Corey Parker calls out Michael Ennis mistake after NSW's 'strange' Laurie Daley appointment
The Queensland Maroons great has expressed his surprise over the NSW Blues' decision.
Queensland State of Origin great Corey Parker has questioned whether NSW would have been wiser to go with a younger coach with recent experience in the NRL environment. The Blues unveiled Laurie Daley as the new coach on Monday, bringing back the NSW legend after he previously served in the role from 2013 to 2017.
Part of Daley's appeal was the fact he could bring Craig Bellamy in as an advisor, and the NSWRL board went with the Canberra Raiders legend ahead of Blues assistant coach Matt King. Many had predicted King would get the gig to replace Michael Maguire after he served as Madge's main assistant in 2024 and helped mastermind the Blues' series victory.
But by bringing back Daley the NSWRL board have gone with a coach with little experience this decade. King has worked with the NSW team for the last few seasons, and has been an assistant at the Sydney Roosters since 2017.
And according to Parker, the Blues might have made a huge mistake in not appointing someone like King or Michael Ennis. “I was a little surprised,” Parker said on SEN radio on Tuesday about Daley's selection.
“He was up against a really formidable Queensland during that (first stint) and it was during eight consecutive series wins for Queensland. He’s a terrific guy and I know him well (but) he’s left-field for me. He’s been there and done that and I guess it suits the powers above.
"I thought there was a real opportunity to go with someone like Matt King, Michael Ennis or Brett White. One of these younger guys who have been inside systems week in and week out of NRL sides.
“You just have to look at Billy Slater and his innovative ideas and what he’s been able to provide Queensland over the past few seasons...Billy had no head coach (experience) and he handled (Queensland) beautifully.
“I think Michael Ennis would be a terrific appointment but they’ve gone back in time to Laurie. I just thought it was a strange call from NSW. If I’m being fair, I was just really surprised.” If I am being brutally honest, I was a little surprised."
Craig Bellamy factor a huge positive for Laurie Daley
However Parker did admit the Bellamy factor is a big win for NSW. "[Daley] brings great passion and great belief in the Blues jersey, but from a coaching perspective he has been out of the loop for some time," Parker added. "That is why you need someone like a Craig Bellamy.
"X and O's do play a part, but it is what is between the ears. It is about harnessing what that is all about...collectively as a unit you need people to believe in the Blues jersey. Don't underestimate what Bellamy does for this team. While Daley is the head coach, Bellamy will command respect."
Laurie Daley confident he still knows how to coach
Speaking on SEN in Sydney, leading commentator Andrew Voss admitted it was a concern that Daley has been out of the coaching game for so long. "By the time Origin rolls around in 2025 it will have been eight years since Laurie last coached," Voss said. "It's impossible to escape the fact he was sacked, and he hasn't done any coaching since then. That's the unusual aspect of it. He hasn't actually gone away and coached anywhere."
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Despite not coaching for so long, Daley is confident he has what it takes. Many remember Daley as the man who broke Queensland's eight-year streak, but he lost three in a row after that.
"I'd like to think I am a better coach and I've learned a lot," Daley said on Monday. "The thing about rugby league people is you never lose the love or the passion for the game. You watch it a lot.
"The position I have in radio, people are always asking you about that. And you are giving an opinion on what you see is happening. Even as a person who just sits and watches rugby league, if I see something I'll write it down, or I'll record it. I have it in my own memory bank. I think I am always trying to stay relevant and up to speed with the game."
