Darren Manaway takes over as Nightcliff Dragons coach in the 2023 NRL NT season

Nightcliff Dragons appoint six-time premiership player as their new A-Grade head coach for the 2023 NRL NT season.

Nightcliff Dragons have named Darren Manaway as their new head coach for 2023. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Nightcliff Dragons are aiming to return to the top of the NRL NT ladder in 2023, and are hoping a club stalwart at head coach will help them get there.

Darren Manaway has had a long time connection with the Dragons playing 200 A-Grade games and winning six premierships, and now he’s hoping to bring that experience as the club’s new coach.

It’s no secret that 2022 was a year of ups and downs for the traditional NRL NT powerhouse who celebrated their 60th anniversary, but also failed to make finals in any of their senior grades.

The A-grade started their year fairly strongly, beating South Darwin and Brothers in the opening two rounds, but quickly faded as work commitments meant players couldn’t be around as frequently.

Darren Manaway hopes to bring a back to basics approach to Nightcliff. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

But Manaway, who has worked as the NRL NT game development officer in recent years, is hoping a back-to-basics approach will help his club return to the top.

Outside his NRL NT duties Manaway has been a constant help around clubs, and last year stepped in as an assistant for the Dragons’ women’s side.

“I’m feeling pretty honoured to get the role having been around the club for so many years as a player or 13 years and a life member,” Manaway said.

“They’ve been a pretty successful club for a number of years, I just want to take them back to the fundamentals of rugby league which is run hard, tackle hard and unite the club through that.

“Coaching was always on the cards having been around rugby league for so long. It was just a case of timing, and the timing was right this year.

“There are no illusions about the job at hand and along with the incoming support staff we are looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

But key to Nightcliff’s success in 2023 will be player retention, as the club were unable to get their whole best side on the field for most of their 60th year.

Robbie Butcher has been the benchmark player in the competition over the past couple of years winning back-to-back Frank Johnson medals.

Back to back Frank Johnson medal winner Robbie Butcher is a player Nightcliff will build their squad around. Picture Glenn Campbell

Tim Muhammad and David Tabuai are two others the club will be hoping to keep around as their experience will mesh well with a growing group of junior players.

“It’s only early days yet, but we had a good list of players this year and we have a good influx of those guys coming back, and also looking to get some past players back on board,” Manaway said.

“If I can unite the club and a bit of stability I think we will go a long way in pushing forward.”

Nightcliff president Mark Wright said Manaway was the obvious choice for the role after he had stepped in to help the senior women’s side in 2022.

“Out of a large list of applicants he was the best man for the job and we had no dramas appointing him,” Wright said.

“I think he will bring more stability to the club, he will attract a few players that used to play, and people will come back because of him.

“He’s got a very good understanding of the game, is able to solve problems quickly and is great communicator.”