Official Craig Fitzgibbon

Western Sharkie

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Jaws
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Gards said:
If we end up finishing in 2nd place ahead of the Cows I reckon the right decision is to give Fitz Coach of the Year. We didn't play finals last year, had terrible defense ect which has been turned around big time and it's Fitz first year

I know the Cows were even worse than us last year but if it wasn't for that bs win over the Tigers they probably wouldn't even be making the top 4

It might be given to Ivan Cleary though

I remember in 2008 finishing equal first under Sticky which was an amazing achievement with the squad we had but they gave coach of year to Bellamy
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Agreed but sooky sooky Lala Payton will cry so they will give it to him.
 
bort

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Gards said:
If we end up finishing in 2nd place ahead of the Cows I reckon the right decision is to give Fitz Coach of the Year. We didn't play finals last year, had terrible defense ect which has been turned around big time and it's Fitz first year

I know the Cows were even worse than us last year but if it wasn't for that bs win over the Tigers they probably wouldn't even be making the top 4

It might be given to Ivan Cleary though

I remember in 2008 finishing equal first under Sticky which was an amazing achievement with the squad we had but they gave coach of year to Bellamy
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Cleary wasn’t even there half the season
 
Gards

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bort said:
Cleary wasn’t even there half the season
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I thought Cleary only missed a few games? (Covid + the health scare thing)

I recall Fitz missed 1 game with Covid (think was our 1st or 2nd game)

Also my memory screwed me on the 2008 Dally M coach of the year - it actually went to Raiders coach Neil Henry, not Craig Bellamy. I really don't think they went back and took Dally M awards away from the Storm for the cheating years haha

Raiders didn't even make top 4 in 2008 (the other team tied with us and Storm in 1st was Manly) but Raiders were down bottom of ladder in 2007
Which might be what is considered if Todd Payten is given the gong this year.

I just remember thinking Sticky was a bit unlucky/hard done by not to win the award in 2008 . Sharks weren't very good in 2007 either
 
MrDravid

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Gards said:
If we end up finishing in 2nd place ahead of the Cows I reckon the right decision is to give Fitz Coach of the Year. We didn't play finals last year, had terrible defense ect which has been turned around big time and it's Fitz first year

I know the Cows were even worse than us last year but if it wasn't for that bs win over the Tigers they probably wouldn't even be making the top 4

It might be given to Ivan Cleary though

I remember in 2008 finishing equal first under Sticky which was an amazing achievement with the squad we had but they gave coach of year to Bellamy
Click to expand...
Cows have gone from 15th to top 4... they're giving it to Payten.
 
CrazyMatt

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Guiding a team that missed the finals last year and looked very soft and chaotic doing it to second place in his first season as a head coach, on the back of organised and tough defence, with an unproven halfback to boot. Superb rookie year for the boss. Definitely in the mix for the coach of the year award surely.
 
bort

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CrazyMatt said:
Guiding a team that missed the finals last year and looked very soft and chaotic doing it to second place in his first season as a head coach, on the back of organised and tough defence, with an unproven halfback to boot. Superb rookie year for the boss. Definitely in the mix for the coach of the year award surely.
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Reckon he’d win it most years
 
Pishposh46

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CrazyMatt said:
Guiding a team that missed the finals last year and looked very soft and chaotic doing it to second place in his first season as a head coach, on the back of organised and tough defence, with an unproven halfback to boot. Superb rookie year for the boss. Definitely in the mix for the coach of the year award surely.
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What would top it off is if we beat the Roosters somewhere in the finals and the apprentice knocks out the master.
 
Sir Chadley

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OK, I know you guys poke a bit of fun at me about this (and fair enough) but yes, I did email Fitz yesterday to congratulate him on a good season and excellent finishing spot.

I also said it seemed a bit of a concern that we had only played weaker teams in the last five rounds and in some cases struggled with our attack and error rates. I said we are all a bit worried that against stronger opposition we will definitely struggle. I said no one seems to be giving us any chance of going deep into the finals.

I asked him if we can go to another level.

I also asked him a few other things about Sifa and Sione but he sidestepped those - which is fair enough.

But here was his response to thoughts that we may struggle against other teams.

Gday mate

Appreciate the email and support this year.

On your point on playing lower teams, all that is now irrelevant. We have a strong position to capitalise on, the only way we will struggle is if people believe we will struggle.

It will be hard no doubt, but the mind and heart are powerful tools.

We are looking forward to it.

Regards fitz
 
Shortfin Mako

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Sir Chadley said:
OK, I know you guys poke a bit of fun at me about this (and fair enough) but yes, I did email Fitz yesterday to congratulate him on a good season and excellent finishing spot.

I also said it seemed a bit of a concern that we had only played weaker teams in the last five rounds and in some cases struggled with our attack and error rates. I said we are all a bit worried that against stronger opposition we will definitely struggle. I said no one seems to be giving us any chance of going deep into the finals.

I asked him if we can go to another level.

I also asked him a few other things about Sifa and Sione but he sidestepped those - which is fair enough.

But here was his response to thoughts that we may struggle against other teams.

Gday mate

Appreciate the email and support this year.

On your point on playing lower teams, all that is now irrelevant. We have a strong position to capitalise on, the only way we will struggle is if people believe we will struggle.

It will be hard no doubt, but the mind and heart are powerful tools.

We are looking forward to it.

Regards fitz
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I agree with him. We'll only struggle if we believe we will struggle.

Otherwise it is week 1.
 
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