Official Craig Fitzgibbon

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To be honest with you, I am generally happy with Fitzy. The only disappointment for me was last year - it felt like we stalled. Hoping for a better year (footy-wise, at least having a plan B and C)
I struggle to see what he’s added to this footy team that John Morris wouldn’t of added

For a defensive genius our defence isn’t great at all and our attack largely relies on Hynes magic when we come up against a decent team, his bench decisions have been questionable, he cannot get his players up for big games, sharks are the new chokers is now a thing and his recruitment policy has not provided any positive gains

Now that he’s shedded Moylan after wrongly extending him, Tracey and Graham retiring let’s see what he does with the extra $ ; He is in a perfect position to sign one of the games best props which is what this team needs more than anything but does he ignore that and keep extending players we already have like Uele and Hunt making that same mistake ?

We’ve also had two soft draws and two early embarrassing exits in the finals
 

Gumby

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I struggle to see what he’s added to this footy team that John Morris wouldn’t of added

For a defensive genius our defence isn’t great at all and our attack largely relies on Hynes magic when we come up against a decent team, his bench decisions have been questionable, he cannot get his players up for big games, sharks are the new chokers is now a thing and his recruitment policy has not provided any positive gains

Now that he’s shedded Moylan after wrongly extending him, Tracey and Graham retiring let’s see what he does with the extra $ ; He is in a perfect position to sign one of the games best props which is what this team needs more than anything but does he ignore that and keep extending players we already have like Uele and Hunt making that same mistake ?

We’ve also had two soft draws and two early embarrassing exits in the finals
Spot on. I’ve said this a few times, this year he has no excuse. It’s his squad now. He’s re signed 80% of them. Hasn’t added anyone when he could have. If he shits the bed this year then it’s going to be another painful few years with this bloke at the helm.
 

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Change the assistants, start with Hannay, shouldve let him go after being interim. Both him and Fitz seem similar in their manner, decision making and approach to coaching. Not blaming Hannay for our failures, but need someone new in the coaching staff, with a fresh view and footy brain that can add something new or switch up how we play.
 
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Change the assistants, start with Hannay, shouldve let him go after being interim. Both him and Fitz seem similar in their manner, decision making and approach to coaching. Not blaming Hannay for our failures, but need someone new in the coaching staff, with a fresh view and footy brain that can add something new or switch up how we play.
Toovey!
 

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Change the assistants, start with Hannay, shouldve let him go after being interim. Both him and Fitz seem similar in their manner, decision making and approach to coaching. Not blaming Hannay for our failures, but need someone new in the coaching staff, with a fresh view and footy brain that can add something new or switch up how we play.
How many times does this need to be bought up?
Hannay is a sought after coach. He is our attack coach (not our weakness) and has been a qld coach for many years (who have done pretty well I think). Hannay ain't the problem.

Also just because the coaching staff are not critical and saying the things you want them to say to the players in front of the media does not mean behind closed doors they aren't doing just that.
 
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I struggle to see what he’s added to this footy team that John Morris wouldn’t of added

For a defensive genius our defence isn’t great at all and our attack largely relies on Hynes magic when we come up against a decent team, his bench decisions have been questionable, he cannot get his players up for big games, sharks are the new chokers is now a thing and his recruitment policy has not provided any positive gains

Now that he’s shedded Moylan after wrongly extending him, Tracey and Graham retiring let’s see what he does with the extra $ ; He is in a perfect position to sign one of the games best props which is what this team needs more than anything but does he ignore that and keep extending players we already have like Uele and Hunt making that same mistake ?

We’ve also had two soft draws and two early embarrassing exits in the finals
There's still a lot of improvement that needs to happen and you've hit the mark on a few aspects, particularly defence and big games.

However, regarding Morris, it's impossible for us fans to really know the ins an outs without being behind the scenes. Maybe his player management was ****, maybe there was division in the squad, who knows. There are too many factors to be able to say they'd do the same job, and I was a big Morris fan.

Also bit harsh on Fitz's recruitment given Hynes and Finucane came over under him. I know Dale hasn't been quite as good as we'd have liked, but at the time the recruitment decision was golden. If he's able to get AFB I'm not sure I could fault his recruitment at all.
 
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How many times does this need to be bought up?
Hannay is a sought after coach. He is our attack coach (not our weakness) and has been a qld coach for many years (who have done pretty well I think). Hannay ain't the problem.

Also just because the coaching staff are not critical and saying the things you want them to say to the players in front of the media does not mean behind closed doors they aren't doing just that.
At least once more apparently…..
 
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Sharkfox

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How many times does this need to be bought up?
Hannay is a sought after coach. He is our attack coach (not our weakness) and has been a qld coach for many years (who have done pretty well I think). Hannay ain't the problem.

Also just because the coaching staff are not critical and saying the things you want them to say to the players in front of the media does not mean behind closed doors they aren't doing just that.
Get a new attack coach, he's over rated. Is our attack that great, most of it is focused on Hynes anyway, being involved in everything, where its like a one man show with the same moves which the inform teams shut down.

Most interim coaches move on when not given the Head Coach gig. Gives the new incoming coach a fresh start and outlook also. Its like we've continued on from how we were in 2021 just with new recruits. Hannay and Fitz are both laid back coaches also

He's got wraps, but dont hear much of his name when it comes to clubs looking for a new head coach
 

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Why not, coached manly to a prelim and a grand final following year, maybe he can help Fitz do the same 😄 he can work with Nicho and Brailey being an ex halfback and dummy half. Fitz is a rookie, so maybe an old head with him would work, atleast he's not laid back haha
 
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Get a new attack coach, he's over rated. Is our attack that great, most of it is focused on Hynes anyway, being involved in everything, where its like a one man show with the same moves which the inform teams shut down.

Most interim coaches move on when not given the Head Coach gig. Gives the new incoming coach a fresh start and outlook also. Its like we've continued on from how we were in 2021 just with new recruits. Hannay and Fitz are both laid back coaches also

He's got wraps, but dont hear much of his name when it comes to clubs looking for a new head coach

Our strike is pretty good. Like we score a lot of points per game. But i think its our attack in general that needs work in terms of patience, decision making and just simplifying the game plan at times

Defence has been an issue this year. Leaking a lot of soft points. Games against Manly, Warriors and Penrith especially we leaked bulk points on very quick periods in those games. Not good enough
 
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Our strike is pretty good. Like we score a lot of points per game. But i think its our attack in general that needs work in terms of patience, decision making and just simplifying the game plan at times

Defence has been an issue this year. Leaking a lot of soft points. Games against Manly, Warriors and Penrith especially we leaked bulk points on very quick periods in those games. Not good enough
Panthers, Manly and first Warriors game each had 2 tries against from kicks. Can’t say the defence was perfect, but also can’t put the loss on poor defence if someone doesn’t field a kick or the opposition gets a golden bounce.

Second Warriors game defence was great until Wilton went off. **** the bed after that.

Worst defensive efforts of the season imo were first halves v Storm and Dolphins.
 

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Dolphins game was the worst of the season IMO. Super depressing – I feel bad for everyone who flew up to Magic Round for it.
 

XGinga

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Get a new attack coach, he's over rated. Is our attack that great, most of it is focused on Hynes anyway, being involved in everything, where its like a one man show with the same moves which the inform teams shut down.
Soooo overrated that Billy Slater chooses to have him coach along side him and Cameron Smith. 5th best attacking side of last year and only 26 points behind first. Our attack must be horrible...

We even improved from the year before where we were 7th. Hannay must not be doing anything and is crap at his job.
Most interim coaches move on when not given the Head Coach gig. Gives the new incoming coach a fresh start and outlook also. Its like we've continued on from how we were in 2021 just with new recruits. Hannay and Fitz are both laid back coaches also

He's got wraps, but dont hear much of his name when it comes to clubs looking for a new head coach
Fitz was most likely asked hey do you want to start fresh with completely new staff or do you want Hannay the guys that knows this team and how the players work as you assistant. By the looks of things he was happy with him staying.
Like I said in my reply. Hannay and Fitz may seem laid back to the media. You have no idea what happens behind closed doors.

He's got wraps, but dont hear much of his name when it comes to clubs looking for a new head coach
Tell me three other assistants being chased right now to be head coach. Do you know how many assistant coaches are in the league? Probably at least 50. All of them must be crap because the 17 clubs aren't chasing all of them to be their head coach.

And maybe Hannay has been asked to be head coach somewhere and has advised he does not want to be a head coach. Which is why his name is never mentioned.

Why not, coached manly to a prelim and a grand final following year, maybe he can help Fitz do the same 😄 he can work with Nicho and Brailey being an ex halfback and dummy half. Fitz is a rookie, so maybe an old head with him would work, atleast he's not laid back haha
Yeah why not, lets choose the coach that hasn't been in an NRL system since 2015 as our assistant. Instead of the current QLD maroons attack coach and a coach that has been in our system. Game has changed a lot since 2015 but I am sure he will be fine.

This will be Fitz third year and we have made finals in both his first two. Let him and Hannay cook.
 

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The counter argument of our attack can't have actually been good or we would have beaten more teams doesn't carry much weight either, as it was rare we found ourselves pounding the line and unable to crack it.
More common we'd make dumb errors and let good teams mount pressure on us. The our try line D would crumple.

Don't think Toovs or Maloney can coach a player to consistently bust through tackles on their 10 to go the length and score.

Raiders just appointed Justin Giteau to assistant coach - how come they didn't hire Toovs or a prominent ex player?
 

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Dolphins game was the worst of the season IMO. Super depressing – I feel bad for everyone who flew up to Magic Round for it.
I’m sure they drank their sorrows away!
 

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I’m sure they drank their sorrows away!
You'd have to! I went up for Magic Round in 2021 when we got smashed by the Rabbitohs. 20-6 at halftime.

Magic Round is a lot of fun but I'm torn about next year. Can't stand losing to the Roosters.
 
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@XGinga
I was joking.

I’ve previously backed Hannay and have stated that I didn’t think our attack was an issue in most parts

In saying that Toovey would help instill some “guts and determination” of the 80’s back into our squad (I feel we need a lift in that area)
 

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@XGinga
I was joking.

I’ve previously backed Hannay and have stated that I didn’t think our attack was an issue in most parts

In saying that Toovey would help instill some “guts and determination” of the 80’s back into our squad (I feel we need a lift in that area)
Yeah sorry for dragging you in. I only included as without your comment Sharkfoxes had not context.
I wouldn't mind Toovey working with us in some way just not to replace Hanany as main assistant coach.
 
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The counter argument of our attack can't have actually been good or we would have beaten more teams doesn't carry much weight either, as it was rare we found ourselves pounding the line and unable to crack it.
More common we'd make dumb errors and let good teams mount pressure on us. The our try line D would crumple.

Don't think Toovs or Maloney can coach a player to consistently bust through tackles on their 10 to go the length and score.

Raiders just appointed Justin Giteau to assistant coach - how come they didn't hire Toovs or a prominent ex player?
What you are saying here is that the Sharks were a fairly good team in terms of turning good-ball in to points. I'd agree with that.

It depends what you consider "attack" to be though I guess. Is dropping the ball 10m out from your own line considered part of your attack? I think it is - but it's not something that a new attacking coach is going to have much influence on.

As far as games where the Sharks spent a whole bunch of time attacking the other team's line and lost, the Broncos game in Rd14 was the only obvious one. There were other games where they probably had enough good quality possession to win and didn't (Rd 1, 3, 5 and 21) but Nicho missed two of those and in the other two scoring points wasn't an issue (they scored 5 tries in each game). For the most part in the games the Sharks lost 5 the issue was getting the ball to the attacking end rather than lack of execution when they got there. There are definitely some attacking deficiencies which contributed to that (e.g. errors, poor yardage sets, poor end of sets, etc.).

This is total runs by all forwards (including Brailey) inside 25. Raw numbers. no modelling.

Blue = win, Black = loss by 9 points or less, Grey = loss by 10 points or more
1701226509659.png
 
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