I believe he's referring to players from the NRL. It is a perfectly valid point IMO. Some coaches will have played or coached in both competitions, giving them access to people they have worked with previously. For example Nathan Brown would have been able to pick up the phone to a number of coaches and players he'd worked with in the past from the NRL and ask about availability of players. It will be more difficult for KC, as he won't have the same network of contacts, having never played in the NRL or coached anywhere.

Lol. I'ts not that I'm not happy at the thought, because I dont doubt that KC will be a successful coach, I'm just skeptical about the prospect of an ex-player getting his first head coaches position at one of the biggest clubs in world rugby league. Regardless of how much experience you have as an assistant, the position of head coach is a different ball game, just ask Royce Simmons.

I really hope for his and for the clubs sake, he goes on to be the most successful coach in the clubs history, but if you look at others who have done the same thing, you can't deny the law of averages is stacked against him.

I really hope my reservations are proven wrong.

I'm prepared to wait and see but if he carries on with the style of play introduced by Brown it could all end in tears. Grand Final or not, the last two seasons play has not been that inspiring.

He's got a direct contacts in Nathan Brown, Daniel Anderson, Mick Potter, Royce Simmons, David Fairleigh & Steve McNamara?

I wait with baited breath as to whether Longy will be part of the coaching setup.
Our structure in attack was our weak spot last year and I can't help recalling the pre-koucash era at Salford when the midfield triangle of Smith, Holdsworth and Patten were flourishing despite other areas at the reds severely lacking.

Browns not currently at any club, same with Potter, Anderson would be good, but Eels are in enough trouble for paying players not at the club so probably won't bear any fruit, who knows what Simmons is up to and Fairleigh isn't the key decision maker at Penrith. Knowing Coaches is one thing, but it's generally the administrators who you need to know to get ahead with the NRL clubs these days, as most have specialised recruitment staff...

Who's this Kieron fella ........... I thought Keiron had got the job.

But they'll all know people and have their fingers on the pulse. Its not like having Wayne Bennet on speed dial, but it is something.

Who did Hanley coach before us??

You know speaking of head coaches with no prior experience!

Great Britain

Owned.

Hanley had his problems too, albeit with the clubs administrators.

Understand the point made above, bad example using Hanley.

'Signing of Tricky Trindall anyone'??

Kez has respect amongst other coaches & players for his time spent playing the game. There will be no issues with that side of things.

Only concern is when it's backs against the walls ( ALA this season) can you turn misfits into champions. He'll get that experience none the less over time & I think he'll turn out to be a good appointment for us

Simmons is assistant coach at Penrith.

I would have preferred an experienced coach who has won stuff as our next coach as I think that would have taken this group of players to the next level IMO. Preferably one who knew how to coach an open style of attacking rugby.

It's alright the club going on about its culture but if the only people they are going to recruit are former Saints players the club could become increasingly insular. Every place needs freshening up now and again. No doubt once Cunningham moves on it'll be Wello's turn to coach the team!

I have my reservations but just as with other coaches I'll give him my full backing for the first season. After that, well, he's just another coach and that he has played for us before won't matter one iota if I have to pay to watch 40 point drubbings!

This was kind of my point with Wello and KC. Two players that were team mates are just a couple of years later coach and player. Hanley judged Trindell as a team mate and probably didn't consider what it would be like to control him as a coach. Trindall on the other hand probably viewed Hanley as a friend and not his boss. Which (along with the fact he's a d***head) contributed to his attitude at the club. It's a big jump and strange for both involved. Anyone would have to admit that if someone they worked/studied with ended up in charge of them it would be hard to change the way you treat each other.

Hanley was a respected man all over the Rugby League world. Known for being hard working and dedicated to perfection. This meant that when he signed for Saints after being a Wigan and Leeds legend few argued with the appointment. Des Hasler has a similar reputation.

We have a similar ex-player at the club that demands the same level of respect...Paul Sculthorpe.