Look he has done well, but maybe he got lucky in some respects with cattle. James Graham has been massive for them this year, they've unearthed a talent in Reynolds (not sure how much Des had to do with that ... another DCE perhaps ?) and Barba has been a revelation at fullback. Midseason buys of Inu and Perrett has strengthened what was a bit of an ordinary outside back roster, so that has helped his cause. If he keeps Inu firing on all cylinders than maybe he is the messiah, as a few have tried in the past and failed.
Their forward pack was always pretty strong so I didn't subscribe to the theory that they would be wooden spooners, they just missed the 8 last year, and 2009 they finished second. They have a pretty reasonable side and Des has taken them up a notch or two. His coaching style works, look at our record over the last 5 years. So if it ain't broke don't fix it.
I still don't think they will win it this year, I firmly believe that finals pressure will get to guys like Reynolds, Barba, Inu, Keating etc. They don't have a real experienced, cool, calm head that can take the reins when the chips are down. No Killer, no Lockyer, no Smith, no Thurston etc. Who plays that role for them ??
