http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/persistent-potter-puts-stamp-on-tigers-job-20130914-2trgo.html?rand=1379151161475
After his coaching career was supposedly on a razor's edge a fortnight ago, Mick Potter is expected to receive the ultimate vote of confidence on Monday when his Wests Tigers support staff for next year is officially announced.
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Todd Payten, the former Wests Tigers forward who coached the under-20s this season, and David Kidwell, the former Kiwi international, are expected to headline Potter's new-look staff.
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However, after Potter's position was rumoured to be under serious threat a few weeks ago, Wests Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer said his ''no excuses'' approach to a challenging season - which was frustrated by a high injury toll and the dramatic slump in form by rugby-bound Benji Marshall - spoke volumes for the coach's character.
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''There was a structural review a few weeks ago and it basically said Potter [and Mayer] would now move ahead populating that structure,'' Mayer said.
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''On Friday afternoon, we finalised the senior piece of the puzzle so, come Monday, I expect to send a release in regards to the senior coaching structure and you'll see some existing people have moved up and some who have come in.''
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Potter, who replaced Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens at the Wests Tigers, is contracted to the joint-venture club until the end of next year, and would be under no illusion the club's board - and success-starved supporters - will demand results next season.
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''He, like every other coach off contract next year, would know the board and everyone will be looking at him after eight or 10 weeks, as is the normal case,'' Mayer said.
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''But at least he can be judged on: one, his own recruitment and, two, his own staff. That'll be the best thing for him and we're all looking forward to it.''
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Potter has recruited players such as Penrith's Blake Austin, earmarked as a contender to fill the No.6 jersey vacated by Marshall, Bulldogs forward Martin Taupau and former Wests Tigers players Dene Halatau (Canterbury) and Pat Richards (Wigan), who played in the club's triumphant 2005 grand final team.
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Potter also proved he was prepared to make a stand when he thought it was necessary, dropping Marshall to the bench because of discipline issues when he violated the club's code that forbids injured players from drinking alcohol.
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While the move was criticised by some factions in the merged club, and by some commentators and fans, Potter proved he possessed the mettle to make a tough decision.
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Potter also helped improve the form of high-priced Melbourne Storm recruit Adam Blair - who had been lambasted for playing below expectations - when he made it clear, amid speculation the Kiwi international was about to be released from his $500,000-a-year deal to join Parramatta, that he wouldn't allow him to leave because he was too valuable to the team.
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/persistent-potter-puts-stamp-on-tigers-job-20130914-2trgo.html#ixzz2erTtEo9x
After his coaching career was supposedly on a razor's edge a fortnight ago, Mick Potter is expected to receive the ultimate vote of confidence on Monday when his Wests Tigers support staff for next year is officially announced.
>
Todd Payten, the former Wests Tigers forward who coached the under-20s this season, and David Kidwell, the former Kiwi international, are expected to headline Potter's new-look staff.
>
However, after Potter's position was rumoured to be under serious threat a few weeks ago, Wests Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer said his ''no excuses'' approach to a challenging season - which was frustrated by a high injury toll and the dramatic slump in form by rugby-bound Benji Marshall - spoke volumes for the coach's character.
>
''There was a structural review a few weeks ago and it basically said Potter [and Mayer] would now move ahead populating that structure,'' Mayer said.
Advertisement
>
''On Friday afternoon, we finalised the senior piece of the puzzle so, come Monday, I expect to send a release in regards to the senior coaching structure and you'll see some existing people have moved up and some who have come in.''
>
Potter, who replaced Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens at the Wests Tigers, is contracted to the joint-venture club until the end of next year, and would be under no illusion the club's board - and success-starved supporters - will demand results next season.
>
''He, like every other coach off contract next year, would know the board and everyone will be looking at him after eight or 10 weeks, as is the normal case,'' Mayer said.
>
''But at least he can be judged on: one, his own recruitment and, two, his own staff. That'll be the best thing for him and we're all looking forward to it.''
>
Potter has recruited players such as Penrith's Blake Austin, earmarked as a contender to fill the No.6 jersey vacated by Marshall, Bulldogs forward Martin Taupau and former Wests Tigers players Dene Halatau (Canterbury) and Pat Richards (Wigan), who played in the club's triumphant 2005 grand final team.
>
Potter also proved he was prepared to make a stand when he thought it was necessary, dropping Marshall to the bench because of discipline issues when he violated the club's code that forbids injured players from drinking alcohol.
>
While the move was criticised by some factions in the merged club, and by some commentators and fans, Potter proved he possessed the mettle to make a tough decision.
>
Potter also helped improve the form of high-priced Melbourne Storm recruit Adam Blair - who had been lambasted for playing below expectations - when he made it clear, amid speculation the Kiwi international was about to be released from his $500,000-a-year deal to join Parramatta, that he wouldn't allow him to leave because he was too valuable to the team.
>
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/persistent-potter-puts-stamp-on-tigers-job-20130914-2trgo.html#ixzz2erTtEo9x
