unstable coaching environments. They also help them through the next door.

If ever a situation highlighted the need for the coaches to have a voice, it’s the imminent sacking of Henry.

Neil Henry says he wants to remain Titans coach next year. Picture: Getty Images

If this were a player — and we’ve seen it happen before — there would be outrage from Coolangatta to Canberra.

And sure enough, the RLPA would have flooded every media outlet with a statement by now.

“The RLPA today expresses its disappointment in the handling of Johnny Smith’s departure from the Gold Coast Titans,’’ it might have read.

“The RLPA has met with Johnny, offering our full support to both he and his family.

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“We view his welfare as paramount and with the RLPA’s professional advice, we’ll support Johnny as he continues to work towards succeeding as a professional rugby league player.’’

Nobody knows where Henry’s future lies.

But at least if the RLCA was up and running, the potential of a coaching network of past, present, old, new, experienced and rookie coaches would be able to offer support and contacts which, quite possibly, could save a quality mentor and teacher from being washed up at 56.