Dragons coach Anthony Griffin will reportedly be axed “in a matter of weeks” because the membership begins “canvasing candidates” to switch him.
Griffin, who’s coming off contract, has been beneath stress ever because it was revealed in March that the membership had begun exploring teaching choices for subsequent season and that he must reapply for the job.
The stress has gone up a notch after 5 straight losses — the latest to final yr’s wood spooners, the Tigers.
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Speaking on NRL 360, Fox League’s James Hooper reported that the membership will make a name on their new coach “in the next couple of weeks” and believes Griffin’s time on the helm might come to a swift finish.
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“This is a developing story… The Dragons have been canvasing candidates, they’ve spoken to Ben Hornby, they’ve spoken to Jason Ryles and I think they will make an appointment probably in the next couple of weeks,” Hooper mentioned.
“In terms of Anthony Griffin, they’re on the Gold Coast at the moment and then they travel to Townsville. I think he coaches this week but then beyond that I’m not sure.
“I think the position has changed. I think given the results have been so poor that the club has had a shift in thinking are probably more looking at perhaps Anthony doesn’t see the season out.”
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Hooper believes membership legend Ben Hornby is main the checklist of candidates, which additionally consists of the highly-regarded Jason Ryles and one other former Dragon in Dean Young.
“The way I’ve heard it, there’s a big push on Ben Hornby at this point in time. I think Jason Ryles and Dean Young are also in the conversation,” he mentioned.
“I think Shane Flanagan — as much as there has been quite a big push from sections of the media — he’s a little bit further back in the pack.”
The catch is although that Hornby, Ryles or Young wouldn’t have the ability to be part of the Dragons immediately given they’re contracted to the Rabbitohs, Roosters and Cowboys respectively as assistant coaches.
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That means the Dragons would want to nominate an interim coach for the rest of the season.
But that may be a highway the membership is keen to go down with News Corp journalist Brent Read echoing Hooper’s report.
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“I think it’s a matter of weeks now, it’s not going to be months,” Read advised NRL 360.
“It’s pretty imminent and I think we all know where this is going to land. Anthony Griffin won’t be the coach there next year.
“I haven’t heard anything that they’re going to get rid of him after this week but it wouldn’t surprise me given the way they played.”
It comes after captain Ben Hunt blasted his aspect’s Magic Round efficiency.
“Honestly we were just dumb today. Some of the things we did today is not (up to) NRL standard,” he mentioned post-game.
Hooper mentioned their efficiency is “symbolic of a club that’s clearly lost its way,” whereas Kent mentioned: “I think (it was) probably the dumbest performance I’ve seen in at least 20 years.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au