IF John Kear is to become the coach of Catalans Dragons in 2011, the French club must first negotiate a transfer fee with Wakefield, ‘League Express’ understands.
Kear still has another season to run on his contract with the Wildcats, and any potential move hinges on whether or not the two clubs can come to a financial agreement.
We revealed last week that talks had taken place between Kear and Catalans director Christophe Jouffret, and the former Hull and Sheffield Eagles boss was quoted last week as saying he was “flattered” by the link, while emphasising that he’s still contracted to Wakefield.
The Dragons have drawn up a shortlist of 12 candidates for the post, which will be vacated by incumbent coach Kevin Walters at the end of the season, and chairman Bernard Guasch confirmed that Kear is in the frame.
One player who definitely won’t be at Belle Vue next season is long-serving centre Jason Demetriou, who was told by the club last week that his contract, which expires at the end of the season, would not be renewed.
Demetriou is in his seventh season with the Wildcats, and admitted that the news came as a massive shock to him.
"I wont lie, it's been a very tough week in my life,” he told the BBC’s George Riley.
"I don't want to leave Wakefield - I never have - and this has hit me hard in the stomach, but I completely understand and respect Wakefield's decision.”
The 34-year-old confirmed that he had not entered talks with any other clubs, but admitted that he’d welcome an approach from a Super League outfit.
“I'm in the top 25 metre-makers in Super League this year so I clearly put in a lot work both in the forwards and centres.
“I play 80 minutes a week, rarely miss a game and I'll give my next team as much passion as I've given for Wakefield."
Having cemented his place high in the regard of the Wildcats faithful, Demetriou will leave the club with fond memories.
"I hope the Wakefield fans remember me for giving everything.
"I have had some of the best and worst moments of my life here and when my career ends you can guarantee I'll be back on the terrace at Belle Vue with the fans”
"The one regret I do have about this is that after the service I've given to Wakefield I wasn't even told the news by the club,” he continued.
“It would have been nice if the chairman had talked to me about it personally.”
Thursday 24 June 2010
Wednesday 9 June 2010
Cunningham pays tribute to Fairleigh
ST HELENS legend Keiron Cunningham has picked out former team-mate David Fairleigh as the man who’s had the biggest influence on his development as a player.
Fairleigh spent just one season at Knowsley Road back in 2001, but Cunningham says the impact he had on the club during that time will long be remembered.
“I’m fortunate to have played with some fantastic players from overseas during my career but the one that’s had the biggest influence on me is David Fairleigh,” said Cunningham.
The former North Sydney Bears and Newcastle Knights man spent eleven years as an NRL player before finishing his career in the Super League with Saints.
“What Dave Farleigh did for St Helens during one season was amazing. He helped me out so much with my game.
“He helped me to understand what sort of standard of play people expected from me - I’m still good friends with him now.”
Fairleigh returned to Australia following retirment as a player and went on to coach the Knights, before taking up a position as assistant coach at Parramatta Eels. He is the prospective head coach of Central Coast Bears, should their bid for a place in the NRL in 2013 be accepted.
With the Saints yet to name a replacement for Mick Potter, Fairleigh could be surprise candidate for the soon-to-be vacant post.
“I just like somebody who has a similar mindset as me,” said Cunningham on what he looks for in a coach.
“I'm an honest guy who wants to work hard and train hard and whoever fits that bill seems to have done well at the club.
“I've played under seven or eight coaches during my time at St Helens and every one of them has got their flaws and their good points.”
Saints chairman Eamonn McManus is to fly out to Australia to step up the search for the coach that will oversee the team’s move to a new stadium in 2011.
Mal Meninga, another former St Helens, player is thought to be in the frame while current assistant coach Keiron Purtill has also expressed his interest in the position.
Fairleigh spent just one season at Knowsley Road back in 2001, but Cunningham says the impact he had on the club during that time will long be remembered.
“I’m fortunate to have played with some fantastic players from overseas during my career but the one that’s had the biggest influence on me is David Fairleigh,” said Cunningham.
The former North Sydney Bears and Newcastle Knights man spent eleven years as an NRL player before finishing his career in the Super League with Saints.
“What Dave Farleigh did for St Helens during one season was amazing. He helped me out so much with my game.
“He helped me to understand what sort of standard of play people expected from me - I’m still good friends with him now.”
Fairleigh returned to Australia following retirment as a player and went on to coach the Knights, before taking up a position as assistant coach at Parramatta Eels. He is the prospective head coach of Central Coast Bears, should their bid for a place in the NRL in 2013 be accepted.
With the Saints yet to name a replacement for Mick Potter, Fairleigh could be surprise candidate for the soon-to-be vacant post.
“I just like somebody who has a similar mindset as me,” said Cunningham on what he looks for in a coach.
“I'm an honest guy who wants to work hard and train hard and whoever fits that bill seems to have done well at the club.
“I've played under seven or eight coaches during my time at St Helens and every one of them has got their flaws and their good points.”
Saints chairman Eamonn McManus is to fly out to Australia to step up the search for the coach that will oversee the team’s move to a new stadium in 2011.
Mal Meninga, another former St Helens, player is thought to be in the frame while current assistant coach Keiron Purtill has also expressed his interest in the position.
Brown tips Crabtree to win back place
NATHAN Brown is backing Eorl Crabtree to re-claim his spot in the England squad, after missing out on selection for this week’s international against France.
Crabtree was given his first England cap by Tony Smith but, despite featuring for his country during the 2008 World Cup and last year’s Four Nations tournament, has been omitted from Steve McNamara’s first selection as national coach.
"It’s disappointing for Eorl because I thought he did a really good job for England last year,” said Brown.
"There has been a change of coach and sometimes that means that there is a change of personnel, but it gives Eorl the chance to remind Steve what he can do in the next 6-8 weeks.”
The Giants are one of three English-based Super League teams to not have a player called up for the squad - with Wakefield and Hull KR the other two - but Brown remained diplomatic in response to the oversight.
“The representative sides generally get picked from winning teams and I think the fact that we have had some defeats in the last month, albeit against good sides, has played its part.
“The likes of Luke Robinson and Kevin Brown may feel slightly aggrieved that they haven’t been selected, but again, I think if the team had won the last few games it may have been somewhat different and it might have helped them get selected over others.
"I’d much rather they get selected off the back of good form for the tour at the end of the year, which is the big one against Australia and New Zealand.”
The Giants welcomed back Larne Patrick to the squad that faced Bradford, and were set to hand a debut to 22-year-old winger Jermaine McGilvray.
McGilvray has spent the first half of 2010 at Championship side Barrow on a dual-registration contract but comes into the reckoning following injuries to threequarters Jamahl Lolesi and Paul Whatuira.
Sunday came too soon for long-term absentee Simon Finnigan who, as reported in ‘League Express’ last month, is close to a return following close-season surgery on his back and shoulder.
Crabtree was given his first England cap by Tony Smith but, despite featuring for his country during the 2008 World Cup and last year’s Four Nations tournament, has been omitted from Steve McNamara’s first selection as national coach.
"It’s disappointing for Eorl because I thought he did a really good job for England last year,” said Brown.
"There has been a change of coach and sometimes that means that there is a change of personnel, but it gives Eorl the chance to remind Steve what he can do in the next 6-8 weeks.”
The Giants are one of three English-based Super League teams to not have a player called up for the squad - with Wakefield and Hull KR the other two - but Brown remained diplomatic in response to the oversight.
“The representative sides generally get picked from winning teams and I think the fact that we have had some defeats in the last month, albeit against good sides, has played its part.
“The likes of Luke Robinson and Kevin Brown may feel slightly aggrieved that they haven’t been selected, but again, I think if the team had won the last few games it may have been somewhat different and it might have helped them get selected over others.
"I’d much rather they get selected off the back of good form for the tour at the end of the year, which is the big one against Australia and New Zealand.”
The Giants welcomed back Larne Patrick to the squad that faced Bradford, and were set to hand a debut to 22-year-old winger Jermaine McGilvray.
McGilvray has spent the first half of 2010 at Championship side Barrow on a dual-registration contract but comes into the reckoning following injuries to threequarters Jamahl Lolesi and Paul Whatuira.
Sunday came too soon for long-term absentee Simon Finnigan who, as reported in ‘League Express’ last month, is close to a return following close-season surgery on his back and shoulder.
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