Dramatic fallout at Bulldogs as Trent Barrett quits as coach
Trent Barrett has quit as Canterbury's coach after the Bulldogs' poor start to the 2022 campaign left the club last on the competition ladder.
A 16-6 loss to Newcastle last Friday night at Suncorp Stadium in the opening match of the NRL's Magic Round proved the final straw for Bulldogs officials, who spent the weekend discussing Barrett's future.
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It's understood Barrett took the decision out of the club's hands by quitting ahead of an emergency board meeting on Monday morning.
Speculation Barrett's time at the club was done ramped up on Monday morning when the club cancelled a scheduled media opportunity with several players including captain Josh Jackson.
It has been reported Bulldogs director of football Phil Gould informed the players of Barrett's decision before cancelling Monday's training session and sending them home.
Barrett's decision to quit the role comes after he orchestrated just five wins from 34 matches in charge.
Those results came despite an expensive recruitment drive that has included the additions of Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton, Tevita Pangai, Matt Dufty and Paul Vaughan.
Gould has been a staunch supporter of Barrett and the pair took time out over the NRL's Magic Round in Brisbane to share a few beers on the Gold Coast amid the growing speculation.
The Bulldogs are yet to confirm or deny the reports but there was a strong indication something was happening behind closed doors when the club cancelled a scheduled media opportunity with players on Monday morning.
Channel Nine's Danny Weidler revealed on Monday morning that forward Paul Vaughan was the first Bulldogs player to speak out about reports of Barrett's exit.
He claims that the former representative prop was unimpressed by the presence of reporters at the embattled NRL club's training facilities.
BULLDOGS UPDATE: Paul Vaughan first Dogs player to speak since the players were told of Trent Barrett quitting . As he drove out of Belmore he chipped the media: “Do you have to be here? You are the worst kind of people.” @9NewsSyd @NRLonNine
— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) May 16, 2022
The Daily Telegraph later revealed that Bulldogs supremo Gould sent the team home from training in the wake of the Barrett news.
The report says the players were told not to return until Wednesday, when it's expected a new coach will have been installed at the club.
It's understood a series of meetings involving Gould and Bulldogs captain Jackson were taking place on Monday morning.
Barrett's mooted departure has already sparked discussion about possible replacements with premiership-winning duo Shane Flanagan, whose son Kyle is on the Bulldogs' books, and Paul Green thought to be early frontrunners.
Others being speculated as potential candidates include St Helens coach Kristian Woolf and Cameron Ciraldo, who is an assistant at Penrith like Barrett was before joining the Bulldogs.
Trent Barrett departs after a torrid stint as Bulldogs coach
Canterbury face Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval this Friday before a home game against St George Illawarra at Belmore Sports Ground the following week.
While Barrett enjoyed some sympathy from league fans on social media, many suggested his poor record at the Dogs could only lead to one outcome.
EXCLUSIVE:Trent Barrett no longer Bulldogs coach. I understand he quit last night @9NewsSyd @NRLonNine
— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) May 16, 2022
BREAKING: @NRL_Bulldogs players have been sent home from training after Phil Gould informs them Trent Barrett has quit. @telegraph_sport https://t.co/LrYvy4wAc1
— David Riccio (@DaveRic1) May 16, 2022
With all due respect to Trent Barrett, i can’t say he’s sacking was undeserved.
The dogs squad is better than 16th. His recruitment has been very hit and miss. Coupled with his time at Manly, i don’t see him getting another gig.— Dom Sullivan (@domsullivan18) May 16, 2022
Trent Barrett with five wins from 34 matches.
5 from 34 looks more like my batting score than an NRL coaching record. #NRL— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) May 16, 2022
Adios Trent Barrett ... 5 wins since start of 2021..enough is enough
— JayMihaly (@jay_mihaly) May 16, 2022
Looks as though Trent Barrett has jumped before he was pushed.
It’s going to be interesting to see if and how the attack, in particular, changes upon his departure. pic.twitter.com/jqR2Ec8Np6— Jason Oliver (@JasonNRL) May 16, 2022
with AAP
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