weststigers4life
Active member
Story by Phil Rothfield Sunday Telegraph FORMER Dragons coach Nathan Brown and NSW Blues assistant coach Matt Parish have emerged as dark horses to replace embattled Tim Sheens at the Wests Tigers next year.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal their names were openly discussed among board members last week as doubts remain about Sheens' future.
Brown recently signed a contract with English giants St Helens and Parish, who is Geoff Toovey's assistant at Manly, had been tipped to join Ricky Stuart on Parramatta's coaching staff next year.
All this could change if the Tigers decide to make a move.
There is no way Stuart would hold Parish to his agreement at Parramatta if there was a first-grade job available.
Brown is back in Sydney for a short holiday with his family but could not be contacted yesterday.
He has always wanted to return to the NRL if the right job was available.
Sheens insists he has a rock-solid contract for another two years which has no performance clauses.
Still, it didn't stop him from walking into chief executive Stephen Humphreys' office during the week for some spirited talks.
The Sunday Telegraph understands Sheens even offered to stand down, provided he was paid out. He has made the finals only three times in 15 years, although his side is always competitive.
There is also talk of the New Zealand Warriors being interested in the Test coach.
However, a move to Auckland would almost certainly force him to give up the Kangaroos job.
Interestingly, NRL clubs are now turning towards the untried rookie coaches following the success of Michael Maguire at the Rabbitohs and Geoff Toovey at Manly.
Of the first-year coaches, only Steve Price at the Dragons missed the play-offs.
When was the last time the three most experienced coaches, Wayne Bennett, Brian Smith and Sheens all missed the finals in the same year?
I can't recall it happening.
It's why the Sydney Roosters have taken a punt on Trent Robinson, a virtually unknown assistant coach at Bondi Junction when the club made the grand final in 2010.
Robinson is highly regarded among the players and was named coach of the year in the UK Super League.
Robinson signed a three-year deal, ending speculation Craig Bellamy would join the Roosters.
\
\
_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal their names were openly discussed among board members last week as doubts remain about Sheens' future.
Brown recently signed a contract with English giants St Helens and Parish, who is Geoff Toovey's assistant at Manly, had been tipped to join Ricky Stuart on Parramatta's coaching staff next year.
All this could change if the Tigers decide to make a move.
There is no way Stuart would hold Parish to his agreement at Parramatta if there was a first-grade job available.
Brown is back in Sydney for a short holiday with his family but could not be contacted yesterday.
He has always wanted to return to the NRL if the right job was available.
Sheens insists he has a rock-solid contract for another two years which has no performance clauses.
Still, it didn't stop him from walking into chief executive Stephen Humphreys' office during the week for some spirited talks.
The Sunday Telegraph understands Sheens even offered to stand down, provided he was paid out. He has made the finals only three times in 15 years, although his side is always competitive.
There is also talk of the New Zealand Warriors being interested in the Test coach.
However, a move to Auckland would almost certainly force him to give up the Kangaroos job.
Interestingly, NRL clubs are now turning towards the untried rookie coaches following the success of Michael Maguire at the Rabbitohs and Geoff Toovey at Manly.
Of the first-year coaches, only Steve Price at the Dragons missed the play-offs.
When was the last time the three most experienced coaches, Wayne Bennett, Brian Smith and Sheens all missed the finals in the same year?
I can't recall it happening.
It's why the Sydney Roosters have taken a punt on Trent Robinson, a virtually unknown assistant coach at Bondi Junction when the club made the grand final in 2010.
Robinson is highly regarded among the players and was named coach of the year in the UK Super League.
Robinson signed a three-year deal, ending speculation Craig Bellamy would join the Roosters.
\
\
_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_
