2027 Coaches Discussions

[Chunk]

Crawley is an experienced appointment so I’m hoping he’s able to put some helpful structures in place but he’s got his work cut out for him considering we only had a part time NSW Cup coach in 2026.

Yeah this is good, we need someone with experience.

And Carr as well good appointments

 

[Chunk]

Carr is an attack coach so we get him to do defence, FFS

Is he though?

I think he has an overall grasp of the game and he seems like the sort of bloke that'll be good for defence.

He can develop the structure he wants and then instill some steel and attitude, the sort of bloke that will be able to flog 'em on the training field until they get it right.

 

[Demps]

Fresh eyes, outside the circle.
Sounds like some good moves.

We will see.

 

[innsaneink]

Is that for wests or Balmain?

Doesnt specify but i assume Balmain

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Fresh eyes, outside the circle.
Sounds like some good moves.

We will see.

I don’t mind the new additions at least they aren’t apart of the mates club and actually have experience.

 

[Tiger_heart]

Uhm...they are also 2 coaches that are unlikely to challenge Benji for the top job...I would have preferred different, but as mentioned, we'll see. TBH I don't quite get what their role is, and how they "shape" the head coach thinking, in the pre-season, and during the season.

 

[Odessa]

Less 360 bashing hallelujah

Or more

 

[davey_farrell]

I don’t mind the new additions at least they aren’t apart of the mates club and actually have experience.

Exactly!!!!

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Thought the Dragons were kind of decent at the back end of last year. Don't know what role Carr played in that but hopefully he will have a positive impact here.

 

[gallagher]

Well we needed changes so at the least they acknowledged that. Good luck to them

 

[Tomatosoup912]

Carr is an attack coach so we get him to do defence, FFS

How is he an “attack coach”?

He replaced David Kidwell at parramatta as an assistant coach. Kidwell was the defence coach and has been nothing but a defence coach in rugby union after leaving parramatta. Fair assumption is that he took over that portfolio. During Carrs time as assistant Parra went 16-8.

He has been the head coach of:
Mounties
Rovers
Parra NSW cup
St George Dragons(interim)
Castleford Tigers

He has only been an attack coach for 18 months at the Dragons. But yes let’s assume some random punter could spot the significant issues in his coaching skill set that could not be identified by the recruitment process and haven’t come to light in a 10+ years in professional coaching positions.

 

[Lestronge]

Look I don’t mind Crawley being appointed, he’s been around the game for a long time and worked under some great coaches.

But the club cannot make decisions based on what will run well with the media. That’s what got us into the Benji/Sheens mess we’re in.

Nah I think you’re over reading it . I’d say it’s a buy product , not a variable considered. He’s got a fair resume for the gig .

 

[Lestronge]

The defense especially close to the line , general concepts didn’t work . Whether that’s the system or low IQ players who knows . But after what 2-3 years , it was all falling on deaf ears . Say what you will , but most dragons teams have a strong foundation in defence .
He should do us well I reckon .

 

[Pringle Gold]

Nah I think you’re over reading it . I’d say it’s a buy product , not a variable considered. He’s got a fair resume for the gig .

I agree with you there. I was more making the point that Tigers shouldn’t consider media in their decision making processes because they have before and it’s led us to two more wooden spoons.

 

[innsaneink]

I agree with you there. I was more making the point that Tigers shouldn’t consider media in their decision making processes because they have before and it’s led us to two more wooden spoons.

Thats just you puttin 2 and 2 together and getting 5

Whats the previous issues youre mentioning?

 

[Pringle Gold]

Thats just you puttin 2 and 2 together and getting 5

Whats the previous issues youre mentioning?

The Benji Marshall/Sheens plan.

I wasn’t saying that’s what the club did with the Crawley appointment. I was making a comment saying that media shouldn’t factor into the decision making process because the club had done that before with Benji and Sheens and look where it’s led us.

 

[Halbrowne61]

How is he an “attack coach”?

He replaced David Kidwell at parramatta as an assistant coach. Kidwell was the defence coach and has been nothing but a defence coach in rugby union after leaving parramatta. Fair assumption is that he took over that portfolio. During Carrs time as assistant Parra went 16-8.

He has been the head coach of:
Mounties
Rovers
Parra NSW cup
St George Dragons(interim)
Castleford Tigers

He has only been an attack coach for 18 months at the Dragons. But yes let’s assume some random punter could spot the significant issues in his coaching skill set that could not be identified by the recruitment process and haven’t come to light in a 10+ years in professional coaching positions.

Attack, defence, I don’t care as long he can make positive contributions to the team structure and systems ( and that Benji allows him to call out situations that need attention ). I wish them both well and hope we are saying good things as the season progresses !