Gary Hetherington, just issued the annual statement.

Very long, but really nothing new to report.

the fact he is going to Australia fules out any candidates over here imo

Tells me that he knows we need a new direction and that will come from Aus. Needs to be someone with NRL Head Coach experience or someone who has been learning from a legend like Bennett or Bellamy.

This is the most important decision that GH will make during his entire Leeds tenure. Get it wrong and you throw away everything that he’s worked so hard for.

Agreed. A trip to Australia is a statement of how seriously he is taking this.

Here's hoping we manage to do better than last time. With the benefit of hindsight the Leeds connection with Furner during his time with us as a player and his past comradeship with members of the Golden Generation probably clouded the decision too much to the point we overlooked his time in charge at Canberra. We need a good technical coach who can pick up things quickly with the current squad, get the experienced players to perform, and work on developing some of the younger players in the longer-term, whilst buying into the Leeds culture. Any old NRL assistant won't do!

Can he dupe Thompson into taking a trip home and bring home a nice present?

I’m thinking a Thompson Thompson swap

Good statement and it was needed. I like that he’s going to Australia to personally speak to candidates. Big big decision this one which he has to get right. I get the sense he’s rather annoyed with the current situation.

Yeah I agree with that. Seems that he knows it too, I think the appointment might shock a few when they announce it, I think they’ll go big.

Names I’m seeing linked who are over in Australia, Michael Monaghan, Ryan Carr, Cameron Ciraldo, Rohan Smith, Stephen Kearney and Mark O’Meley. However, tonight I was sent a name that hasn’t been mentioned at all, John Morris.

Where`s Morris coaching Frostie?

I believe he’s on the coaching staff of South Sydney under Jason Demetriou.

Cheers mate.
Bit of a rookie maybe?

Morris coached the Sharks for a couple of years after Flanagan left. I'm not sure he did a great job but he'll probably be hungry for another NRL head coaching gig. That sort of coach is what we need I think - young enough to be ambitious but not lacking experience. I have no problem at all with them seeing Leeds as a proving ground to get an NRL role.

There will be a bunch of assistants around who might be willing to go to England, but its an odd time of year. The only other option would be a former coach who's out of a job like Flanagan. But they can be hit and miss as well - there's generally a reason why they're not coaching.

Didnt GH go to OZ pre lockdown every year ? Anyway let's hope he gets this sorted . If Sinfield had stayed it could have damaged his CV and Agar washing his hands was a statement that once again the culture at the club is rotten

I think John Morris would be the perfect fit for Leeds. He is such an underated coach and dont forget, it was he that guided the sharks reserve team to the minor premiership. He also managed two 7th placed finishes in the NRL despite having no money to spend due to salary cap. It speaks volumes that when he was sacked, the senior players of cronulla wanted to go on strike.

Really? Have we not heard this many times before?
Harping back to 2003 when the Visionary Hetherington brought in Tony Smith? That was 19 years ago!
Further proof that Hetherington is totally out of touch and the root cause of all the problems that exist at Leeds Rhinos. If he had an ounce of honour, a slither of backbone or any regard for the club he would go now.
Caddick save the club and remove the real problem.

That's a good point. He has coached through the age groups. It would be good to have a head coach who understands the importance of youth production and the requirements for top coaches at all levels of the club.

I'm really intrigued by this rumour. Bit left field, but could be a really astute appointment. One thing that GH said in his statement is that the new coach needs vision for the club. I think that's crucial, as we need someone to take us into a new era, as well as just getting good results this season.

On the Agar situation, I don't think his position as DOR is possible now. I think the players really like him, but don't necessarily respect him in the way that's needed for a DoR. You need a DoR who will be a touch negotiator and isn't afraid to rattle cages, so the head coach doesn't have to. Agar isn't that guy for me.

Exactly>

Annoyed with the situation? He is the big part of the problem!

Do you really have an understanding of the situation?
You are quoting brininging in Tony Smith as if it was a mistake.
GH is obviously still passionate about the club and still wants to do right while trying to take a back step. I think the only reason he hasnt taken a back step yet is that the correct replacement hasnt been found and that he wants all the jigsaw pieces in place before he can properly relax.
There is a lot of unwarrented slating of GH on social media imho, he has my full support. Yes there have been some mistakes made in some appointments but all done with the best of intentions and many of us also agreed with them at the time of making. It's easy to look back and say whet a mistake that was with the benifit of knowing the outcome.
GH still has my full support and I know he is acting in the best interest of all of us

From your words and picture clearly you are Kath Hetherington - you need to wake up and smell the coffee GH is the problem well past his sell by date

Hetherington's primary role in recent years has been running the club, and to allow us to spend the maximum on the playing squad. Given the record budget allocated to that this year he has achieved it pretty well.

He's stated he wants to move away from the DOR role for several years - bringing in Sinfield who messed up the Furner appointment, who appointed Agar and who subsequently decided the role wasn't for him meaning Hetherington has had to go back to it.

Thanks for the info, sounds like he'd be a good candidate.

And you know this how?
What do you really know about what Gary does?
Sit behind your keyboard and slag off who you want, i'm also entitled to believe what i want

And clearly you do believe everything that he says.
Well shock horror some of us don’t and some of us are better informed than others

“All Rhinos supporters are equal, some are more equal than others”

So you're saying you haven't a clue what a Rugby League club chief exec does?

Sorry mate i usually agree with your posts but not this one. Hes slashing budgets left, right abd centre.

Maybe the fact GH is back overseeing DoR role is because of Gary tho? Hes mid 60s now, hes stubborn and lost his touch. Hes been great for Leeds but i hope he doesnt ruin his legacy at Leeds.