Griffin says timing of departure was ‘cruel’
AXED Penrith coach Anthony Griffin says his abrupt exit from the finals-bound club was because Panthers boss Phil Gould believed Griffin could lead the team to an NRL premiership.
Griffin slammed Gould last night, declaring their relationship was so toxic that they could go “up to six weeks” without speaking.
He felt he was a dead man walking, realising his time was coming to an end, but said his axing just four weeks before the finals was “cruel”.
“Clearly we don’t get on,” Griffin said exclusively on Fox League’s NRL 360 last night.
“I’m not saying that to disrespect Phil. It’s the main reason I’m sitting in here and not coaching. We don’t get on.
“It wouldn’t be unusual to go a month or six weeks not sitting down and having a chat.
“After we beat Manly I sensed things weren’t right. The silence gets deafening when you’re on the outer. I didn’t anticipate it would be Monday. I thought we’d sort it out at the end of the year.
“I understand the business is brutal. The timing is cruel. They are on the verge of winning a premiership this year, which is probably one of the reasons I’m not there.”
Griffin said he and Gould enjoyed a close relationship when he was recruited to replace Ivan Cleary heading into the 2016 season.
He was given “free reign” by Gould before the pair fell out spectacularly for what he put down to as differing coaching philosophies.
The pair had heated exchanges throughout this year.
Griffin anticipated Gould would increase his involvement in the team under new caretaker coach Cameron Ciraldo.
Gould said part of the reason for dismissing Griffin, whose contract was to expire at the end of 2020, was because he had lost the support of not only players but staff members.