Brian Smith Picture: GETTY IMAGES
It was no huge shock to me when I heard the Roosters had sacked Brian Smith. Or was it "mutually parted ways?" Please!
Smith had lost the players. People knew that.
Word was he would change things a lot and the players weren't thrilled.
By that I mean the plan he used in 2010 to get them to the grand final against the Dragons, he would change the following year.
Why tinker with something that is obviously working a treat?
Smith seems to be the perfect guy to come into a club, clean it up, get rid of players if that's what the board wants him to do, then leave.
I feel for him a bit, because he's never won a competition, but I doubt this will be the last time we hear of him either.
My money is on him going to the Warriors next year.
He's a career coach, a hard but talented coach, and that's what the Warriors need.
They need a disciplinarian, someone to come in and hit them with a big stick.
That's what Newcastle needed when they got Smith there a few years back and he did the job for them.
It's what the Roosters needed when he went there and he got the job done.
There's obviously plenty of skill in the New Zealand side but those blokes
need a hard-nosed coach who doesn't take any crap to get the best out of
them.
Smith looks the perfect fit.
I know there's been a lot of talk of Steve Kearney heading over there but I think Smith would be a better fit for the club at this stage.
As for who will replace Smith at the Roosters, it's going to be a case of whoever wants an interim gig because they will make a massive play for Craig Bellamy to join the club in 2014.
Bellamy is off contract next year with Melbourne and is up there with the best coaches in the game and there is no doubt Nick Politis will want the best on offer at the Roosters.
So be it Jason Taylor or Matt Elliott or whoever coaches the Chooks in 2013, it's effectively a one-year gig so they can at least try to get Bellamy.
If you've got aspirations of being an NRL coach, knowing you're only in that gig for one year so the club can try to get someone else is not ideal - coaches have got pride in what they do.
It will be very interesting to see how this plays out, but don't be surprised at all if Bellamy is in Bondi in 2014.