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MARK Geyer as called for NRL clubs with departing coaches to “cut the cord” and move on or risk a “wasted season”
It may be the first day of the pre-season for some clubs but they risk derailing their whole season according to the Penrith legend.
Speaking on Triple M’s The Rush Hour, Geyer called out Wayne Bennett after reports the Brisbane mentor, who is set to go to South Sydney in 2020, is already recruiting players.
The Australian’s Brent Read tweeted on Thursday the Rabbitohs have reached out to Merrin under the instruction of Bennett.
It was reported last week Penrith was prepared to grant Merrin a release from his contract before the start of the 2019 NRL season following reports Leeds Rhinos had offered a rich four-year deal.
With the proposal set to see Merrin at South Sydney from next season, Geyer cast doubt on the whether Bennett should be allowed to move players to a club he’s not yet at.
Geyer said it’s setting a dangerous precedent and warned the clubs who have trouble cutting their coaches free.
“I don’t even think he can now, to be honest,” he said.
“If you’re coaching 12 months out from a team that you’re going to be playing against the next year, you’re looking about their roster, not your own.
“Manly and Brisbane in particular, the longer you delay cutting their losses and paying out the coaches in question — Trent Barrett and Wayne Bennett — the more your club is being derailed with uncertainty.
“Cut the cord, let them go. Cut your losses. Half a million there, half a million here — what price is security? And what price going forward with a spring in your step? When you’ve got this lingering elephant in the room constantly while your season is playing out.
“You don’t want a wasted season because you didn’t make a decision at the start of the year to swap a coach. Because your fans won’t forgive you and nor should they.”
It comes after reports neither of the two coaches on Manly’s books, Trent Barrett or Des Hasler, turned up on the first day of pre-season.
“What are Manly players thinking, Brisbane and the Penns (Manly owners), give Trent what he wants, give Wayne what he wants and give the fans what they want,” Geyer said.
MAGUIRE NOT THE THIRD CHOICE
The departure of Ivan Cleary was disappointing but Wests Tigers boss Justin Pascoe said the club has the right man for the job.
Speaking to 9 News’ Danny Weidler, Pascoe said Maguire was the best man for the job.
Despite being accused of wearing out his players when he was fired from the head coaching role of the Rabbitohs, Pascoe said Maguire badured him he had learned his lesson.
“Wayne wasn’t out first pick, there was Wayne and Michael as really high candidates and we had identified both and Michael through our conversations really rose to the top,” Pascoe said.
“Part of the discussion and interview process was about that (wearing players out). You hear things and want to understand whether any of that was true but there were learnings and he indicated he had some significant learnings.”
The Tigers boss said it was disappointing to lose Ivan Cleary, who was released on Sunday so he could take up a five-year deal at the Penrith Panthers and coach his son Nathan.
Cleary sent a message to Tigers players on Saturday to confirm the move.
Originally signing a four-year deal with the Tigers in 2017, Cleary lasted just two before signing a five-year deal with the Panthers.
“I think fans and us as a club have a right to be disappointed in the outcome when you commit to a contract for nearly four years,” Pascoe said.
“(The players) they’re disappointed in the outcome, and how it was handled at times but they’re entrusting what we do as a club, they’re here for the club, it’s not just about the coach.”
With Luke Brooks off-contract as well, Pascoe expressed his desire to keep the halfback at the club, going further and saying they want to build the club around the 23-year-old.
“I don’t control what he’s thinking, we as a club can only do what we’re doing which is putting our best foot forward to retain Luke and hopefully it turns in our favour.”
CARNEY SIGNS WITH UNEXPECTED CLUB
Todd Carney has given up his dream of a return to the NRL and will link with the Byron Bay Red Devils as captain-coach.
The 32-year-old left the Cronulla Sharks in 2014 following the infamous “bubbler” photo before going to England.
He returned last year and played for the Northern Pride in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup and was approved to train with the North Queensland Cowboys.
But it was short-lived after his mother was diagnosed with bad cancer diagnosis.
Carney, who has had a career littered with off-field incidents since his NRL debut with the Canberra Raiders in 2004, said he was looking forward to giving back.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for me to put something back into the game and I’m looking forward to it,” Carney told Wide World of Sports.
“I would have loved to play on in the NRL but then this chance came up and I decided to take it.”
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