With Michael Maguire stepping down as NSW Blues Coach a few months ago to take on the head coaching role at the Broncos, speculation ran rife about who would fill the coveted position.
For many fans, me included, this was a chance to shake things up and bring in a fresh perspective—someone like Michael Ennis. Ennis, with his sharp insights and energy, represents a new generation of rugby league minds.
While I knew his appointment was unlikely, I couldn’t help but hope for a bold, youthful direction for the Blues.
However, in a move that surprised many, the Blues decided to look backward to move forward, reappointing Laurie Daley as head coach.
Daley, a rugby league legend and a familiar face in the Blues camp, led the team from 2013 to 2017.
Initially, I greeted the news with scepticism. After all, wouldn’t a fresh face better match the energy and flair needed to overcome the Queensland Maroons?
But as I reflected on this decision, I found myself rethinking my stance.
There’s something about tradition—something steadfast and reliable—that shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand.
Michael Maguire’s recent success with the Blues can, in part, be credited to his “old school” coaching style.
Perhaps it’s not about reinventing the wheel but perfecting its turn.
Tradition is often maligned, whether in sport or in life. In our fast-paced world, the word itself can feel like a synonym for “outdated” or “stale.”
Yet, as a Catholic, I know tradition is anything but. The church has stood strong for over 2000 years, not because it constantly reinvented itself but because it safeguarded what is true, good, and beautiful.
Tradition in the church isn’t a dead weight—it’s a living connection to wisdom that transcends time. It’s the same tradition that carried the early apostles, sustained martyrs, and inspired saints.
And while rugby league isn’t quite on the same plane as eternal truth, there’s a parallel here worth considering.
Tradition doesn’t just remind us of where we’ve been; it gives us the tools to succeed now.
For the Blues, this tradition is found in figures like Laurie Daley. Daley’s experience—both as a player and a coach—grounds him in a deep understanding of the team’s history, its ethos, and what it means to don that iconic blue jersey.
His time away from the role may even provide him with a fresh perspective that blends the best of the old with the demands of the new.
Of course, the real test will come on the field.
Can Daley reignite the fire of 2014, when he led the Blues to their first State of Origin series win in eight years? Or will this return to tradition simply reinforce the dominance of the Maroons? Only time will tell.
What I do know is this; tradition, when wielded wisely, can be a powerful force.
Whether in faith or in footy, it reminds us that what worked before can work again—if we stay true to its core while adapting to the challenges ahead.
So, while I’ll keep an eye on emerging voices like Michael Ennis for the future, I’m willing to trust in Laurie Daley’s seasoned hands for now.
Sometimes, the best way forward is by looking back.