The Serve

Why a five year deal for Cartwright?

John Cartwright has had a superb first season with the Titans. He’s taken an expansion team to the brink of the finals. They may still get there. Even if they were to be slaughtered over the final month, nine wins would still be a terrific starting point. Today his success was rewarded with his three year term extended to five.

Why?

Cartwright had another two years left, so with that security, he was not a man in demand. This isn’t a situation like when Jason Taylor was quickly promoted to run the show at Souths. Taylor had options. Cartwright seems to have a tremendous relationship with his players, but who is to say that will stay the case? Players can get sick of the same message.

CEO Michael Searle has hardly put a foot wrong since heading the franchise from its embryonic stages. A culture of family and loyalty emanates. His loyalty here was unnecessary. He need only look at the examples of other recent five year deals.

In the midst of Parramatta’s landmark season of 2001, Brian Smith was given a five year deal. He was in the box seat, with his contract up and his side flying. History shows the Eels went sour. 2003 and 2004 were awful seasons. Jamie Lyon’s defection a prime example of player unrest. However the club couldn’t afford to remove him. 2006 was a write off as well, until Smith departed. Parramatta couldn’t control its destiny because they were stuck.

The Richmond Tigers are producing one of the worst AFL seasons in memory. Four coaches are on the market, including their favourite son Kevin Sheedy, plus a host of up and comers, but Richmond is stuck with Terry Wallace because he has two years left. Far too big a payout.

John Cartwright appears to be on the right track. However as a coach he’s yet to win a premiership as a coach. Yet to win a final. Yet to make a final. The time to assess his future would have been at the end of next season, or early 2009. If he’s a winner, a deal with the Titans would have been done anyway. Coaches rarely, if ever, leave a club when they’re happy and winning. This is a decision which can only backfire.