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New details emerge about how NSW players were ignored with appointment of Laurie Daley

Laurie Daley's appointment continues to divide NSW fans ahead of the 2025 series.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·4-min read

Laurie Daley's appointment as NSW coach for a second time has divided many fans in the state and it has been reported only two candidates were interviewed for the role with players 'pushing' for Matt King. NSW's decision to hand Daley a second attempt at Blues coach, having only won five of 16 games during his last reign, has left many NRL fans stunned with the appointment of Craig Bellamy as his assistant a pivotal factor to the move.

Although reports have emerged the current playing group were keen on King, who they worked under last year, to step-up to the main role. Daley appeared to be the heavy favourite of the NSW hierarchy and bringing in Bellamy as an assistant coach got him the job for the second time after departing in 2017.

Reports have emerged some of the current players preferred Matt King to be promoted as NSW coach instead of Laurie Daley (pictured left) with only two candidate interviewed for the role. (Getty Images)
Reports have emerged some of the current players preferred Matt King to be promoted as NSW coach instead of Laurie Daley (pictured left) with only two candidate interviewed for the role. (Getty Images)

But players were reportedly keen to work under King who was part of Michael Maguire's coaching team last year when NSW defeated Queensland at Suncorp to win the series. King was keen to bring in former NSW captain Boyd Cordner and Peter Wallace to the coaching staff.

Cordner has a relationship with some of the players, while Wallace has worked with Penrith players such as Dylan Edwards and Nathan Cleary. Channel Nine reporter Danny Weidler claimed the current squad were keen on King to be promoted and keep the ball rolling under the current system. "Yes, there was a push for Matt King. No doubt. From the players," Weidler said on Footy Talk Podcast.

However, NSW boss David Trodden is reportedly a big fan of the Canberra legend and Daley's pitch of involving master-coach Bellamy was too hard to pass up. Surprisingly, reporter Michael Chammas claimed only two candidates were interviewed - not one of the leading candidates Michael Ennis - which showed Daley could have always been the frontrunner.

"Because Trodden has a high opinion of Laurie Daley, he wanted to give him the job in 2017. A lot of the people against the appointment of Laurie Daley back then...are no longer there. So I felt Laurie Daley was always going to be the favourite," Chammas added on the podcast.

"There wasn't a clear-cut guy who could walk into the job. Matt King got an interview. No one else." Chammas added that he felt Daley was always favourite in the process and more candidates should have been considered. "How do you not interview the other people. Honestly, how do you not interview Michael Ennis? How do you not interview Paul McGregor? How do you only have two people...I just think the process wasn't thorough enough."

Earlier this week, Queensland great Corey Parker admitted his surprise the Blues went for Daley when there were younger candidates wanting a crack. Parker claimed King or Ennis would have been a fresh look for NSW, which would have followed in Queensland's route of appointing Billy Slater a few years ago.

But if Chammas' claim is correct, Ennis wasn't close to getting the job with King also facing a battle. “I was a little surprised,” Parker said on SEN radio on Tuesday about Daley's selection.

Laurie Daley reacts after a State of Origin game.
New Blues coach Laurie Daley (pictured) was reportedly the frontrunner to get the job with only two candidates interviewed.

“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.

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“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."