Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
RH it's certainly interesting to read you criticise the notion of recruiting a QLD native coach on the hope that a local boy could lead the franchise on successfully, on the same forum that so many lament the overlooking of local young players for imports. We cannot have it both ways.
People want to see the local talent succeed.
Graham did have decent success as an assistant coach in Europe and for the wallabies. Yes his force record was poor. Much like his predecessor and successor though.
It's certainly fair to criticise the results it has yielded and the failure of the board to take action I agree.
But in sport which at times can be an emotional endeavour, sometimes the best candidate in the world cannot incite the same emotion that a local can.
Obviously Graham as failed, but let's aim the criticism the right way, Graham's ability as a Head Coach and his results, not the idea that it would be great to achieve success with a local.
Did he? What was it? What players developed and improved their skills under his tutelage?
The Saracens record doesn't show much for the 2006-2009 period he is listed as being there with average success despite having some big names on the roster.
If his time with the Wallabies was a success I do not want to see failure, as skills coach how was the execution of those basic skills in that time..... However Deans took the lions share of the blame for that. Lets not forget that He joined the Force in 2010 to 2012 when the players basically said no more of this rubbish.
The idea that a local would achieve success isn't the issue, the issue is the candidates and narrowing the field and only considering "locals".
Any selection should be looking not only at the HC role but the entire plan and system that the HC would be looking to bring. So much of Graham's issues have been that he is obviously a poor planner and implementer. The Reds have been reactive under him and nothing has been planned completely. No real 10 back-up, exacerbated by losing players like Harris, Shipperly etc and now Hanson. Loss of S&C staff (there is something worth investigating) at the start of the season.