Bulldogs Bite: Laurie Daley to shed affable image to become hard-nosed NSW Blues leader

Known universally as being a bloody good bloke, NSW coach Laurie Daley is set to unleash a no-nonsense, harder edge than his previous stint at the Blues, writes DEAN RITCHIE.

No more Mr Nice Guy...NSW Blues players and fans can expect to see a different Laurie Daley this time. Picture: Richard Dobson

No more Mr Nice Guy – this will be Laurie Daley like you’ve never seen before.

NSW players, fans and media can expect new coach Daley to have a no-nonsense, harder edge than during his previous stint as Blues coach between 2013 and 2017.

He will be uncompromising and firm – traits not usually associated with the normally affable Daley.

Daley will do it his way this time around.

Cryptically, on the Big Sports Breakfast radio show, Daley said: “There will be a difference between this time and last time, put it that way.”

Asked to further explain, Daley said: “You’ll have to find out.”

Daley has already shown this by overlooking NSW legend James Tedesco for a pre-season meeting in early February.

The old Daley, perhaps being sentimental, would most certainly have invited Tedesco.

Not anymore.

No more Mr Nice Guy...NSW Blues players and fans can expect to see a different Laurie Daley this time. Picture: Richard Dobson

I’ve known Daley professionally, personally and socially for nearly 35 years and, believe me, he has a side we rarely see.

Daley’s new side won’t be forced but he will be stricter and unbending.

He is known universally as being a bloody good bloke – the lad from Junee who is nice, kind and makes time for everyone.

But there is a tougher interior bubbling beneath the pleasant exterior. I’ve seen it first-hand and players are about to be hit between the eyes with it.

Daley hasn’t said anything nor indicated he will change – but I can sense it.

Don’t get me wrong, Daley will never be rude or offhand. It’s not in his nature. He just won’t buckle anymore to appease everyone. If he makes enemies, so be it.

NSW benefited from a hard-nosed Michael Maguire last year and now it’s Daley’s turn.

Daley’s great strength can also be his greatest weakness — loyalty. Players expecting to be picked through loyalty will be left shocked and overlooked.

Close friends say he could even be more like his old Raiders halfback mate, Ricky Stuart, who is notoriously tough-minded.

Daley has vowed things will be different from his previous stint as NSW coach between 2013 and 2017. Picture: AAP

Daley has to learn to say no people. For too long, he has agreed to all kinds of requests. Not anymore.

It can be confronting when someone you know – and millions of footy fans have grown up with Daley in their lives – suddenly changes.

“Laurie is still Laurie and he would never try to be anything other than himself, but everyone is a product of their life experiences and smart people like Laurie learn and develop from those experiences,” said NSWRL chief executive David Trodden.

“The 2025 version of Laurie brings the learnings from his previous coaching experiences and that can only be a good thing for our state.”

Daley has spent time with All Blacks coach Scott Robertson and former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold as he prepares for this year’s series. He asked questions about how the pair approached big games.

Perhaps Daley was sacked last time because he was too agreeable and true-hearted.

Well, strap yourself in, because that won’t be happening again.

WHY WESTS BRUSHED VEGAS

The bright lights and glamour of Las Vegas clearly do not dazzle Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson.

On a day when Parramatta officially joined Canterbury and St George Illawarra as Las Vegas candidates for 2026, Richardson offered a terse rejection when asked whether his club wanted inclusion in next year’s American adventure.

This masthead could only manage three one word answers via text message when questioning the Wests Tigers boss about Vegas next season.

Do Wests Tigers have a desire to head over in 2026?

No.

No desire at all?

No.

Succinct answer. Can you elaborate?

No.

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson is adamant the club has no interest in being included in the Las Vegas opener for 2026. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Richardson has previously shown little interest in Las Vegas, telling the AFR last year: “Las Vegas was a f…ing disaster, and it was a party trip for everybody. I don’t want to go.”

The Eels have now expressed their hunger for the USA after reports emerged that Saints and Canterbury were also keen.

“We are interested in Las Vegas in 2026 and are keen to understand what this looks like for our members, sponsors and fans,” said Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos.

“We know that they would travel in big numbers to Vegas so we look forward to engaging with the NRL in the coming weeks.”

Should all be successful, the fourth spot would likely be a Queensland team, probably North Queensland. The Eels, Bulldogs and Dragons have large supporter bases who would all but guarantee a huge crowd for the NRL’s third year of a five-season Vegas extravaganza.

Canterbury general manager Phil Gould has flown to Vegas for this year’s event. The Dragons and Bulldogs, old rivals, have spoken about playing each other in round one next year. Like Parramatta, Canterbury and St George Illawarra will hold talks with the NRL in coming weeks.

DOG TREATS

Big Noel ‘Crusher’ Cleal has undergone surgery for a toe injury he sustained while pig chasing 30 years ago.

When Cleal suffered the injury, a couple of close mates decided to straighten the bent toe with, wait for it, fence pliers.

Now, three decades later, the old toe needs some medical repairs and Cleal left his northern NSW property this week for an operation in Sydney.

“Now I can finally wear thongs after 30 years,” Cleal said. “And it proves once and for all, you should never try to mend a toe injury with old fence pliers.”

Cleal is new Wauchope Blues president in group three.

After 30-years, Noel ‘Crusher’ Cleal has finally had a toe injury fixed.

Cleal’s foot post operation.

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Former INXS bassist and mad Sea Eagles fan Garry Gary Beers will return to Australia early next month and has been invited to tour Manly’s Centre of Excellence by club CEO Tony Mestrov.

“I’ll definitely be catching up with the boys,” said Beers, who grew up on Sydney’s northern beaches and met Manly players during last year’s Vegas adventure.

Los Angeles-based Beers is coming home with his band, Ashenmoon, who will play concerts in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

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Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz continues his rehabilitation from a hip injury. Some close to Kiraz say the injury may be a touch worse than first thought.

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A little nugget of news slipped through to the wicketkeeper this week when NRL legend Cam Smith visited PNG. While in Port Moresby, Smith became the first person to express a desire to help the new NRL franchise.

“If there was an opportunity, there’s certainly no doubt that I would have a discussion about it,” Smith told the local media.

Cameron Smith has expressed an interest in helping the new NRL franchise in PNG. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“It’s a conversation I have to have with Andrew (Hill, PNG bid CEO) and it would have to fit in with my own personal and work commitments with commentary, but the one thing I have really enjoyed post playing career is giving back to rugby league, whether it be at a junior or development level or mentoring aspiring rugby league players.

“You don’t just join a competition to make up the numbers, you want to be competitive.”

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Former Norths and Bulldogs sharpshooter Daryl Halligan will be used once again this year as NSW’s State of Origin goal kicking coach. Ex-grand final referee Greg McCallum has been awarded life membership of the NSWRL.