Just realised I hadn't posted in this (potentially epic) thread.
Now I have.
Des deserves "Coach of the year" hands down based on team improvement , but he won't get it (Bellamy will break record for most consecutive wins; Robinson is basically seen as a God for making the Rooters endless salary cap work in an injury-ravaged year....big whoop) - But Des'll be happy about that, flying under the radar and all that jazz..
Simply put, compare all teams finishes 2020 vs all teams finishes 2021. Des has moved a team up the ladder more than ANY other coach, by a substantial margin. 8 places improvement, with the only additions being Aloiai & Foran, and good ol' Karl Lawton mid-season, carrying long-term injury.
How many punters would see those 3 signings as a (minimum) 8-place rise on the ladder?Other than Manly, 8 of the top 9 teams right now, are the exact same as last year.
Isn't the role of a 'coach of the year' to improve the team's outcomes, over a single season?
You can't compare Manly's rise, to being a major contender within a year, with any other team. No Turbo excuses/explanations please - Turbo '21 is not Turbo of '20 - he has emerged as the game's best player, this year. Potential be damned, how many players have 'potential'. It's entirely on Turbo himself to realise that potential, inspired and managed by Des (or Harry from the corso....maybe)
2020 - end of year (20 rounds played)
View attachment 19148
2021 - current (22-23 rounds played)
View attachment 19149
Sack Des if you like, but enjoy the step down in the replacement, no matter who it is.