Nine NRL teams exit; coaching quality debated as some face scrutiny while others seek championships.
As the NRL season says goodbye to 9 of its 17 teams, the jury is out on the quality of coaching performance at clubs where players are now on holiday, rather than preparing for finals.
Messrs Adam O'Brien (Knights) and Des Hasler (Titans) have already been sentenced to their fate; the coaching wilderness. While the man known as Benji Marshall (Tigers) and Jason Ryles (Eels) brought their teams back from the abyss, coaches Anthony Siebold (Sea Eagles) Shane Flanaghan (Dragons) and Todd Payten (Cowboys) spent much of the season staring at it.
Over the coming weeks, we could see Ivan Cleary canonised as the patron saint of Penrith should he guide his side to a fifth premiership in succession.
If any of Andrew Webster (Warriors), Trent Robinson (Roosters), Michael Maguire (Broncos), Craig Fitzgibbon (Sharks), Cameron Ciraldo (Bulldogs) or Ricky Stuart (Raiders) lead their troops to championship victory, their fans will be questioning if they are indeed coached by someone with the ability...