Origin greats blast penny-pinching NSW
Head of the NSW FOGS (Former Origin Greats) Max Krilich has accused the NSW rugby league of penny pinching in the wake of the Blues' fifth consecutive series loss to Queensland.
Krilich said the Maroons' five-peat has proven they're miles ahead of NSW not only with their playing talent, but with their coaching and organisational structure as well.
The FOGS boss said the NSW rugby league has favoured money saving methods over winning, and called on the Blues to appoint an independent coach who isn't tied down by club duties.
While adamant that Wednesday's thrashing was not Craig Bellamy's fault, Krilich believes Laurie Daley is the man to bring NSW up to speed with Queensland's professionalism.
"They're worried about the money all the time, not about winning and it basically comes back to that. They don't want to spend the money," Krilich said.
"They need to have a fulltime coach for a starter. I'm so dead set against club coaches. I think Bellamy is probably the best coach in the league but he can't put all his time and efforts into it.
"Mal Meninga is doing a fantastic job for Queensland.
"The other night I saw Bellamy at the Melbourne game, now please. That's not his fault, it's what they've asked him to do, but as far as I'm concerned there should be no one who is coaching club sides.
"Laurie Daley would be an excellent choice."
Krilich said the NSWRL's reluctance to kick-start the FOGS was further evidence of the organisation's constraint on resources.
NSWRL chief executive Geoff Carr has called for a sweeping review of the Origin set up, but Krilich believes it should have already happened.
"I'd have to think that's where we're a long way behind," he said.
"Geoff Carr and the NSW administration didn't want the NSW FOGS involved, and we only just got involved.
"But the Qld FOGS have been involved for 10 or 12 years so that's how far behind we are for a starter. It comes back to penny pinching basically."
Ricky Stuart, Phil Gould and Daley have emerged as potential coaching targets who aren't tied up with club duties.
"At this stage I'm happy doing what I'm doing," said Daley.
"It's a job that you'd have to be asked to do, I think anyone would love to do it but I don't think it's up to me to go selling my credentials or anyone else's.
"It's a matter of the board deciding whether Craig wants to do it or not and if he doesn't I'm sure there will be other people that they would have in mind."
If the NSWRL decide to stick with a club coach, former Origin players Des Hasler from Manly and John Cartwright from Gold Coast loom as likely options.
"I won't even discuss it. I don't want the role," Cartwright said.
"It's not something you go around wanting. If they ask you to do it you would consider it."
Bellamy could be sacked before game three, however Blues players say they want him to stay in charge.
"Definitely, for sure 100 per cent ... he's shown in the past what he can do for Melbourne, and I'll be sticking by him, he's a great coach," said centre Matt Cooper.
Second rower Ben Creagh admitted Bellamy looked drained after fulltime on Wednesday but backed him to bounce back.
"It's not his fault," Creagh lamented.
"He's had a lot gone on with him and I think he was pretty drained and gutted last night."
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