SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20 2014 SPORT 53 Cleal can pick ’em, ROOSTERS 31 not half COWBOYS 30 Potter SYDNEY ROOSTERS THEY hadn’t even taken a Tries: D Tupou 2 M Jennings knock in the NRL when rugby J Maloney M Pearce Goals: J Maloney 5 league recruitment guru Noel Field Goals: J Maloney “Crusher” Cleal likened the NORTH QUEENSLAND young halves to Cooper Cronk. Tries: G Cooper E Lowe R Lui It was February 2010 and M Scott J Thurston Daly Cherry-Evans and Trent Goals: J Thurston 5 speaks Hodkinson were jostling for Referees: G Badger, S Hayne Matt Orford’s vacant Manly Crowd: 18,355 at Allianz Stadium No.7 jumper. There was no doubt about it – Cleal, the Sea Eagles’ highly respected talent identifier, and coach Des Hasler had two ex- ceptional options to consider. out on “No one had heard of Cooper Cronk when Matt Orford left Melbourne,’’ Cleal said four years ago. “I don’t think anyone was aware of him, then all of a sud- den Cooper Cronk has played in four grand finals and has sacking played for Australia. They (Hodkinson/Cherry-Evans) have the opportunity to put By DAVID RICCIO and the urgent need to make a their hands up and be that decision on who they wanted player to play 20 NRL games MICK Potter drove into the as head coach in 2015, were in their debut year. That’s what carpark at Concord Oval just discussed. “They were good. I Cooper Cronk did.” before 9am on Wednesday. don’t know if my cards were Nostradamus Cleal was not There to meet him was marked from the beginning, far off. Hodkinson would win Wests Tigers chief executive but they heard everything I the battle and go on to play 24 Grant Mayer. had to say,’’ Potter said. top-grade games in his one and Potter has been involved in GRANT MAYER only season for the Sea Eagles rugby league long enough to Unlike many angry fans of before linking with the Bull- know what was coming. the merged club, Potter re- dogs on a deal worth double After 22 tumultuous fused to point fingers at Mayer what Manly were prepared to months, his position as coach as the reason for his dismissal, pay at the time. was over. claiming the pair shared a Cherry-Evans, the confi- “Within the space of a cou- ‘good working relationship’. dent kid from Mackay, was ple of sentences I knew that Still, Potter made it clear at forced to cool his heels playing my role at the Tigers was fin- Concord on Wednesday he for Manly’s feeder NRL team ished,’’ Potter told The NT was far from pleased with his Sunshine Coast in the Queens- News yesterday. “He (Mayer) sacking. land Cup. He too would go on didn’t mince his words. “I just questioned him to a glorious debut 2011 season, “I went into the office and (Mayer) on the reasoning,’’ playing in all 24 games, capped cleaned my desk out and then Potter said. “I was in the wrong with a premiership ring and met a mate for a coffee.’’ place at the wrong time.” selection in Australia’s team at In his first interview since I’M NOT FINISHED the end of the year. his sacking from the dysfunc- Potter has coached all over “At the time, they were tional Tigers, Potter has stuck the world while as a player, he showing potential,’’ Cleal said true to his character and integ- was a two-time Dally M win- this week when reflecting on rity, refusing to fire bullets at ner. Rugby league runs his crystal ball work.” James Maloney celebrates a try during the Sydney Roosters’ victory against North Queensland his former club. through his veins. The pair will collide in to- Cowboys at Allianz Stadium last night Picture: MARK EVANS While Potter admits he “But whether a head coach- night’s elimination semi-final would dearly love to have re- ing opportunity comes up is at Allianz Stadium, Hodkinson ceived the autonomy that the another thing,’’ Potter said. in blue and white and Cherry- Cowboys dealt a late heartbreaker soon-to-be appointed Tigers “People know that I’m Evans in Manly’s corner. coach will be afforded, he felt trustworthy and loyal and “This Saturday will be a By JOSH MASSOUD and, for third straight year, it also be the first time since 1938 comfortable that he was given would want to help the organ- very interesting contest,” Cleal fell against the Cowboys. With the two teams have met in a fi- a fair hearing in front of the isation and my priority has al- said. THE fairytale match-up is 56 seconds left Johnathan nals game. new board to stake his claim. ways been that the team comes alive, but only after a contest Thurston raced away to score Last night’s result was a THE BOARD first and that won’t deviate.’’ that defied reality itself. what appeared to be the cruel blow for Thurston, who Potter spoke with both the BROWN TIGER The Roosters maintained match-winner, only for replays produced one of his finest per- now defunct and the newly ap- Of the many candidates their premiership defence after to reveal a tiny knock-on from formances to single-handedly pointed board of the Wests Ti- being bandied to replace him denying the greatest comeback Robert Lui in the lead-up. haul the Cowboys back and gers on three separate in 2015 at the Tigers, Potter in rugby league history, with Unlike previous officiating negate a finals shocker from occasions over three months. knows his old mate from St North Queensland charging crimes against the Cowboys, fullback Michael Morgan, who On each meeting he discus- George-Illawarra, Nathan home after trailing 30-0 in this was the correct call and dropped four balls and con- sed a range of issues which Brown best. even time. there could be no arguments. ceded Mitchell Pearce’s open- were ultimately driven by the “It’s going to be really excit- With 24 minutes remaining There can also be no argu- ing try with a horrible kick. need for change and to take ing for the next head coach,’’ the scores were level, and it ment that next Friday night’s The Roosters looked home the club forward. Everything Potter said. took a James Maloney drop qualifying final between the and hosed after racing to a from the day-to-day running “I think all the names that goal with four minutes left to Roosters and Rabbitohs at 30-0 lead with five unans- of the club, the need to update have been tossed up would be separate the scores. ANZ Stadium will be one of wered tries but the Thurston- training facilities at Concord, good for the organisation, but I But there was time for one the most anticipated game’s in inspired Cowboys nearly what was required to steamline know Nathan pretty well and Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans last act of drama in this epic, the code’s recent history. It will pulled off a miracle. the club’s crippling salary cap … he would do a great job.’’ Who WILL SHE SING FOR THIS WEEK? THE AFL FINALS Place your bets before Footy’s Fat Lady sings with $4 for either team to win by 15 points or less for both games. Available until TattsBet liability reaches $35,000. 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