Contenders for Laurie Daley's NSW throne

WHO COULD REPLACE LAURIE DALEY AS NSW COACH?

BRAD FITTER

Position: NSW City coach, junior coach

Has had six years as NSW City coach and NRL coaching experience at the Sydney Roosters between 2007 and 2009.

DEAN PAY

Position: Former under-20s NSW coach

Coached NSW under-20s team to five-straight victories between 2012 and 2016, but could be a longshot given he is favourite for the vacant Canterbury job.

DES HASLER

Position: Axed former Bulldogs coach

The two-month Origin cauldron could be the perfect role for Hasler, whose intensity was said to burn out Bulldogs players over whole seasons. Easily the best-credentialled candidate.

MICHAEL MAGUIRE

Position: Ex-South Sydney coach

The 2014 premiership winner is probably an unlikely choice but the NSWRL are spoiled in that there are a few qualified candidates available at the moment.

GEOFF TOOVEY

Position: Bradford Bulls head coach

The outsider given he is not a part of the Blues' set up but has head coaching experience with his four years NRL club Manly.

OUT OF THE RUNNING:

Craig Bellamy (Melbourne Storm)

Andrew Johns

Danny Buderus

Ricky Stuart (Canberra)

Trent Robinson (Roosters)

Wayne Bennett (Brisbane)

Phil Gould