NRL 2023: Market value of every coach, top 7 replacement contenders revealed
Kevin Walters and Wayne Bennett have two of the highest profile jobs in rugby league, so why is one worth so much more than the other?
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Is your club getting value for money when it comes to your head coach?
Last year we ranked Trent Barrett and Nathan Brown as the two coaches with the least market value, while Michael Maguire came in at 14.
All three are now gone, while Des Hasler (who we ranked 7) was also sacked, and Adam O’Brien (ranked 15) remains under to pump.
Now, with Anthony Griffin emerging as the first coach of 2023 fighting to save his job, PAUL CRAWLEY looks at what each coach is being paid, and what they would be worth on the open market.
Our 1 to 24 rankings this year also include the top seven contenders to be next man up.
24. ANTHONY GRIFFIN
Age: 56
Coaching record: 10 seasons, 224 games, 117 wins, 4 finals appearances, 1 finals wins, 0 grand finals.
Career strike rate: 47.1%
Open market value: $250,000
On a reported $500,000 but his market value has plummeted given his next role will be as an assistant if he gets moved on from his third head coaching position. Won 50 per cent of games last year, but 4 finals in 10 seasons (with only 1 win) just doesn’t stack up in the cutthroat world of NRL.
23. ADAM O’BRIEN
Age: 45
Coaching record: 4 seasons, 74 games, 31 wins, 2 finals appearances, 0 finals wins.
Career strike rate: 41.9%
Open market value: $250,000
Deserves credit for the gutsy footy the Knights are playing, but that hasn’t stopped persistent rumours outside coaches are actively pursuing O’Brien’s job. If he doesn’t survive he won’t walk into another head role immediately, but is young enough to return down the track.
22. TIM SHEENS
Age: 72
Coaching record: 29 seasons, 673 games, 340 wins, 32 finals appearances, 19 finals wins, 5 grand finals, 4 grand final wins.
Career strike rate: 50.5%
Open market value: $400,000
Four-time premiership winning coach demands respect even though at 72 this will certainly be Sheens’ last head coaching position.
21. SHANE FLANAGAN
Age: 58
Coaching record: 8 seasons, 185 games, 102 wins, 12 finals appearances, 6 finals wins, 1 grand finals, 1 grand final wins.
Career strike rate: 55.1%
Open market value: $400,000
There were four jobs up for grabs last year and the fact the former premiership winner ended up as Anthony Seibold’s assistant suggests clubs still view Flanagan as damaged goods for previous dramas at Sharks.
20. JUSTIN HOLBROOK
Age: 47
Coaching record: 4 seasons, 73 games, 27 wins, 1 finals appearances, 0 finals wins.
Career strike rate: 37%
Open market value: $450,000
Needs to make the finals to keep his job but it would be a shame to see Holbrook chewed up and spat out so soon. Not only do the Titans play attractive footy but there’s a lot to like about his ‘no bullshit’ style.
19. BEN HORNBY
Age: 43
Coaching record: Yet to be a head coach
Open market value: $450,000
Former Dragons premiership winning captain who has done a solid apprenticeship under Wayne Bennett and now Jason Demetriou. Bennett thinks so highly of Hornby he actually wanted him at the Dolphins.
18. ANDREW WEBSTER
Age: 41
Coaching record: 2 seasons, 6 games, 3 wins, 0 finals appearances.
Career strike rate: 50%
Open market value: $500,000
Former Panthers assistant clearly knows what he’s doing given how quickly he’s transformed the Warriors. Getting paid roughly market value for a rookie coach without a profile.
17. JASON RYLES
Age: 44
Coaching record: Yet to be a head coach
Open market value: $500,000
Clubs pay for potential and right now the former Dragons prop who has worked at the Roosters, Storm and under Eddie Jones in English rugby is considered among the next best coaches in waiting. Hot tip to take over from Bellamy if the Dragons can’t twist his arm first.
16. ANTHONY SEIBOLD
Age: 48
Coaching record: 4 seasons, 70 games, 33 wins, 4 finals appearances, 1 finals win.
Career strike rate: 47.1%
Open market value: $500,000
On an estimated $600,000 and has done a good job so far re-establishing his reputation after the mess he left at the Broncos. Just needs to remember to sidestep Maccas instead of stopping in for a nap on way home after a night on the drink. While it’s not a sacking offence, can you imagine Trent Robinson putting himself in the same situation?
15. MICHAEL MAGUIRE
Age: 49
Coaching record: 10 seasons, 233 games, 114 wins, 9 finals appearances, 5 finals wins, 1 grand finals, 1 grand final wins.
Career strike rate: 48.9%
Open market value: $550,000
Premiership winning coach still young enough to recover from the train wreck that was his time at the Tigers.
14. DEAN YOUNG
Age: 39
Coaching record: 1 seasons, 6 games, 2 wins, 0 finals appearances.
Career strike rate: 33.3%
Open market value: $550,000
Bennett rates this bloke not only one of the toughest but best football brains he coached, and Young’s apprenticeship at the Cowboys has set him up as a long term head coach. It’s not a matter of if he gets a gig, it’s when.
13. KEVIN WALTERS
Age: 55
Coaching record: 3 seasons, 52 games, 24 wins, 0 finals appearances.
Career strike rate: 46.2%
Open market value: $600,000
It might look insulting to have the man in charge of the current outright NRL leaders this far down our list, but it is the reality. Recent reports indicate Walters is on about $500,000 and could pocket up to a $1m if he delivers a premiership given triggers in his new deal. He wouldn’t earn near that elsewhere despite the way the Broncos have started.
12. CAMERON CIRALDO
Age: 38
Coaching record: 2 seasons, 10 games, 5 wins, 2 finals appearances, 1 finals wins, 0 grand finals.
Career strike rate: 50%
Open market value: $600,000
So far we’ve only seen glimpses of Ciraldo’s potential due to the fact the Dogs just don’t have necessary experience in key positions.
11. DES HASLER
Age: 62
Coaching record: 18 seasons, 458 games, 258 wins, 30 finals appearances, 16 finals wins, 5 grand finals, 2 grand final wins.
Career strike rate: 56.3%
Open market value: $700,000
Another option to take over a struggling club like the Dragons where you could hand Hasler the keys of the football department and leave him to it. Sure, it would probably end messy at some stage. But just reflect on Hasler’s winning strike rate, 56.3% over 18 seasons. It still astounds me Manly sacked him.
10. KRISTIAN WOOLF
Age: 47
Coaching record: 1 seasons, 2 games, 1 wins, 0 finals appearances.
Career strike rate: 50%
Open market value: $700,000
If he wasn’t already lined up to take over the Dolphins, Woolf would be the next best head coach in waiting after outstanding success at St Helens and with Tonga. Don’t underestimate the role he’s doing now as Bennett’s 2IC.
9. RICKY STUART
Age: 56
Coaching record: 20 seasons, 471 games, 236 wins, 23 finals appearances, 15 finals wins, 4 grand finals, 1 grand final wins.
Career strike rate: 50.1%
Open market value: $750,000
While the Raiders have had a shaky start remember no one really gave them a hope of making the finals last year and Ricky proved them wrong once again. On about $800,000 but will never leave Canberra.
8. JASON DEMETRIOU
Age: 47
Coaching record: 2 seasons, 31 games, 18 wins, 3 finals appearances, 2 finals wins, 0 grand finals.
Career strike rate: 58.1%
Open market value: $750,000
Has done the best job yet of anyone taking over the hot seat from Bennett. Started on $550,000 but last year’s success would have triggered a handy pay rise. We valued him at $450,000 last year but could command in excess of $700,000 now.
7. CRAIG FITZGIBBON
Age: 45
Coaching record: 2 seasons, 30 games, 20 wins, 2 finals appearances, 0 finals wins.
Career strike rate: 66.7%
Open market value: $850,000
Recently extended until the end of 2027 and would have to be on $800,000 or else he’s been short changed. Love Fitzy’s poker face in the coaching box almost as much as the footy the Sharks are playing.
6. TODD PAYTEN
Age: 44
Coaching record: 4 seasons, 68 games, 33 wins, 2 finals appearances, 1 finals wins, 0 grand finals.
Career strike rate: 48.5%
Open market value: $900,000
Reportedly signed a $3m three-year upgrade in February and it’s a good thing the Cowboys locked him up when they did. If the Tigers were willing to offer $1.4m a season to Mitchell Moses, just imagine what they might pay Payten.
5. BRAD ARTHUR
Age: 48
Coaching record: 11 seasons, 234 games, 123 wins, 12 finals appearances, 4 finals wins, 1 grand finals, 0 grand final wins.
Career strike rate: 52.6%
Open market value: $1m
Was on about $700,000 last year but his recent extension on the back of making the grand final would have him on closer to $800,000 now. Weaker clubs would pay significantly more.
4. TRENT ROBINSON
Age: 46
Coaching record: 11 seasons, 261 games, 168 wins, 22 finals appearances, 13 finals wins, 3 grand finals, 3 grand final wins.
Career strike rate: 64.4%
Open market value: $1.3m
Reports suggest he’s on about $900,000, but we rated Robinson worth $1.3m last year and that figure stays. Even though the Chooks haven’t exactly set the world on fire in recent years, players love him and he has won 3 comps.
3. CRAIG BELLAMY
Age: 63
Coaching record: 21 seasons, 527 games, 366 wins, 47 finals appearances, 30 finals wins, 9 grand finals, 5 grand final wins.
Career strike rate: 69.4%
Open market value: $1.4m
We had him as the NRL’s only $2m man last year but the uncertainty surrounding Bellamy’s future - and if this will be his final season as a head coach - makes it’s hard to justify that same market value now. Still, a club like the Dragons would pay whatever it takes just to get him, even as a part-time advisor for a rookie coach.
2. WAYNE BENNETT
Age: 73
Coaching record: 36 seasons, 894 games, 560 wins, 74 finals appearances, 38 finals wins, 10 grand finals, 7 grand final wins.
Career strike rate: 62.6%
Open market value: $1.5m
If Bennett was having the same success in America they’d throw him up as a Presidential candidate given, at 73, he’s a spring chicken compared to Joe Biden (80) and Donald Trump (76). Here clubs keep pensioning him off only to see him turn up elsewhere with the same man management style that’s like watching a magic show.
1. IVAN CLEARY
Age: 52
Coaching record: 17 seasons, 400 games, 218 wins, 22 finals appearances, 13 finals wins, 4 grand finals, 2 grand final wins.
Career strike rate: 54.5%
Open market value: $1.6m
After back-to-back premierships Cleary is now the NRL’s new No 1 coach, taking the top spot previously owned by Bellamy, Bennett and Robinson. While Cleary could name his price at any number of clubs, he is signed until the end of 2027 on well over $1m-a-season.
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