Brian Smith has been linked with a move back to Hull when his contract expires

Hull refusing to open contract talks at this time with John Kear, his contract ends at the end of this current season, beats me how Smith is so highly rated, never did anything in uk, or oz....
John Kear doing superb job in uk at hull, if i was hull, would get him signed before aussie club comes in for him, lots of shake up in oz, especially with hagan and elliott moving on, also terry matterson firm favourite for raiders job.

Abandoning Cas so soon??

tough job at cas, played them last week , didnt get in our half too much, can see them struggling this year, even though TM states he will be stayin at cas, and has no interest in the raiders job....

BRIAN Smith has rocketed to favouritism for the Newcastle coaching job next year in the most stunning development yet on the NRL coaching merry-go-round.

If the Knights end up signing the Parramatta coach it would schedule - before this season has even begun - an amazing swap of coaches between the two clubs at the end of the season.

Michael Hagan has already signed to coach the Eels for three years after he finishes at Newcastle at the end of this season. Parramatta opted not to offer Smith a new contract when his current deal runs out at the end of this year.

There was talk earlier in the week that twice premiership-winning coach Chris Anderson was looking good for the Knights job. Anderson was originally overlooked despite making himself available when Newcastle first went searching for a replacement for Hagan, with the Knights instead courting Tim Sheens (Wests Tigers) and Matthew Elliott without success.

But the Herald understands from sources in Newcastle that Smith is the preferred choice.

Sources also suggested Smith could have met Knights captain Andrew Johns in Newcastle last night or will meet with him in the near future.

Smith always refuses to provide any hints on his possible future and has made it clear in the past that he is not in the habit of applying for jobs. Presumably, the Knights have headhunted him.

Asked to comment on conjecture that Smith was in line for the job, Newcastle chief executive Ken Conway said last night: "I'm not going to comment on any possible candidate. It's just not fair to anyone who may have applied or whom we may be looking at.

"You are the third person from the media today to tell me there is strong mail about a coach and each time it has been a different coach."

Parramatta assistant coach Peter Sharp and last year's premiership-winning Premier League coach with the Eels, Jason Taylor, both applied some time ago for the Newcastle job.

Sharp was in the running for the Knights job along with Newcastle's Premier League coach David Fairleigh. But the fact the Knights delayed a coaching appointment after missing out on both Sheens and Elliott obviously wasn't a good sign for Sharp or Fairleigh.

The news about Newcastle's interest in Smith will add even further spice - if that is possible - to next Saturday's first-round game between the Knights and Parramatta at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

Smith is also a contender for the Canberra job next year. Current Raiders coach Matthew Elliott will finish up at the end of this season and move to Penrith, replacing John Lang.

The board of the Raiders is due to decide on Monday whether to offer Smith an interview.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/mu...191849490.html

david fairleigh, that is one hard bastard.....
superb over here at saints, alongside Peter Shiels, especially when we socked to the broncos in the WCC 2001, in a game where they both made their debuts......
How do you all think St. helens have started, impressed, not even hit 2nd gear yet.....
See you all soon.
John The pommie.

Posted: 07/03/2006 - 20:07
• Outgoing Eels coach, Brian Smith, has officially agreed to take over as Newcastle coach from 2007 after signing a contract with the Knights earlier tonight.

Followed by Nathan Hindmarsh???

We can but dream. I wouldn't be surprised to see both Newcastle and Parramatta taking on the other's talent in 2007.