Salford Red Devils captain Adrian Morley admits Warrington boss Tony Smith is the best coach he has worked with, as he gears up for an emotional reunion against his former side on Friday night.
Morley spent seven years at the Halliwell Jones stadium, lifting numerous trophies in one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. He cites the influence of Smith as massive for the transformation of Warrington into a major Super League force, as well as lavishing praise on him as the top coach he has played under.
“I’d say he’s the best coach I’ve had. Some coaches are extremely good at something, and some are not so good. However, Tony is probably the most rounded coach – he ticks all the boxes,” Morley claimed.
“He was fantastic – not just for my career, but for the Warrington club. They needed someone like him to come in at that time; there was always potential and possibility, but he gave the club the steel they needed to start winning major trophies.
“I’ve got a lot of time and respect for Tony as a coach.”
Morley also admitted the clash at the AJ Bell Stadium was the first one he looked out for when the fixtures were released, claiming he has avoided contact with his former compatriots in the buildup to the clash!
“It was very much in the mind when the fixtures came out, the Warrington game. I played there for seven years and got a lot of friends there, and I’m looking forward to going up against my own team-mates.
“It should be good; they’ve had a bit of an indifferent start like ourselves, so they will be hoping to get the win on the board. We’re looking to get back on track, so it should be a good encounter.
“Prior to this week I’ve still been keeping in touch with the boys, but in the week leading up to the game you seem to disassociate yourselves with them – you don’t want to be giving them any ammunition! After the game we’ll rekindle the friendship, but there has been nothing this week!”
