Anderson Talks Up Credentials

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday November 5, 2008

Adrian Proszenko

DANIEL ANDERSON, the favourite to take over the vacant Parramatta coaching job, says the experience he has gained in the English Super League will be a big benefit should he return to the NRL next season.

Anderson arrived in Sydney last night after a family holiday in the US and is expected to be formally interviewed for the position within a fortnight. After a successful four-year stint at St Helens, the 41-year-old is the man most likely to replace Michael Hagan, who shocked Eels officials by resigning with a year left on his contract.

In his first interview since the Eels job became available, Anderson said his experiences overseas - with the New Zealand Warriors and English glamour club St Helens - had made him a more rounded coach.

"I'm more experienced, there's no doubt about it," Anderson told the Herald at Sydney Airport last night. "I've had a good time, I've enjoyed myself. I've had success and I've had some adversity [to contend with]."

The former New Zealand Test coach said family reasons were behind his decision to return to Sydney's western suburbs.

"The kids [were the reason for returning]," he said. "My daughter starts high school this year. I promised her when we went [overseas] that we'd be back by the time she started high school. It's just time to come home. It's been eight years away from Sydney."

He was less forthcoming about the Eels job, however, deflecting questions about his chances.

"I don't do 'would've', 'could've', 'should'ves' - I don't do theoreticals or rhetoricals," he said.

Asked if he was surprised by Hagan's departure, he replied: "I don't know anything about that. I'd prefer not to comment on things I don't know about."

It is understood Melbourne assistant Stephen Kearney has scheduled an interview with Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald in between his commitments with the Kiwis national team. Other potential contenders include Sharks assistant Shane Flanagan, Bulldogs assistant Jim Dymock, former Cowboys mentor Graham Murray and Parramatta pair David Fairleigh and Matt Cameron.

However, Anderson remains the unbackable favourite. Sportingbet Australia framed a market on the position but was forced to close it last month when 95 per cent of the money - including one sizeable wager at $1.22 - flooded in for the former Saints mentor. He also has the added advantage of having success with the Eels as a lower-grade coach.

While he did not want to comment specifically on the Eels job, it is no secret Anderson craves another crack at the NRL, in which he took the Warriors to the grand final in 2002.

"I didn't know a few years ago that I'd be at the Warriors and I didn't realise I would go to St Helens," he said about his career path to date. "You can't ever say what's going to happen. I don't know what's going to happen in six or seven weeks."

His manager, Jim Banaghan, heads overseas on a week-long trip today, which means any job interview - and subsequent announcement on the position - is still at least two weeks away.

"Since the position has been vacant I have registered Daniel's interest," Banaghan said last night. "I haven't had the opportunity to speak with Daniel about it at all but now that he's back I'll try to catch up with him [today].

"In the next fortnight I envisage officially catching up with Denis and seeing which process he wishes to go through."

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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