Griffin to reapply for job as Dragons set to begin interviewing for 2024 coach

Key points

  • The Dragons have told Anthony Griffin they will consider other coaching options for 2024.
  • Griffin’s future will hinge on the results of the team in the coming months.
  • Dean Young, Jason Ryles and Ben Hornby are the leading early candidates.

St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin will have to reapply for his job after club officials informed him they would soon begin interviewing prospective coaches for 2024 and beyond.

Griffin is in the third and final year of his contract with the Dragons and is yet to convince club officials that he is the man to lead the club into the future.

Coaching contenders Dean Young, Anthony Griffin and Jason RylesCredit:Getty

The Dragons want to give Griffin time to prove he can turn things around after missing the finals in his first two seasons in charge but also don’t want to be rushing to find a replacement at the 11th hour if things don’t work out this season.

Sources with knowledge of the situation talking to the Herald on the condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of discussions confirmed Griffin’s future was raised at a board meeting on Tuesday.

The coach has been made aware of the club’s position and has agreed to continue fighting to earn another contract with the Dragons.

Former Dragons player Jason Ryles, who is working under Trent Robinson as an assistant at the Roosters, is believed to be one of the frontrunners.

Coach Anthony Griffin is in the spotlight at the Dragons.Credit:Getty

The Dragons are expected to also contact Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy, who has indicated this will be his final season at the Storm. St George Illawarra previously approached Bellamy to join the club in 2012.

The club knows Bellamy, who has a deal with the Storm as a consultant after he retires from coaching, is at long odds to leave Melbourne.

It’s why the Dragons will also do their homework on 2010 premiership-winning players Dean Young and Ben Hornby, who coached at the club as assistants under Paul McGregor. Young is an assistant coach at the Cowboys while Hornby is working under Jason Demetriou at South Sydney.

Another ex-Dragons assistant coach, Shane Flanagan, will also be in the discussion despite leaving the club over the pre-season to link up with Anthony Seibold at the Sea Eagles.

Shane Flanagan worked with Dean Young as an assistant to Paul McGregor at the Dragons in 2020.

Other available coaches include premiership-winners Des Hasler and Michael Maguire, former Cronulla coach John Morris, England coach Shaun Wane, NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler and Queensland coach Billy Slater.

The Dragons believe they are being transparent with Griffin by informing him of their decision, rather than speaking to other coaches without his knowledge.

Despite skipper Ben Hunt’s recent plea to hold off on a decision on Griffin until late in the year, the club wants to start the conversation now because of the impact such uncertainty may have on recruitment and retention.

Despite a horror showing against the Rabbitohs in the Charity Shield in Mudgee, the Dragons have played decent football in their first two matches against the Titans and Broncos.

Dragons captain Ben Hunt and coach Anthony Griffin (inset).

Before fading away in the last 10 minutes against the Broncos to lose 40-18, they showed signs of promise.

The Dragons have a friendly draw to start the season. They only play three teams that qualified for last year’s finals series inside the first 10 rounds. They play the Storm, Panthers, Eels and Sea Eagles just once in 2023.

Griffin has won 22 of his 53 games in charge of the Dragons for a win rate of 41.5 per cent. That’s well below his predecessor Paul McGregor, who was replaced with a winning percentage of 46.6 per cent.

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