Hickmans follows Bennett

[Foordy]

WAYNE Bennett's overhaul of under-performing St George Illawarra has begun in earnest, with the Brisbane performance co-ordinator Jeremy Hickmans agreeing to follow the coach to the Dragons next year.

Hickmans, who took over from the highly regarded Dean Benton in Brisbane last spring after two years as his assistant, is the first appointment of the Bennett era at the Dragons.

But several more are expected as the six-time premiership winning coach puts a broom through the football department and playing roster.

Broncos video analyst Scott Barker, who has worked alongside Bennett at both club and State of Origin level, is also poised to head south next year, while at least two Brisbane players are considering an option to follow their coach.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 14,00.html

I'm not happy about Hickmans leaving. he has done a good job as performance co-ordinator for the Broncos. the one good bit i read in the article is:

Brisbane will almost certainly seek out another highly credentialled strength and conditioning coach to head its performance department.

In fact, Henjak is likely to oversee next year one of the largest, most specialised football departments ever assembled in the NRL.

i wonder how that would go. eusa_think

 

[Bond]

Well that really stirs me up. We are looking the fittest we have in the last decade and now the guy responsible leaves.

Thanks Wayne Bennet....

 

[Steve]

From today's The Courier Mail

THE gloves are off between Wayne Bennett and the Broncos, with the first Dragons defector snatched from under successor Ivan Henjak's nose.
In a move that could destabilise Brisbane's camp, performance director Jeremy Hickmans yesterday confirmed he will jump ship at season's end to join Bennett at St George-Illawarra for the next three years.

While Bennett and Henjak continue to work together at the Broncos this season, behind the scenes both are striving to build their respective playing and coaching rosters for next season and beyond.

"We're disappointed to lose him but the bottom line is we want blokes who want to be here, who want to be at the Broncos," Henjak said of Hickmans. "We'll get a good replacement and get on with the job."

By poaching Hickmans to join him at the Dragons, Bennett has drawn first blood – with several off-contract players also believed to be in his sights.

Front-row duo Ben Hannant and Michael Ennis have been touted as key Dragons targets, while David Stagg, Darius Boyd and Joel Moon could also be tempted to remain under Bennett's command.

Hickmans's defection could yet be followed by athletic performance co-ordinator Chris Haseman, who has yet to commit his future.

Broncos physiotherapist Rob Godbolt, with the club since 1993, has not been approached by Bennett and is expected to remain in Brisbane alongside fellow sports science staff Dan Baker and Andrew Croll.

Bennett secretly approached Hickmans a month ago to head his new-look staff at St George-Illawarra. Brisbane management, which is known to be disappointed by Bennett's actions, also courted Hickmans but moved three weeks ago to begin the hunt for a replacement and is well advanced in its selection process.

Hickmans's decision has provided Henjak, who will lead the NRL's biggest football department next year, with his first major headache as a head coach.

Hickmans, who took charge of Brisbane's conditioning program this season after two years under Dean Benton, is considered one of the leaders in his field.

Henjak was the first person Hickmans informed of his "gut-wrenching decision".

Hickmans said Bennett's presence was the determining factor, with the conditioner to relocate with his long-term partner Lynsey to Wollongong, where the Dragons will base their training under the decorated coach.

The fresh challenge of building a new program, not continuing a schedule partly implemented by Benton, also appeals to Hickmans.

Bennett refused to discuss publicly whether his recruitment of Hickmans involved a conflict of interest but said he was pleased to be continuing their association.

"Jeremy is an extremely talented person," Bennett said. "I'm very pleased to continue working with him."

**** me I wish Matt Marshall would learn to cut back on the emotive language. The gloves are hardly off and I think Bennett would be offended at the notion that he has "drawn first blood".

IMO given Bennett's standing at the club this was always likely to happen. Hickman won't be the last to go and there will probably be one or two players which will follow. The good thing is that the club was prepared and are already well into the process of finding a replacement. Having said that it's unfortunate we weren't able to keep Hickman but Wayne Bennett holds a lot of sway and that's just part of life.

 

[Burg]

A huge blow no doubt, but more will follow. I'm not going to blame Bennett because if another 1st grade coach had of come to the Broncos (Bellamy or who ever) they would have brought some of their own team. Its usual practice, we just haven't had it do to us before.

 

[Nashy]

This should be outlawed until seasons end. Conflict of Interest much?

 

[Coxy]

This should be outlawed until seasons end. Conflict of Interest much?

No more so than players agreeing to go to another club the next year and they then play against them.

 

[666]

I'm not that worried, Hannant said he ain't leaving the gold coast to live in another town. Has even said Henjak signing was more of a incentive to remain a bronco.

Michaels has said he is gonna stay. Like Moon would follow the same coach who hasn't given him much of a chance, same with Kemp. Ennis might follow him, but the fact the Broncos have stood by him through his injuries might sway him to stay. If we lose Boyd or Stagg they can be replaced. We are about to have the best centre pairing in the NRL in folau and Hodges, we could put shaved monkey's outside them and they'd look good. We have the forwards to replace Stagg. Hannat if he left for the gold coast, whilst he would be a lose, Thaiday has really stepped up as a front rower, and so has Kenny.

People wanna leave with Bennett, see you later I say, we are the best club in the league world, we will move on like we have done in the past and we will remain strong like we have done so many years, so leave and don't let the door hit you on the way out, but rest assured when you return with your new team, our forward pack will give you a welcome home you wont forget.

 

[nopatience101]

i dont understand how we can have a head coach supposedly coaching a team while in the background making secret deals with players and staff and undermining his assistant and our future coach, Bennett allways said that when he left he would leave the club in a strong position, to me hes a hypocrite and i no longer have the same respect for him, he needs to be shown the door now...., we have given him the respect of 20 years wheres the respect for the club in return?.......The Dragons are our competition and at the moment it is no different to letting Doust in the front door with unlimited resources and paying him for the pleasure of pilfering half our club..........

 

[Nashy]

This should be outlawed until seasons end. Conflict of Interest much?

No more so than players agreeing to go to another club the next year and they then play against them.

Which I also believe should be outlawed.

All contract talks should be at the end of the season.

 

[Hamm.0]

I agree Nahsy. Not inly wuld off season negotiations limit any scandalous behaviour during the season, it would keep our beautiful game in the spotlight off season.

Win-win

 

[Major JW Hochstetter]

The Dragons are our competition and at the moment it is no different to letting Doust in the front door with unlimited resources and paying him for the pleasure of pilfering half our club..........

Whilst I don't completely agree with the "gloves are off" and we're at war type statements, the above by nopatience is very hard to argue against given the professional nature of football these days.

This was always going to happen and lets face it, Bennett isn't choosing to, he has to prepare for next season now. But while I admire Wayne's contributions and standing in the club as much as anyone, we are effectively allowing a Dragon to be on the front-line actively seeking and pursuading potential defectors that he wants. Given his credibility and the strong influence he's had on people's decision making over the years, that's quite scary. He can and will pick us a part if he feels he has to in order to get what he needs to make the Saints a succecssful unit from next year on.

The only quick-fix solution, which also has the potential to back-fire, is to punt him mid-season with haste. However, i'd like to think our club is beyond taking such action and will have plans in place to limit the damage, which I believe is currently the case.

This is all just how the NRL rolls circa 2008 unfortunately.

Those who follow Wayne should be thanked for their sevices but not missed (particularly from the playing roster). They can and will be promptly and sufficiently replaced. If, in order to further their career, they feel the need to follow one (albeit great) man to what is a mediocre club at best on and off the field and expect this one man to perform instant miracles for their careers and the club, as opposed to being a part of one of the most promising and the most professional and quality club in the league, then it is in our best interests that they aren't with us from next year.

Here's hoping this all travels as smoothly as possible. As big a task as it is, the challenge is there for Bruno to limit the damage and if needed to fix it via suitable replacements. Bruno cops a truck load of abuse at times on this forum, but personally i'm fairly confident he, along with Henjak and co, will present us with a pleasing set-up from next season, despite Wayne's expected poaching efforts.

 

[Kee]

It is a business.I don't get the Bennett knocking at all.
If you were moving to another company for instance and had the opportunity to ask your team that you highly respected and had the utmost faith in,would you not ask them to go with you?

I am sure Wayne doesn't want McGregor as the fitness coach.He is going to have an uphill battle down there as is.If any player goes with him then it shows the respect the player has for our coach.
Deal with it. Just enjoy the time we have left in this season with him at the helm.He won't be playing for the Saints and I am sure Bennett will be giving our club 100%.

He has to start getting things in place for next year.It is not being sneaky.Was always noted he had a wish list as I am sure most of the coaches who are moving on have.

Bruno should have had players signed that he wants to stay.It is not Bennetts fault if they go elsewhere.

 

[mrslong]

It is a business.I don't get the Bennett knocking at all.
If you were moving to another company for instance and had the opportunity to ask your team that you highly respected and had the utmost faith in,would you not ask them to go with you?

I am sure Wayne doesn't want McGregor as the fitness coach.He is going to have an uphill battle down there as is.If any player goes with him then it shows the respect the player has for our coach.
Deal with it. Just enjoy the time we have left in this season with him at the helm.He won't be playing for the Saints and I am sure Bennett will be giving our club 100%.

He has to start getting things in place for next year.It is not being sneaky.Was always noted he had a wish list as I am sure most of the coaches who are moving on have.

Bruno should have had players signed that he wants to stay.It is not Bennetts fault if they go elsewhere.

Yeah well said! This is my opinion too.

 

[PJW83]

It is a business.I don't get the Bennett knocking at all.
If you were moving to another company for instance and had the opportunity to ask your team that you highly respected and had the utmost faith in,would you not ask them to go with you?

I am sure Wayne doesn't want McGregor as the fitness coach.He is going to have an uphill battle down there as is.If any player goes with him then it shows the respect the player has for our coach.
Deal with it. Just enjoy the time we have left in this season with him at the helm.He won't be playing for the Saints and I am sure Bennett will be giving our club 100%.

He has to start getting things in place for next year.It is not being sneaky.Was always noted he had a wish list as I am sure most of the coaches who are moving on have.

Bruno should have had players signed that he wants to stay.It is not Bennetts fault if they go elsewhere.

Well actually most companies will write into your contract that you can not activley poach staff once you have left for a certain period of time. (not saying it doesn't happen mind you) I think this could all get ugly and de-stabalise the club however I am excited by the prospect of having a more advanced and scientific approach to the football department from next year onwards. I think this has been the seceret to our success in the past 2 years and something bennett has not yet fully embraced but it appears Henjack will!

 

[king_johns]

I'm not that worried, Hannant said he ain't leaving the gold coast to live in another town. Has even said Henjak signing was more of a incentive to remain a bronco.

Michaels has said he is gonna stay. Like Moon would follow the same coach who hasn't given him much of a chance, same with Kemp. Ennis might follow him, but the fact the Broncos have stood by him through his injuries might sway him to stay. If we lose Boyd or Stagg they can be replaced. We are about to have the best centre pairing in the NRL in folau and Hodges, we could put shaved monkey's outside them and they'd look good. We have the forwards to replace Stagg. Hannat if he left for the gold coast, whilst he would be a lose, Thaiday has really stepped up as a front rower, and so has Kenny.

People wanna leave with Bennett, see you later I say, we are the best club in the league world, we will move on like we have done in the past and we will remain strong like we have done so many years, so leave and don't let the door hit you on the way out, but rest assured when you return with your new team, our forward pack will give you a welcome home you wont forget.

Who is going to replace what Stagg brings to the team. He would save more try's for the broncos then any other player could possibly score. He can also slot into several positions.

 

[cameo]

This should be outlawed until seasons end. Conflict of Interest much?

No more so than players agreeing to go to another club the next year and they then play against them.

I've got massive problems with this. If a player signs for another club mid-season, he still gives 100% for his club until seasons end. Benny is the Broncos coach and should be 100% the Broncos coach until seasons end. By obviously having some input into signing support staff for the Dragons, he is acting at least in some small part in the best interests of the Dragons. Not on in my books. [icon_thumbs_do

 

[Russo]

Whoever the new fitness guy is should be brought in immediately, whether that means Hickman stays or goes I'm not sure but he needs to start work now for 2009.

I'm worried that this will be the first of many such announcements and they will have a real distabilising effect on our side. It is already very noticeable that Henjak is doing more and more with media etc, stuff WB hates, but as for the coaching hopefully they are professional enough to work things out

 

[Kee]

I wish the media would be banned from the Club grounds.They are stirring and I fear it will cause the guys to go off their game with all this crap talk they are going on about.
Man!I so hate the media. :evil: