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Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter 'distracted' by inaction over his future at the club
Date
July 20, 2014 - 12:56AM
Michael Carayannis
Rugby League Writer
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Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter, who thought he would have already been given a contract extension, has called the ongoing uncertainty over his job “distracting”.
Potter, whose tenure has seemed shaky ever since he took over from Tim Sheens in October 2012, also backed the club’s decision to commission Brian Smith’s report into the Tigers football operations.
With just months before his two-year deal ends, questions have again been raised over his future.
Six weeks ago a two-year contract extension seemed a formality but now he has two games to try to shore up his position before the club’s board meets on July 31.
It is understood there is a concerted push from the players for assistant coach Todd Payten to be promoted for next season.
Potter said the feeling was one of of deja vu after he survived a similar episode last year.
“It’s a little distracting,” Potter said. “But I just get on with what I do and that’s coach and prepare the guys to be the best each week and improve on last week.
“It’s probably not as intense [as last year] but I understand the game and the job when I came into it. It’s not a pleasant part of the job. I understand there are parts of the job you like and parts you don’t like.
“It hasn’t surprised but when you’re on that end of it, it’s just there and you deal with it.”
Asked when he wanted a resolution Potter replied: “Two months ago.”
Ironically, it was about that time when he seemed destined to extend his time at the club by at least a further season. But a recent run of poor form has thrown his position under question.
“It was there,” Potter said of an extension.
“I understand that the club is in a transition with their board. I have to be a little sympathetic to where we are going. We’re headed in the right direction. The game demands that you have a bit of clarity and you guys (the media) put the pressure on to make that so.”
Smith’s five-week stint at the club created headlines last week when Fairfax Media revealed the underlying feedback to the former grand final coach from various people within the Tigers was a lack of communication from the NRL coach.
Potter, who was coached by Smith at St George, said he welcomed the dialogue with Smith.
“I received some pretty good feedback,” Potter said. “There were a couple of issues we had. It was more a holistic report. It wasn’t just about myself. It was good for the club.
“I’m not going to go into details as it was a private in-house report. I speak to the players all the time. I know the players a lot better this year. I’m in a way better position to move the club forward.
“I would like to continue to do it.”
A top-eight finish last year would have triggered an automatic one-year extension for Potter to coach the side in 2015 with a pay rise. But that deal lapsed when the Tigers finished second last on the premiership ladder.
It is understood Tigers management have considered granting Potter an extension if they qualify for the finals. After a solid start they have begun to slide, sitting 10th coming into round 19 as injuries mount.
“That’s an irrelevant thing,” Potter said of the automatic extension. “We are trying to improve the club. If that’s the right thing to do and we’re improving, everything will take care of itself. I have to let it go and if it does happen, it happens.”
Tigers captain Robbie Farah said Potter seemed unaffected by the situation.
“He has been good,” Farah said. “I haven’t noticed a change in him. He is focused on his job and that’s on us making the eight. There is no player discontent.”
The players will have the chance to show how far behind the coach they are when the Tigers play Canterbury on Sunday. Potter said he had little doubt his players will rise to the occasion.
“I have not had one issue about the players responding,” Potter said. “They’ve done their best every week, which is pleasing. Whether you win or lose, it’s ultimately about giving their best and that’s what they’ve been doing”.
Potter has endured an interesting period in his coaching career. The two-time Dally M winner coached unpaid in his final season in the English Super League after Bradford went into receivership before he joined linking the Tigers.
“The situations aren’t similar at all,” Potter said.
“This club is stable and moving forward and there’s a lot of light at the end of the tunnel for the Tigers. It was pretty dour at Bradford. What it did give me was an appreciation of why you coach and that’s because you enjoy it. Although there are some things you don’t enjoy there is a lot more you do enjoy.”
Date
July 20, 2014 - 12:56AM
Michael Carayannis
Rugby League Writer
\
\
Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter, who thought he would have already been given a contract extension, has called the ongoing uncertainty over his job “distracting”.
Potter, whose tenure has seemed shaky ever since he took over from Tim Sheens in October 2012, also backed the club’s decision to commission Brian Smith’s report into the Tigers football operations.
With just months before his two-year deal ends, questions have again been raised over his future.
Six weeks ago a two-year contract extension seemed a formality but now he has two games to try to shore up his position before the club’s board meets on July 31.
It is understood there is a concerted push from the players for assistant coach Todd Payten to be promoted for next season.
Potter said the feeling was one of of deja vu after he survived a similar episode last year.
“It’s a little distracting,” Potter said. “But I just get on with what I do and that’s coach and prepare the guys to be the best each week and improve on last week.
“It’s probably not as intense [as last year] but I understand the game and the job when I came into it. It’s not a pleasant part of the job. I understand there are parts of the job you like and parts you don’t like.
“It hasn’t surprised but when you’re on that end of it, it’s just there and you deal with it.”
Asked when he wanted a resolution Potter replied: “Two months ago.”
Ironically, it was about that time when he seemed destined to extend his time at the club by at least a further season. But a recent run of poor form has thrown his position under question.
“It was there,” Potter said of an extension.
“I understand that the club is in a transition with their board. I have to be a little sympathetic to where we are going. We’re headed in the right direction. The game demands that you have a bit of clarity and you guys (the media) put the pressure on to make that so.”
Smith’s five-week stint at the club created headlines last week when Fairfax Media revealed the underlying feedback to the former grand final coach from various people within the Tigers was a lack of communication from the NRL coach.
Potter, who was coached by Smith at St George, said he welcomed the dialogue with Smith.
“I received some pretty good feedback,” Potter said. “There were a couple of issues we had. It was more a holistic report. It wasn’t just about myself. It was good for the club.
“I’m not going to go into details as it was a private in-house report. I speak to the players all the time. I know the players a lot better this year. I’m in a way better position to move the club forward.
“I would like to continue to do it.”
A top-eight finish last year would have triggered an automatic one-year extension for Potter to coach the side in 2015 with a pay rise. But that deal lapsed when the Tigers finished second last on the premiership ladder.
It is understood Tigers management have considered granting Potter an extension if they qualify for the finals. After a solid start they have begun to slide, sitting 10th coming into round 19 as injuries mount.
“That’s an irrelevant thing,” Potter said of the automatic extension. “We are trying to improve the club. If that’s the right thing to do and we’re improving, everything will take care of itself. I have to let it go and if it does happen, it happens.”
Tigers captain Robbie Farah said Potter seemed unaffected by the situation.
“He has been good,” Farah said. “I haven’t noticed a change in him. He is focused on his job and that’s on us making the eight. There is no player discontent.”
The players will have the chance to show how far behind the coach they are when the Tigers play Canterbury on Sunday. Potter said he had little doubt his players will rise to the occasion.
“I have not had one issue about the players responding,” Potter said. “They’ve done their best every week, which is pleasing. Whether you win or lose, it’s ultimately about giving their best and that’s what they’ve been doing”.
Potter has endured an interesting period in his coaching career. The two-time Dally M winner coached unpaid in his final season in the English Super League after Bradford went into receivership before he joined linking the Tigers.
“The situations aren’t similar at all,” Potter said.
“This club is stable and moving forward and there’s a lot of light at the end of the tunnel for the Tigers. It was pretty dour at Bradford. What it did give me was an appreciation of why you coach and that’s because you enjoy it. Although there are some things you don’t enjoy there is a lot more you do enjoy.”
