Tigers manager Michael Maguire has dismissed speculation he may consider a switch to join Canterbury in 2023.
Center Brent Naden will move from Canterbury training on Monday morning to face the Bulldogs on Friday night as a mid-season NRL signing for the Wests Tigers, but the coach is not interested in heading into the another direction next year now that the Bulldogs are looking for a replacement after the abrupt departure of Trent Barrett.
Instead, Maguire is solely focused on turning around the Tigers’ rocky start as they sit above Canterbury on the ladder after 10 rounds.
And he hopes Naden can be part of it. The first man to leave Canterbury after Trent Barrett resigned as manager, Naden’ can give the Tigers some punching power after being named at No.21 on Tuesday.
The Tigers have one more spot on their roster for 2022, but Maguire wouldn’t go into speculation over whether former Penrith and Bulldogs player Jack Hetherington would follow Naden.
Maguire is out of contract at the end of this year, and is far from assured of an extension with the Tigers after struggling to keep his job at the end of last season.
The Tigers are 2-8 and desperate for a win on Friday night, with Luke Brooks out for up to four weeks with a hamstring injury and Adam Doueihi also not due back until Round 14.
But Maguire laughed off questions about whether he was looking at the Bulldogs’ work for next year.
“My name has come up for a lot of things over the last six or 12 months,” Maguire said. “It’s the world of rugby league. But we have a big game tomorrow night… I’m really focused on the squad we have at the moment.
“I really enjoyed the coaching with the attitude of the players. Although we didn’t manage to get the results we would have liked, the players’ struggle for the shirt and everyone around the club (is commendable) The foundation is there to propel us where we want to go.
Pressed on whether he had spoken to his management since Barrett’s exit, Maguire said he had not discussed the Canterbury situation. “No, my eyes are on my players right now,” he said.
“It’s a very important game for us. I’ve seen a real change in this playgroup in the way they do things. Everyone wants a result, but how they build the foundation for how we play.
Dolphins team up with PNG
The Papua New Guinea Hunters have formed an alliance with new NRL team the Dolphins, providing a pathway for their young players.
With the Dolphins joining the NRL in 2023, four PNG players will be invited to their pre-season training, two of whom will stay on all year to lobby for NRL selection.
While the Queensland Cup club are based in Port Moresby, the Hunters have relocated to the Gold Coast over the past two years due to COVID-19.
PNG league boss Scott Barker said the partnership was a huge opportunity to develop Papua New Guinea.
“We know there is a wealth of talent and potential in rugby league in Papua New Guinea, and this is the next step in our mission to bring that talent to the NRL,” Barker said.
A number of NRL stars have roots in PNG and have represented the Kumuls in recent seasons, including Storm pair Justin Olam and Xavier Coates, Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston, Roosters half-back Lachlan Lam and Broncos guard David Mead.
Dolphins general manager Terry Reader said his club, including coach Wayne Bennett, want the club to play a major role in their development.
“Through previous visits to the country, we understand how passionate the whole nation of Papua New Guinea is about the game of rugby league,” Reader said. “Our head coach Wayne Bennett has long admired the unique talent of the Papua New Guinea players and the way they approach the game.
“We are very pleased to offer a player development pathway that will open up opportunities for players in this country to succeed at the highest level of the game.”
(Photo by Getty Images)
Turbo blames himself for Manly’s struggles
Star full-back Tom Trbojevic took the blame for Manly’s lackluster start to the season saying he hasn’t been good enough.
After a first month without a win, Trbojevic led the Sea Eagles to the qualifying grand final last year, but this year he hasn’t had the same impact after being hampered by a knee injury.
Trbojevic disregards last year’s Dally M medal form when analyzing his efforts in 2022 and simply said he needed to up his game.
“I haven’t been good enough this year and I have to find ways to fix it.
“I don’t feel that performances are analyzed as much. I wouldn’t say it affects me but you know it’s there. It’s part of the game. I played good football last year and that’s what comes out of it.
“If you want to succeed, you have to beat the best teams. We haven’t been able to do that this year and we have to find a way to be more competitive against these teams and win football games.
The Sea Eagles suffered a 38-0 flogging of the Broncos last week to fall to a record 5-5 and ninth place as they are yet to win a game in their five outings against the eight first opponents ahead of Saturday night’s clash at CommBank Stadium with sixth-placed Parramatta.
Joey talks to Bellamy about his retirement
Melbourne have Andrew Johns to thank for signing Craig Bellamy for another season, with the head coach claiming the former NRL star persuaded him to stay.
Bellamy announced he would be at the helm for an incredible 21st season in 2023 and he said ‘Joey’ called him a few weeks ago when he was still deciding whether to stay as a coach or move into a coaching role. part-time director of the coaching role with the NRL club.
“It took a while to get there and there were a few things that blocked the decision,” Bellamy said.
“I turned the corner a bit when I had a conversation with Joey Johns – Andrew called me a few weeks ago and made a few remarks and it just seemed like a bit of sense to me and that tipped as I decided to go.”
Bellamy wouldn’t light up their conversation but said he appreciated Johns’ input.
“I’ll leave that between me and Joey but I appreciate him calling me and that’s the main thing that turned me around.”
The 63-year-old hasn’t ruled out training beyond 2023 and is contracted to the Storm until the end of 2026, but said he also wants to spend more time with his four grandchildren. children.
“There are a couple of things I want to do before I get too old,” he said.
“We’ll see what happens in those 12 months and go from there.”
Since taking over as coach in 2003, Bellamy has led the team to nine Grand Finals, winning five, although two were stripped for cheating on the salary cap.
The Storm are second on the NRL ladder after 10 rounds and edge defending champions Penrith by two points after losing their Magic Round clash in Brisbane last week.
Former mentor Wayne Bennett hailed Bellamy’s decision as he prepares to coach the Dolphins’ newcomers against him next season.
“I’m happy; if he still likes it and that’s what he wants to do, why would you retire?” Bennett said.
“You don’t get less knowledge as we get older. The enthusiasm and passion for what you do should stay, but you learn something every year.
It’s a relief for Melbourne given they are set to lose a number of veterans with skipper Jesse Bromwich, his brother Kenny and fellow representative striker Felise Kaufusi all leaving for the Dolphins at the end. of the year as Brandon Smith heads to the Sydney Roosters.
Bellamy’s one-year contract could potentially impact the future of superstar playmaker Cameron Munster, who is out of contract at the end of 2023.
