Daley in NSW Blues’ sights ahead of board meeting

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Daley in NSW Blues’ sights ahead of board meeting

Laurie Daley would likely need to walk away from a lucrative wagering partnership if the NSWRL board opts to target the Canberra great as the next Blues coach.

The men’s coaching vacancy is expected to be high on the agenda on Friday when the NSWRL board convenes for its first meeting since releasing Michael Maguire to join NRL side Brisbane.

Daley, Blues coach between 2013 and 2017, claimed last week not to have seriously considered his ambitions of mounting a return to the Blues.

But he and former NSW assistant Paul McGregor are both understood to have support from sections of the eight-person NSWRL board as the Blues look to maintain winning form into 2025.

It is unlikely any current NRL head coaches will push for consideration.

Daley memorably led the Blues to their drought-breaking 2014 series win after NSW had lost eight years running to a historically dominant Queensland side.

It was to be his only series victory before being sacked in 2017.

But if Friday’s meeting leads Daley to favouritism, the 55-year-old will likely be forced to choose between the NSW role and his current job as a radio host on the TAB-owned Big Sports Breakfast, and pundit for TAB.

In late 2022, Manly were blocked in their attempts to hire Daley on to the coaching staff, given the NRL code of conduct prohibits club officials from participating in gambling, including as an employee of a ******** agency.

Chief executive Andrew Abdo said at the time the NRL would be open to reviewing its policy, with Daley previously permitted to coach the Indigenous All Stars while holding down his ********-adjacent role.

But AAP understands no such revisions are currently on the cards, all but confirming Daley could not juggle the positions.

The fact the Blues job is now a part-time role could complicate Daley’s choice, the NSWRL controversially downsizing the full-time position after the 2023 series loss.

Elsewhere, Kylie Hilder’s tenure will be a matter for discussion at the board meeting after the Sky Blues went from convincing winners in game one to losers of the inaugural three-game women’s series this year.

Hilder, coach since 2021, has led NSW to only one win from her past four games at the helm and is out of contract.

She presented to the board at its last meeting, as is customary for incumbent NSW Origin head coaches, with the board likely to discuss her submissions on Friday.

Sky Blues second-rower Yasmin Clydsdale threw her support behind Hilder ahead of what could be her judgment day.

“If you reflect on the games, we went out ******* in game one, and game two we were very unlucky and probably should’ve iced that game,” she told AAP.

“In game three, the tables were turned and the Queenslanders came out *******.

“I definitely back Kylie and I back my team and the squad she picks every single year to be able to do the job. It was unfortunate this year, but we take the learnings into next year.”

Indigenous Women’s All Stars coach Jess Skinner and NSW under-19s coach Kate Mullaly could both be replacement options should the board opt for a change.

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