ITS been a relatively quiet year on the coaching merry-go-round front. Every clipboard holder has managed to stay away from the unemployment line at Centrelink. But that’s about to change.
With three rounds of footy to go until the semi-finals are upon us, I reckon there’s up to 3, maybe 4 coaches who won’t be at the club they’re coaching right now in 2026.
Let’s go through those in the firing line and give them a mark out of 10 (10 being pack your bags buddy) of them being shown the door before the 2026 NRL season.
Adam O’Brien – Knights. Currently sitting in 16th spot, the Knights equalled an unwanted record last weekend when they failed to score a point in the first half, for the 11th time this season. The 2014 Tigers did the same. And as the drums beat louder for coach O’Brien to be shown the door in Newcastle, his team are doing him no favours by seemingly being unable to score points without Kayln Ponga in the team. O’Brien still has one year to go on his deal in which he extended just last year. But you get the feeling nothing will save the likeable mentor as their current 6 game losing streak is the worst in the league. 8/10.
Des Hasler – Titans. Sitting last on the ladder definitely doesn’t help Dessie in his quest to remain head honcho on the Gold Coast, and after having 50 put on them by the Sharks last weekend, that could have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. It’s hard to get a gauge on how close the Titans hierarchy are in terms of pulling the trigger on Haslers’ contract up North but for mine if they do, they have to make sure they are replacing him with a coach who they deem is better equipped then Des. An exercise which may prove harder than first thought. Personally, I’d keep him on, at least for a further 12 months. I’m not sure the Titans owners feel the same. 7/10.
Anthony Seibold – Manly. Ever since captain Daly Cherry-Evans announced early this year that this would be his last for the boys from Brookvale, a big black cloud has hovered over the Sea-Eagles, and coach Anthony Seibold. Now there is talk of unrest amongst their players – there always is when you’re losing games. And something must be wrong at Manly as they put in their worst performance of the year last Sunday, going down convincingly against the willing Tigers, a performance that included 16 handling errors, and 45 missed tackles! They now sit in 10th spot on 24 points, have had 4 losses in a row, and will have to win their last 3 games of the year (Dolphins, Dragons, Warriors) to even be a chance of playing finals footy. Don’t be surprised to see Fox Sports Mick Ennis be handed the top job at Manly next season. 7/10.
Todd Payten – Cowboys. The Cowboys are a team that should be playing finals footy every year, given their star-studded roster which includes 6 state of origin players. But 2025 has been one to forget for the boys from Townsville. Currently in 13th spot with 21 points, the Cowboys won’t play finals footy this year. Whenever that happens, given what I’ve just stated re their roster, questions must be asked. Starting with their coach, who may have gotten a stay of execution after thumping the Knights last Sunday. 6/10. Who’d be a coach!
MG (random Westie) OAM
