HE is the Wayne Bennett of the English Super League and he could be headed to Port Macquarie.
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Brian McDermott has been linked to a consultancy role at the Port Macquarie Sharks as they aim for back-to-back Group 3 rugby league premierships in 2019.
Confirmation of McDermott’s visit could be the boost the Sharks need as they attempt to again overcome the loss of several experienced players.
Club president Jamie Dowse has been working hard behind the scenes to make it happen.
“To have a guy like Brian McDermott attached to our club would be massive,” Dowse said.
“It would be a shot in the arm for the town, the club and the group.”
The former Leeds Rhinos head coach won four grand finals, two Challenge Cups, a League Leaders' Shield and a World Club Challenge in eight years at Elland Road.
He was sacked in July, the Sharks circled and Dowse indicated the 48-year-old was interested in making the trip to Port Macquarie.
The Super League premiership-winning coach is believed to be looking for some work in between jobs from January until June.
He would oversee part of the Sharks pre-season training program and sit in the coaches box for the first half of the Group 3 season.
Dowse spent time alongside the former Rhinos boss while in camp with the United States at last year’s Rugby League World Cup.
He also spent two weeks with him at Leeds last year in a consultancy role for Super League clubs.
“I’ve known him for a number of years, have a good relationship and he reached out to us,” Dowse said.
“It won’t be something that is going to cost us an arm and a leg so to have a guy like him at the club would attract a lot of interest.”
McDermott’s 20-year-old son Jake would also head across with his father and play with the Sharks, but Dowse confirmed the visit would benefit the entire group.
“He can share the whole experience with opposition coaches as well,” Dowse said.
The 48-year-old’s background as a Royal Marine would also make him a suitable guest speaker at a variety of functions outside of the sporting field.
“He served in the army so will have a lot of stories to share with businesses on leadership and teamwork,” Dowse said.
“It could benefit businesses as well.”
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