Big Sam? Rabbitohs target : Tue Mar 19, 2024 6:52 pm  

It was suggested yesterday on Nrl360 that Demetrious' time as head coach could be short lived with Wayne Bennett taking over and big Sam as his protege, so even if he does 2 years, will he stay or go.
I hope a british RL star doesn't state 'homesick' for his return, IF there is one.
For me, he's a genuine guy so I think we'll get an honest decision, whatever happens.

Re: Big Sam? Rabbitohs target : Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:00 pm  

His plan was only ever two years here I think. And I have no doubt he’ll stay to see it out. He seems that sort of character. I wouldn’t expect him to go in as an assistant to Bennett when he’s doing so well in his first head coach role.

I don’t expect him to stay here beyond the two years though, even if we were to win the grand final (unlikely anyway). It’s clear already just what he can do, even without a ready made team of stars, and I have no doubt he’ll go okay back in the NRL.

Re: Big Sam? Rabbitohs target : Wed Mar 20, 2024 5:28 am  

I’ve no issue with Sam leaving to the NRL if he ever did.

My only concern is which of our breakthrough stars he would take with him.

Could he be an Alex Murphy type guy.
Rips the best from his teams and takes them wherever he goes.

Re: Big Sam? Rabbitohs target : Wed Mar 20, 2024 8:24 am  

rubber duckie wrote:

Could he be an Alex Murphy type guy.
Rips the best from his teams and takes them wherever he goes.

<<< Shudders, thinking of Powell taking Mata'utia, Holmes and Minikin out of Castleford >>>

Re: Big Sam? Rabbitohs target : Wed Mar 20, 2024 10:37 am  

rubber duckie wrote:

I’ve no issue with Sam leaving to the NRL if he ever did.

My only concern is which of our breakthrough stars he would take with him.

Could he be an Alex Murphy type guy.
Rips the best from his teams and takes them wherever he goes.

Even if he did take a couple, the way the younger players are being pushed on, we're likely to be much better off overall for his influence. Saints and Wigan have consistently remained strong even when losing players to the NRL because of their academies and faith in playing youth. Hopefully we're going in that direction too.

[Winslade's Offload]

Re: Big Sam? Rabbitohs target : Wed Mar 20, 2024 10:48 am  

I think this is pure speculation on the part of lazy Dail Mail journos and is on the back of two losses for the Bunnies. They have to fill their columns with something !

Re: Big Sam? Rabbitohs target : Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:55 pm  

I remember an article when Burgess was announced stating that he did not have the relevant qualifications to coach at SL level but he had a dispensation to coach at elite level in the UK. From memory the coaching courses in Australia had been on hold since the pandemic so he couldn't gain the required qualifications in Australia.
He has made no secret of his desire to return to Australia but everybody knows that to get a head coaches gig in Australia you have pretty much to win a GF over here. I think the only coach in the last 20 years that managed to get a head coaches role in the NRL without winning the SL grand final was Trent Robinson.

Re: Big Sam? Rabbitohs target : Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:36 pm  

There was always going to be speculation about Sam returning to the NRL, he has such a high profile over there.

The better that Wire do, then the more the rumours will intensify.

The number of young players currently playing in our 1st team is down to Burgess giving them a chance (The kids have to be good enough of course & that`s down to them & also to the scouts and scholarship/ academy coaches).

Sam`s partner is from Leeds and with them having a very young daughter, she will be happy staying in England for now, with the family support they can give her, so I can she him staying for the duration of his contract with us.

It`s hard to judge the current level we are at, maybe the Catalan home game at Easter will show us that?

To win the Grand Final, Warrington would have to beat Wigan in the play-offs, and with the playing squad they have assembled there, I can`t see anyone team doing that in the next couple of years.

Re: Big Sam? Rabbitohs target : Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:03 pm  

Just echoing what others have posted. SB returning to the NRL at some point in time surely doesn't surprise anyone. He's just cutting his coaching teeth while with the Wire.

Re: Big Sam? Rabbitohs target : Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:26 pm  

He said he's doing 2 years then going home, the surprise would be if he stayed over here.