Pressure is on Dragons head coach Anthony Griffin to propel his aspect into the finals race this season and a “breath of fresh air” within the teaching ranks might be the membership’s secret weapon.
Dragons powerbrokers sacked assistant coaches Peter Gentle and Mathew Head throughout a turbulent 2022 season wherein the Red V completed in tenth place.
St George Illawarra have missed out on the finals since 2018 and Griffin has failed to guide the crew into the highest eight in his two years in cost.
Watch each sport LIVE & ad-break free throughout play is on FOX LEAGUE with Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Cobbo and Walters ‘clear the air’ | 02:59
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Former Tweed Heads Seagulls head coach Ben Woolf and Brad Arthur’s right-hand man in 2022, Ryan Carr, signed on assistants for 2023 — and veteran prop Aaron Woods believes the change is precisely what the squad wanted.
“Every coach brings a different idea, last year we had Peter Gentle and Mathew Head and they were outstanding,” Woods informed foxsports.com.au.
“They (the Dragons squad) had them for a couple of years prior, I came in just last year and got some really good ideas from them, but when you get new people in it is just a fresh face.
“It is a change, they bring their ideas, work with Hook (Griffin) and it is just a breath of fresh air.
“The boys have been told one thing for a couple of years now and to get some different ideas from different coaches it does really help.”
Gun centre Zac Lomax echoed his teammates’ opinion and defined the Dragons presently want “a lot of direction” to place their greatest out on the park.
Tino unlikely to restrict his enjoying time | 00:50
MORE NRL NEWS
EVERY CLUB’S BEST 17: Where star recruits will slot in; Bennett’s Dolphins take form
TRANSFER WHISPERS: Titans slam ‘vicious’ rumours; Suaalii’s crunch name
‘NOW IS THE TIME’: Knights coach confirms huge Ponga swap as battle emerges
‘ABSOLUTE RUBBISH’: Lomax reveals remorse from beautiful Frizell second
“It has been a bit of a fresh start in regards to having a few new staff in, our new assistants have been outstanding, they have been clear in regards to what they want,” Lomax informed foxsports.com.au.
“They’ve come in and made a real good point to the playing group, I feel that’s what we needed, we need a lot of direction.”
Some pundits have known as for Griffin’s sacking and with one other poor begin to the season ‘Hook’s’ head will likely be on the chopping block.
Woods is totally conscious of the criticism and believes if the Dragons can “get their s**t in order” and ship some early wins — the noise will go away.
“We win the first couple of games, it goes away, a lot of people tipped the Cowboys to come last last year, look what they did,” Woods mentioned.
“They lost their first game against the Bulldogs then bang, won six or seven in a row.
“For us we have the bye round one, a lot of people say ‘hey, at least you get two points’, but we want to play, we want to earn those two points.
‘Old’ criticism not bothering Dolphins | 03:08
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
“We just need to go out there and be really consistent from Round 2 and get out s**t in order.”
In 2022, the Dragons completed 4 factors behind the Raiders who snuck into the highest eight with 30 factors, equal with the Rabbitohs.
Woods believes if his aspect can convert the shut video games, they’re a robust probability of constructing the finals.
“We’re excited, we believe we can make it, obviously there’s always knockers outside, but for us we just need to be consistent,” Woods mentioned.
“There were times last year where we had moments and we thought we are going good and then we just did some silly things, like we got beat by the Titans in Magic Round in golden point.
“We had that game all but won with 10 minutes to go and we killed ourselves, we got beat by the Broncos when they have nine blokes out.
“Those two wins and we make the eight, that’s how close this competition is and the good sides, they win those games.”