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Rookie NRL coach Mick Potter can turn the struggling Wests Tigers around if he is given enough time, writes Michael Carayannis
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He has lost his star player and his own future remains uncertain but Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter is adamant good times are coming for the Tigers; he just wants to be part of it.
Despite having a season to run on his contract, speculation is rife the Tigers could be on the lookout for their third coach in as many years as they sit in 15th on the premiership ladder with a 6-12 record. In a wide-ranging interview, Potter spoke about his future, Benji Marshall and the budding superstars who are coming through the Tigers ranks.
His future
Potter is contracted until the end of next season. Speculation has Trent Barrett linked to the role. Potter said he had not been given any assurances. "It's not nice to hear but that's just the facts of life of being an NRL coach," Potter said. "You hear these things and you get told about them. I just do what I think is right. The team is on its way up - I know we can't go further down but there are bright signs for us. [The only assurance I have is that] I've got a contract. I think the people who matter are over it and just roll their eyes when they read [the rumours] in the paper. I'm confident that everything is right here and as far as the people who make the decisions."
Benji Marshall
Marshall spent time in Auckland on Friday as he closes in on a switch of codes. "Benji has to look after his future," Potter said. "His training finished at 2pm on Wednesday, so I'm comfortable with him flying wherever he likes on his days off. I hope something comes out of it for him. I think it's a fact of life, that's what you have to do. Call it a distraction, it might not or it might be, but I don't begrudge him doing it. I'm really disappointed Benji has decided to move on, but on the flipside it has given us an opportunity to secure some young talent coming through. Benji has been one of the icons or legends of the Wests Tigers and has made the brand what it is. He has been trying his best."
Halves futures
Potter wants to play Luke Brooks in the NRL at some stage this year. The NRL said it was yet to receive an application from the club, which is battling second-tier salary-cap problems. Potter said Brooks and Braith Anasta would be the likely halves pairing next year when Curtis Sironen switches to the forwards. "I think [Brooks] is nearly ready," Potter said. "Curtis hasn't had an off-season in the gym yet because he has two 'recos' on his shoulder. Given he is well over 100 kilos and he is only 19 years old, he is probably going to head [into the forwards]. It's good that kids of his age have good skill, but it does not necessarily mean they are going to stay in six or seven their whole career, but those skills can come out in another way. I don't mind if he chips and chases as long as he does the practice."
Coaching pressure
After a decorated playing career, he had support coaching roles at Bradford and St George Illawarra. He had six successful years in the English Super League with the Catalans Dragons, St Helens and Bradford before switching to the Tigers to replace Tim Sheens this year. "I knew coaching was difficult and it was probably one of the reasons why, when I finished playing, that I was reluctant to take on a coaching role, but it has sort of evolved," Potter said. "I knew what I was in for, I knew what was coming. I knew I wasn't going to please everyone."
Seeking assistance
Potter revealed he has sought advice from his former first-grade coaches Brian Smith and ex-Newcastle and Dragons mentor David Waite - who helped Potter secure his first head coaching job in France. "They are guys I know and I trust. They've had some influence on my career.''
The rest of the season
The Tigers have a tough run home, playing against ladder leaders Sydney Roosters and South Sydney. Potter said they wanted to salvage some pride out of the rest of this year before focusing on next season. "We try and win as many games as we can," Potter said. "Build a little bit of confidence heading into pre-season. Get ready to start afresh. The season for us isn't over. We have a little bit to prove and prove that we can be a good team, that we can play some winning rugby league. The guys want to come off the field with a smile on their face. You can only come off the field with a smile on your face if you're winning."
Twitter - @MCarayannis
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/potters-order-of-the-phoenix-20130803-2r62w.html#ixzz2awfV3vS3
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He has lost his star player and his own future remains uncertain but Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter is adamant good times are coming for the Tigers; he just wants to be part of it.
Despite having a season to run on his contract, speculation is rife the Tigers could be on the lookout for their third coach in as many years as they sit in 15th on the premiership ladder with a 6-12 record. In a wide-ranging interview, Potter spoke about his future, Benji Marshall and the budding superstars who are coming through the Tigers ranks.
His future
Potter is contracted until the end of next season. Speculation has Trent Barrett linked to the role. Potter said he had not been given any assurances. "It's not nice to hear but that's just the facts of life of being an NRL coach," Potter said. "You hear these things and you get told about them. I just do what I think is right. The team is on its way up - I know we can't go further down but there are bright signs for us. [The only assurance I have is that] I've got a contract. I think the people who matter are over it and just roll their eyes when they read [the rumours] in the paper. I'm confident that everything is right here and as far as the people who make the decisions."
Benji Marshall
Marshall spent time in Auckland on Friday as he closes in on a switch of codes. "Benji has to look after his future," Potter said. "His training finished at 2pm on Wednesday, so I'm comfortable with him flying wherever he likes on his days off. I hope something comes out of it for him. I think it's a fact of life, that's what you have to do. Call it a distraction, it might not or it might be, but I don't begrudge him doing it. I'm really disappointed Benji has decided to move on, but on the flipside it has given us an opportunity to secure some young talent coming through. Benji has been one of the icons or legends of the Wests Tigers and has made the brand what it is. He has been trying his best."
Halves futures
Potter wants to play Luke Brooks in the NRL at some stage this year. The NRL said it was yet to receive an application from the club, which is battling second-tier salary-cap problems. Potter said Brooks and Braith Anasta would be the likely halves pairing next year when Curtis Sironen switches to the forwards. "I think [Brooks] is nearly ready," Potter said. "Curtis hasn't had an off-season in the gym yet because he has two 'recos' on his shoulder. Given he is well over 100 kilos and he is only 19 years old, he is probably going to head [into the forwards]. It's good that kids of his age have good skill, but it does not necessarily mean they are going to stay in six or seven their whole career, but those skills can come out in another way. I don't mind if he chips and chases as long as he does the practice."
Coaching pressure
After a decorated playing career, he had support coaching roles at Bradford and St George Illawarra. He had six successful years in the English Super League with the Catalans Dragons, St Helens and Bradford before switching to the Tigers to replace Tim Sheens this year. "I knew coaching was difficult and it was probably one of the reasons why, when I finished playing, that I was reluctant to take on a coaching role, but it has sort of evolved," Potter said. "I knew what I was in for, I knew what was coming. I knew I wasn't going to please everyone."
Seeking assistance
Potter revealed he has sought advice from his former first-grade coaches Brian Smith and ex-Newcastle and Dragons mentor David Waite - who helped Potter secure his first head coaching job in France. "They are guys I know and I trust. They've had some influence on my career.''
The rest of the season
The Tigers have a tough run home, playing against ladder leaders Sydney Roosters and South Sydney. Potter said they wanted to salvage some pride out of the rest of this year before focusing on next season. "We try and win as many games as we can," Potter said. "Build a little bit of confidence heading into pre-season. Get ready to start afresh. The season for us isn't over. We have a little bit to prove and prove that we can be a good team, that we can play some winning rugby league. The guys want to come off the field with a smile on their face. You can only come off the field with a smile on your face if you're winning."
Twitter - @MCarayannis
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/potters-order-of-the-phoenix-20130803-2r62w.html#ixzz2awfV3vS3
