A new dawn approaches for Elliott and Panthers
April 30th 2009 01:48
Matthew Elliott’s coaching career at the Penrith Panthers was on death’s door at the end of last season. An inability to get the best out of a superb roster nearly cost him his job at the foot of the mountains.
But after a bright start to 2009, Elliott has secured a deserved two year contract extension which will run until 2011.
After experiencing coaching success with the Bradford Bulls in the English Super League, Elliott secured the Canberra Raiders head coaching position in 2002, where he would guide the Raiders to four finals in five seasons.
His best season as coach came in 2003, when the Raiders finished inside the top four, only to lose both their finals games against the Storm and the Warriors respectively.
Despite never being in the running for a premiership, Elliott seemed to get the best out of a Raiders team that had to make do with a limited player roster which was constantly plagued by injury and suspension.
Elliott’s respect in the coaching arena had grown substantially, with many at the time labelling him as one of the NRL’s finest coaches.
All this hype was enough for the Panthers to sack premiership winning coach John Lang at the end of 2006 and appoint Elliott as coach for the 2007 season.
Judging from what he had achieved at the Raiders, Elliott was expected to guide the Panthers firmly back into premiership contention, considering the 44 year old had more to work with at the foot of the mountains then he did in Canberra.
The lofty expectations, however, were met with disaster.
In his first season in charge, Elliott led the Panthers to a wooden spoon in a twist that was thought unimaginable at the start of the season.
While Elliott’s fortunes could only go up the following year, he still could not manage to wake Penrith from their slumber, finishing a disappointing twelfth.
In the space of two seasons, Elliott went from Penrith’s saviour to become the scapegoat for the team’s shocking performances.
With many expecting him to get the sack at the end of last season, luck finally found its way to Elliott and he was granted just enough time to see Penrith finally produce the results necessary to see him keep his position.
With the expectation of another wooden spoon upon them, the Panthers have managed to win three games so far this season, which has secured Elliott a two year contract extension.
After two years of darkness, Elliott and his Panthers are finally approaching a dawn that should lead them back to the finals.
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