BIZARRE SCENES AS HOOK FINALLY SACKED
Players have to face grilling from media
St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin has become the first NRL coach sacked this year.
Dragons chairman Andrew Lancaster informed Griffin of the club’s decision in Wollongong on Tuesday morning.
All players and staff were called to a 10am meeting.
The Dragons had also bizarrely organised for eight of their players to front the media at 8.30am at the club’s Wollongong headquarters.
So after Red V chairman Lancaster informed Griffin of the decision at 8am, the players were then forced to front up and face questions for which they had no answers.
St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt was understandably fuming at the way the club had handled the situation.
Strong NRL clubs with sharp front offices would never allow those types of scenes to unfold. It tells the story of where the Dragons are as a club right now.
Griffin was seen leaving training after being summoned to the board meeting, where he received the news he would depart the club he had coached during the past three seasons.
He coached the Dragons to 22 wins and 35 losses from 57 games for a win percentage of 38.60.
“The Dragons board has elected to end the tenure of head coach Anthony Griffin, effective immediately,” the club said in a statement.
Dragons CEO Ryan Webb thanked Griffin for his contribution to the club over the past two-and-a-half seasons.
“These decisions are never taken lightly and on behalf of the club I want to thank Anthony for all his hard work during his time at the Dragons,” Webb said.
“Unfortunately, our performances over the first 10 games of this season have not met the club’s expectations so it was decided he should finish up his duties this week.
“Dragons assistant coach Ryan Carr will assume interim coaching duties of the NRL side from this week, while the club board and management will continue assessing head coaching candidates for the 2024 season.”
Dragons forward Jack de Belin, who fronted the media on Tuesday morning, said the players had let Griffin down.
“It’s a results-driven business and we just haven’t got the results for him, so that’s disappointing on our end,” he said.
Dean Young remains in the mix for the St George Illawarra coaching job following the sacking of Griffin.
Sources said the Dragons’ final list was down to three coaches, former players Young, Jason Ryles and Ben Hornby.
Young, who is an assistant coach under Todd Payten at the Cowboys, has privately expressed interest in the role.
In 2020, he filled in as a caretaker coach for six games but left for the Cowboys to get more experience.
Ryles remains favourite for the job but one source said: “Dean Young is still very much in the mix.”
De Belin, who played with Young and Hornby, was impressed by both during their time on the coaching staff at the Dragons.
“They were fantastic coaches,” de Belin said. “They were very committed, smart and intelligent.
“I really enjoyed my time under them but they were only raw in the sense that they had only just come out of playing.
“It’s good to see they have both gone their way and honed their craft at another club. I’m sure they will make good coaches.”