Even QRL chair Bruce Hatcher concedes Green is unlikely to remain at the helm under the current conditions, which basically saw him take charge for the Origin series but have little influence over other parts of the process.
In NSW, Brad Fittler has an all-encompassing role. He works with the pathways, plays a role in developing stars of the future and is part of the Blue’ community programs.
Green’s role was far more simplistic. He took charge for two months with one goal in mind — retaining the Origin shield. His compensation reflected as much.
Weekend Read understands Green pointed out the limitations in the role as part of his input into the QRL review, which began almost immediately after the Origin shield was lifted by NSW captain James Tedesco.
There has been a clamour in some quarters for Wayne Bennett to be recalled but Green remains the choice of Hatcher, although the sense is that for him to return he would require a greater say in the Queensland program and a pay packet that reflects as much.
“There was a lot of people to be reviewed and most of that has been done,” Hatcher said.
“Out of that there were lots of issues that had to be addressed. If you look at Paul Green, you had a head coach with restrictions on him in that the only involvement he had was direct involvement in preparing for the camp and then the camp.
“I think if you said to him you were appointed on the same conditions as last year, you couldn’t see him for dust. I have no doubt from speaking to him that there are a lot of things he wants changed.
“He will want more say in how he is judged. We have KPI (key performance indicators) on these guys but you can’t have KPIs if they are not relevant to his power.”
Asked whether Green’s return would likely mean more significant investment given his role would need to be widened, Hatcher said: “There has to be a mature discussion about what he wants and what we’re prepared to fund.
“There are some bigger issues for Queensland. We have a dearth of talent in key positions. In the very short-term, we have to create some more players.”
There has been a clamour in some quarters for Bennett to return given he will leave South Sydney at the end of the season. Hatcher, who is close to Bennett, insisted the QRL had moved on after the seven-time premiership winner stood down following last year’s series.
“We have to keep moving forward,” Hatcher said.
Madness at Eels and Tigers
The next month or so is going to be full of madness for Parramatta and Wests Tigers fans. In many ways, it has already begun. Earlier this week it emerged that a third party had contacted the Eels and asked whether they would be interested in outgoing South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett.
It is understood the approach was made without Bennett’s knowledge. Then the rumour to end all rumours started circulating — that NSW coach Brad Fittler was now the favourite to take over from Brad Arthur should Parramatta bomb out in the finals.
Fittler has done an outstanding job with NSW and hasn’t ruled out returning to NRL coaching — he had two years at the Sydney Roosters some time ago. Arthur has another year on his deal and hasn’t give up on this season and the Eels insist he is still their man.
The rumours only illustrate the heat around the Eels as they cling to a place in the top four heading into the final month of the regular season. Things could go south very quickly if they don’t turn things around.
The sense is that things have already started going south at the Wests Tigers. Michael Maguire is clinging to his position — some would have you believe the decision has already been made and he will be moved on when the season is over.
Shane Flanagan and Cameron Ciraldo have been earmarked as the favourites to take over but there are others who will no doubt come under consideration. Take for example Tongan coach Kristian Woolf.
He has done a remarkable job at the helm of Mate Ma’a, luring the likes of Jason Taumalolo into the fold and securing a historic first win over Australia.
He took over at Super League side St Helens last year and has already led the club to a grand final victory over Wigan and a Challenge Cup win over Hull. He deserves to be in the discussion if the Tigers make the tough — and some would say unfair — call to change coaches.
$30m expansion black hole
The clubs are in the process of putting together a document that will give the NRL an estimate of how much money they have lost due to the latest impact of the Covid-19 virus.
It is only early days but initial estimates suggest it could be anything up to $30 million, leaving the NRL to decide whether to fill the void as it did last season.
It comes as the NRL and ARL Commission prepare to take another look at expansion. The prospect of a 17th team was put on the backburner when the competition was under threat but now that things have returned to a sense of normality, ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys confirmed the league would start discussing expansion again next week.
It seems hard to believe it would expand in 2023 given the black hole in the budgets of its current clubs, the fragility of club memberships and the uncertain commercial environment moving forward.
Watson in demand
Newcastle remains confident it will retain Connor Watson but is bracing for a fight from at least two rivals — Wests Tigersand Sydney Roosters.
Knights recruitment boss Clint Zammit has stepped up talks with Watson in recent weeks and believes a deal will be done. At the same time, he is smart enough to know that other clubs are sniffing around the versatile 25-year-old.
Watson played 38 games over two seasons at the Sydney Roosters before leaving to join the Knights. Roosters boss Nick Politis and coach Trent Robinson know him well. As for the Tigers, the Knights are firmly of the belief that they will make a move for Watson once they sort out the future of Moses Mbye.
The Fisher king
Penrith has left nothing to chance as it attempts to ensure James Fisher-Harris is up to speed when he returns to the fold in just over a week.
Fisher-Harris returned to Sydney to be at the birth of his second child and is now quarantine in Brisbane with his family, including recent addition Deon.
Thanks to the Panthers, he also has a stationary bike and some weights to keep him company while in lockdown.
“They have hooked me up pretty good,” Fisher-Harris told Weekend Read.
“It was a decision I had to make and a decision I am at peace with. I hate watching games but it is just how it is. But it is good to freshen up the body and the mind, and have more family time.’’
Taylor’s price drop
Ash Taylor appears to have come to terms with the fact that is facing a massive pay cut to continue his career in the NRL next season.
Weekend Read understands he has been offered to rival clubs, including Canberra, at the cut-price of $250,000.
That is a quarter of the million dollars he is currently on at the Gold Coast Titans. The Raiders gave it some thought before rejecting the approach. Taylor has shown flashes of his best for the Titans this year but there is a sense that his time is up and a change of scene might do him good.
Keep an eye on the Brisbane Broncos, the club where he made his debut six years ago. Taylor played one game for the Broncos before moving down the highway.
At the right price, he would be a decent backup for Adam Reynolds.
readb@newsltd.com.au
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