With several coaches in the firing line, a NRL coaching bloodbath could be around the corner as struggling teams jostle for position to land the hottest names on the open market
On Monday, it emerged that Knights coach Adam O’Brien’s days at Newcastle are numbered.
Meanwhile, the Titans have reportedly already made their mind up on their coach Des Hasler, with the dual-premiership winner set to exit the club after a tough two-year stint on the Gold Coast.
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The other name rumoured to be on a scorching hot seat is Cowboys coach Todd Payten.
Payten led North Queensland to a semi-final in 2024, but so far this season, the Cowboys have struggled for consistency and are the worst defensive team in the competition.
The Cowboys have a super talented team with several representative stars – a team which should be contesting for a premiership every season.
However, defence has been a major issue over the past three seasons as has a lack of consistency week in, week out.
Entering Round 20, the Cowboys are sitting a disappointing 12th (six wins, 10 losses, one draw).
Respected sports broadcaster Adam Peacock says the fact the Cowboys are hidden away up in Townsville has probably helped Payten escape some heat.
“If the Cowboys are in the west of Sydney and performing like they have, they’d be on the back page of The Daily Telegraph a la the Wests Tigers,” Peacock said on Triple M’s NRL Daily.
Journalist Dave Riccio also believes Payten, who is contracted until the end of next season, should be under immense pressure, breaking down some of the Cowboys’ dire defensive trends.
Payten at a loss on how to fix Cowboys | 04:45
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“They’ve been super inconsistent with the roster they’ve got. They’ve had two 50 point defeats this season, they’ve had three wins at home from eight games,” Ricco said.
“They’re also leaking just under 30 points per game. They are the worst defence in the comp. Now that’s always a very key indicator for management and boards in relation to what you’re getting out of your football team as a coach.”
There are several names that have been raised as potential coaching options for NRL teams that have a vacancy at season’s end.
Hull KR coach Willie Peters, Sharks and Maroons assistant Josh Hannay and former Eels coach Brad Arthur to name a few.
Given there is pressure on teams to land the best coaching candidate possible, the fact that the Titans and Knights have already got the ball rolling on replacing their current coach could mean Payten is on an even tighter deadline to turn his side’s fortunes around.
“The way I see this is a real game of cat and mouse,” Riccio said.
“We see the Titans about to make a move on Des Hasler then we have the two other clubs sitting just off the pace going, ‘OK, do we move as well?’. Because ultimately, whoever moves first will get the first pick of the best candidate on the open market.
“Whoever moves second or third might not get the person that they want and that’s what I feel is unfolding here.
“Yes there’s pressure on Todd Payten, but there’s increasing pressure due to the fact the Titans are about to make a move and then there’s a watching brief on Adam O’Brien at the Knights and that’s the problem.
“While there are other clubs about to make a move, the other clubs are sitting back wondering what do we do with our coach thinking we don’t want to be second or third cab off the rank.”
