New Bulldogs coach Mick Potter has revealed the shocking phone call that has been urging him to return from his vacation through Gus Gold’s home and back to the NRL coaching ranks.
In front of the media for the first time in Belmore, Potter spoke of his excitement for returning to the NRL, even on the basis of an interim coach, and how amazing it was to receive a call from football’s Phil Gold’s Bulldogs GM.
“I got a phone call a few days ago and I met Gus the day before I started,” Potter said. “It was about 7.30 pm and he was asking if I could come for a conversation. At the end of the conversation, it was on.
“I was actually in North Queensland, Yippun, with just a short break, on a caravan trip to meet my son. I had a couple rings to me about an hour before Jarno.
“I didn’t have a clue what was happening. I got a phone call from Gus and it startled me a bit and I told my wife ‘it was Gus Gold, she wants to help me’. How it came about.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s a big challenge for me and very unexpected. I never thought it would happen but I’m here and ready to go.”
Potter, who coached the Mounties at the NSW Cup, said he was at the right level of distance from the players in order to be able to provide a point of difference from Trent Barrett as well as a level of consistency.
“It was a situation where I wasn’t close to the players, but I knew the players, and it was just a change,” he said.
“It’s not a new face for the players but a person who has some in-depth knowledge of how the system works and the players already know enough to relate to them.”
(Photo by Matt King / Getty Images)
Potter said he has had limited contact with players so far, and left the team’s race in the hands of assistants while keeping his feet under the desk.
“My input this week was minimal, but the assistant coach and Gus did a great job,” he said. “They are well prepared. I am happy where they are and they will give their best account.
“My thoughts were with Trent and for Trent, because I’ve known him for a long time and he’s a great guy and a good coach. I didn’t want to be disrespectful to him and feel like I was kicking his toes in front of the players.
“I wanted to help the players move forward. For Trent, it was a tough gig and it probably reduced him a bit. He still has a coaching future.
“It’s about being honest and direct. Being an interim coach, I can do that and feel very free to be honest. Honestly your first quality as a coach.
(Photo by Mark Colby / Getty Images)
“I’ll still keep my word, but make sure the players know what it takes to be a good NRL player.”
He did not deny himself a full-time job, but insisted that he was happy to work part-time and see where he had gone in the long run.
“I’ve taken a stand on what it is and I’m happy to have it,” Potter said.
“It simply came to our notice then. I feel much more free knowing that I have a certain time.
“I am the interim coach for the rest of the season. At the moment, I’m worried about what I’m doing and I’m leaving my head. “
This is the first role Potter will face in his first game at Leichard Oval on Friday night, after an exciting departure from the West Tigers eight years ago.
Mick Potter. (Photo by Mark Nolan / Getty Images)
The new man said he did not miss the NRL and had little ambition to return to the league or the Super League, where he had successfully coached the Catalan Dragons, St. Helens and the Bradford Bulls.
“I was satisfied with what I was doing, I had other part-time jobs and some part-time coaching that filled the void,” he said. “I was with Mounties, I really enjoyed my time there and I can go back there later.
“I was just thinking about fixing my coaching. I was enjoying it and satisfied with what I was doing.
“I was adding value to the lives of young people and really, I was not worried about what the media would say.
“I have learned a lot in the last few years. I have to be more patient, more subtle with my language and maybe a little harder at times.
“I’m calm, because as you get older, you’ll be softer, and if I were to coach, I’d probably temper my words.”
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images)
Potter has confirmed that Josh will miss Friday’s match due to an ado-car flu outbreak, but Luke Thompson and Matt Burton are likely to be present.
There are rumors that many players will play for their NRL future through Gold Briefing that one third of the playing roster may be released.
Potter said the decision was with Gold and he would only try to get the best out of the players that he had.
“It doesn’t matter what you’re going to do or what you did a year ago, it’s important what your last game was. The players are always giving their best, ”he said.
“I was here for two days but she is really happy. My communication with him was good at first and none of his understanding of the game was second to none.
“When I retired as a player, I said I didn’t want to be a coach. And then I said that if I lost a night’s sleep for coaching, I would give up. And I’m still here.
“It’s just that I think I can make a difference and add value to the lives of young people and I think I can make them better footballers and better people.
“I am just happy to be able to take it. This is a good challenge. At the table, they are only one game away from the next one up.
“The scores reflect that not much has been scored against them except for a few blowouts. If they can hold on to that defense and score some more points by adjusting our attack a bit, then we have a chance. ”