Hopefully he'll be given free reign to bring in his own staff and implement the systems and structures he wants so he's able to put a proper stamp on the club.

On paper I think this is the best we could have hoped for.
Would have liked Rowley, but I prefer the potential with Cartwright over Lam (not that we ever apparently made him an offer anyway).
I hope he's keen on continuing the good work done with the academy and committed to bringing youngsters through.
He will also open up a whole new network of contacts and give us a better chance of Aussie signings.
Will only end up been a good appointment if he is given money and resources to work with. If he wants new/more S&C staff then he needs to be given it. If he thinks warm weather camp is the way to go, we need to do it. Previous coaches in recent times have been hampered by money and resources, if we now have investment available then it needs to be used wisely in not just players but back room and off field staff.

Excited about where this guy could take us.

Happy we have our man at last. As others have said (and I have said previously), he needs backing with resources. Sounds like he'll have cap space and hopefully his NRL connections can land us a couple of gems for whatever our spare quota spots are. But for me it's crucial that he is allowed to build up his own backroom staff.

Backroom staff has always been an area we've been light on in comparison to the top clubs. Strength and conditioning coaches and new physios should now be the top priority

As he's a defensive coach, he might bring Briers as attack coach
I may get pelters, but I wouldn't mind seeing Paul Cooke as attack coach..

Decent appointment all things considered.
Whether he can shape our rabble up is a different story.

Bit harsh on Grix. Think he’s well thought of and has had a tough gig since TS left. Apart from the London game which may have been down to Lanes sinbin and a few other player errors he’s done ok. On the clean sweep theory all the players have to go? Anyway we’ll see

Not all the players no but if we can pay some off then we have a few quota spots to play with.Its ok being well thought of but he was involved when the hammerings brought this on and is partly responsible,admittedly no one knows how much influence he had but I’m not impressed yet.

He's not won a game during his trial period, we're still struggling to score tries and we lost our one winnable game. His substitutions are erratic and there is still a lack of a gameplay
He hasn't done well and didn't deserve a shot at the main job this time round.

Agree with your post and the bit in bold is pretty much what he'll be having to do here such is the mess. He certainly has all the credentials & tools in his locker to be a success as our Head Coach but we all know that doesn't mean it will work that way.

All said and done for me he ticks all the boxes required and that is all we can ask for. I think the fact he is a completely new broom will also prove to be a good thing and have a positive impact.

The season has gone so we may as well put most of the effort in getting things right in 2025, I'm sure he'll be having input from here on in. He also has boots on the ground in Aus which should better in terms of recruiting our quota spots with the quality and positions he feels is needed.

"Latest" from John Davidson "Leeds have knocked back our bid for Jarrod O'Connor."

Wasn't that 2/3 weeks ago?

Great appointmemt - someone serious, with a proven pedigree & clearly massively respected. Been at all the top clubs including Penrith, his 'network' will be immense. Seems he is a disciplinarian & strong on defence too.

Watching the NRL merry go round, Eels CEO commented on the importance of appointing someone 'From a winning culture and used to delivering excellence' - assuming we are going the same way, guess no more Bulldogs coming then !!!

Really hope some of the proposed incomings either not approved yet or agreed upon by JC. Surely using the quota/marquee spots wisely the absolute key to success ?