Tim Sheens floated as left-field option for NSW State of Origin coach as short-list revealed

The search for a new NSW coach to replace Michael Maguire continues with a number of big names mentioned to take over the role, but one name going under the radar is that of Tim Sheens. On Wednesday, NSW boss David Trodden admitted there wasn't a favourite yet to take over Maguire having just about shut down the possibility of a full-time NRL coach taking the position.

While suggesting the interview process hasn't started, former Blues winger and current Roosters assistant coach Matt King has reportedly emerged as a frontrunner for the role. Former NSW coach Laurie Daley is also a big name thrown into the mix.

However, one name that has not been mentioned is that of Sheens. The four-time premiership winning coach has not taken a head role since his departure from the Tigers last year.

The 74-year-old has not been mentioned as a frontrunner, but Joel Caine from SEN Radio claimed Sheens would have the right experience and temperament to take over from Maguire. "I think Tim Sheens. Why is no one talking about him," Smith said. "He's coached all these big big names."

Sheens won three premierships with the Canberra Raiders, before delivering the Wests Tigers a premiership in 2005. Sheens returned to the Tigers in 2023. But departed the club before the end of the season to allow Benji Marshall to take the reins.

While Sheens name has been thrown around, Trodden mentioned there are 12 potential candidates currently ready to take on the roll. While the candidates are largely unknown, Trodden claimed it was unlikely either Craig Bellamy or Ivan Cleary would take the role in 2025.

Ivan Cleary and Craig Bellamy theory shut down

On Tuesday, Trodden spoke to NRL commentator Andrew Voss about the current search for a new coach. Trodden admitted they hadn't ruled out full-time NRL coaches as candidates. However, he quickly shut down any suggestion it would likely be Cleary or Bellamy taking the role in 2025.

"The answer is it is less likely. That is not because we have a previous position against appointing a NRL coach. We don't," he said on SEN Radio. "The reality is most NRL coaches have clubs that won't allow them to split their time between a NRL job and a State of Origin job. The job has become so big it is really difficult to do."

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He added the process has changed for selecting Origin teams for NSW and it would make it a lot harder for current coaches to take on the role. "One of the things you might have seen last year was the enormous amount of time Maguire invested into the the current players and the past players...that is not something a current NRL player can do," Trodden added.

"Historically when we had NRL coaches doing State of Origin jobs, we had selectors picking the team. That doesn't happen anymore. That doesn't happen anymore. The coach picks the team. What happens if the NRL coach is faced with the prospect of leaving out his own players."

NSW Origin coaching shortlist revealed

King has emerged as a leading candidate for the role, which would most likely see him leave his Roosters position if give the opportunity. Daley and Trent Barrett have also been mentioned as frontrunners. However, Trodden mentioned there are 'a dozen' candidates in the running and a decision will be made by the end of the year. The Daily Telegraph reported a shortlist of names leading the charge to take the NSW job: Brian Smith, Geoff Toovey, Paul McGregor, King, Ennis and Daley.

Former NSW coach Daley took over the reins in 2014 and ended Queensland's supremacy in a famous series victory. However, he left in 2017 after a string of disappointing results. King is the favourite to take the role having been an assistant coach under Maguire in the 2024 series victory.