Tongue hopeful Furner will stick around - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Tongue hopeful Furner will stick around

By Ian McCullough 04/07/2009 10:06:56 AM Comments (0)

Canberra skipper Alan Tongue says he is relishing working under coach David Furner and hopes he will not follow the path of his predecessors and stick around in the nation's capital.

Furner became the Raiders' third coach in four years when he took over at the start of the season after previous mentors Matthew Elliott and Neil Henry quit for Penrith and North Queensland respectively and Tongue said this lack of stability affected the team's progress in recent seasons.

"I have been here from when Mal (Meninga) was here then Matt, then Neil and it feels like I have been at a different club every time we get a new coach even though I have been in the one place," Tongue told AAP.

"I suppose it is good to get new ideas and extra input and every coach comes in with a different philosophy and that has been good for my footy but there is definitely more negatives that come out of changing coaches and it definitely doesn't help the organisation."

Furner enjoyed a stellar playing with the Raiders, where he became the club's record points scorer, and previously worked there as an assistant coach to Henry.

Tongue believes this long association should ensure he is around for a few more years.

"I was excited about Dave coming in as coach because I know he will be here as long as the club needs him," he said.

"With the club having so many exciting players coming through that will be in the system for many years it is important we have that stability at the top and he will give us that."

The Raiders ended their seven-year losing streak against Melbourne last week to keep alive their hopes of reaching the finals but Tongue said it will mean nothing unless they can build on that victory against an in-form Gold Coast this Sunday at Canberra Stadium.

The Titans have never won in the nation's capital but Tongue remains wary of John Cartwright's side.

"We will take confidence out of that win last Sunday and we are at a stage of the season now where every two points are vital," he said.

"A couple of wins and we are right back up there in finals contention, but a couple of losses and it will be hard to claw it back.

"The Titans have been playing some outstanding football and have beaten us three times up there so we know what a good side they are, the difference now is that they are playing more consistently this season.

"If we can carry on from where we left off against Melbourne then there is no reason why we can't win, but we must ensure we stop letting teams off the hook which has been our biggest problem this year."

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