The only bloke who I would give a 5 year deal to is Bellamy....he is consistent and the squad play for him...One answer may be to install some stability in the club, starting with the coach, and hope that a 5 year plan is enough to develop and attract talent to be able to be a top 8 (or top 4) team within the 5 years, most likely from year 3 onward. Another may be that an offer of this length of time is, in itself, enough of a lure to attract a quality coach, with the HOPE that the coach and the administration work together to develop the team. In any case, the downside is that, for a club like ours, the expectations from the fans are that within 12-18 months of the appointment, we are already playing semi final footy. Anything short of this, and we'll be back where we started from.
Whilst I can see the wisdom of a 5 year appointment (assuming it is not a media beat up) I think that it is too long. It's fine for a club that has been inconsistent in reaching the finals, and needs a coach to build what already is a competitive side, but not where the hunger for success is such that is over-rides any short-to medium term plan.
What are people's thoughts on any offer for a 5 year deal?
I wouldnt offer a rookie NRL coach or an assistant that amount of time..3 year max to see if they have it or not....
Some seasoned NRL coaches disappear into the sunset,Brown,Kearney,Flanno...each had their own style and structures with reasonable playing personnel..