Jon Wilkin stunned that TWO coaches not nominated for Coach of the Year

Wigan Warriors, Leigh Leopards, Salford Red Devils and Catalans Dragons coaches have all been nominated for the Coach of the Year Award in 2023.

The nominees for the Betfred Super League Coach of the Year award include the last three winners – with Peet aiming to win it for the second consecutive season.

Adrian Lam, who won the award in 2020 when he steered Wigan Warriors to the Grand Final, is in contention again after plotting an outstanding return to the game’s elite for Leigh Leopards – in which they have won the Betfred Challenge Cup at Wembley, in addition to securing a Play-Off place.

Steve McNamara is in contention to be named Coach of the Year for the second time in three seasons, with Catalans Dragons 80 minutes away from a repeat of their debut Grand Final appearance in 2021 having secured a top two finish and a home Semi Final.

Paul Rowley is the only one of the four nominees not to have won the award previously, although he was also nominated last year for steering Salford Red Devils to the Play-Offs – and has again been recognised by his fellow coaches for the consistency, competitiveness and enterprise of his team.

The Betfred Super League Coach of the Year and Young Player of the Year will be crowned at the sport’s biggest and most inclusive Awards Night at Emirates Old Trafford on Tuesday October 10.

Many have been stunned by the decision to not include Willie Peters and Jon Wilkin agrees and is stunned at the absence of Paul Wellens as well:

“Well, for people who don’t understand as well, the coach here gets nominated by the coaches, so it’s by the peers so there’s obviously some very popular guys in there. Steve McNamara’s got a lot of friends in the coaching world.

“Paul Rowley’s a very affable chap, we’ve had him on here and on the podcast, he’s great. They’ve all had good seasons. I think Adrian Lam has done amazing things with Leigh, Matty Pete at Wigan.

“I’m just going to mention a good friend of mine, Paul Wellens as well, because they’re technically World Club champions and they’re still within a shout of winning five competitions in a row, I think he’s worthy of a mention.

“But I think favourite out of that list for me would be, surprisingly, Matty Peet, because I just enjoy everything that he’s done at Wigan. The way that he speaks, the way he articulates himself, the language that he uses, the way he addresses his players, how patient and kind he is to us as broadcasters, it’s just so nice to be around.

“I’m biased, Matty Peet for me, but I’m just, I’m shocked I think Willie Peters should be on our list without a shadow of a doubt.”