Following Brad Fittler's announcement that he was stepping down as NSW State of Origin coach, Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart have emerged as the leading contenders to replace him.
Fittler had made his case to extend his contract, but ultimately withdrew himself from contention after the board offered only a one-year extension and a significant pay cut.
Matty Johns, a former Newcastle Knights player, believes that the NSW coach should not be required to be independent of an NRL team.
He argues that a full-time NRL coach like Bellamy or Stuart would be well-suited for the position given the current circumstances.