Coach Griffin

[Eric]

Coaches head already on the chopping block. Bearing in mind that non of us are privy to the goings on within the club so you should only comment on the current facts not what your personal beliefs may be. The facts indicate that the club is in a mess once again. The coach is really responsible for retention and recruitment of players plus on match day the tactics used and the 17 selected to represent the club. The facts indicate that we are failing in multiple areas both on and off the field. The question is who shoulders the responsibility for these failures. If you believe it's the coach then he must go. Don't forget once again we have extended a coach who presently has failed to lift our club from a 10 yr doldrums with no end in sight at the moment but it's only round 5. There needs to be an improved showing no later than round 9 otherwise this will be another lost season in my humble view

Hit the nail right on the head. He's the one who recruited McGuire, Mbye, McCullough. I know the latter of those 3 has worked out but if not for McInnes injury last year, it would have been a disastrous. Muhleisen should be playing NRL now. McGuire is a good player. Deserves to be in the NRL but on the rare occurrence he's not suspended!

Though he's already done some good things. Got Ben Hunt back playing how we know he can. Put his foot down refusing to extent some of McGregor's ridiculously inflated contracts.

 

[Morgan]

The knives are coming out. I've been a staunch supporter but whoever is responsible for signing all Hook's old favouirites from the Broncos has got to go. I can't imagine anyone but Hook himself was the main instigator.

The cost to axe Griffin as Dragons coach slumps to club’s worst win record​

St George Illawarra will have to pay out coach Anthony Griffin around $475,000 if they decide to terminate his contract in the coming months.​

Sources with knowledge of Griffin’s contract told The Herald that the Dragons would not have to pay out the coach’s full salary for the next season-and-a-half if they were to punt him mid-season.

The Dragons’ decision to take up an option in the coach’s contract before the season is now under scrutiny following a disappointing start to the year with one win from their first five games. At the time, the club wanted to remove any distractions and speculation around the coach’s future, triggering the option armed with the knowledge that it wouldn’t cost them an exorbitant amount to terminate him.

WIN Corporation, the part owner of the Dragons, has deep pockets. The $475,000 payout for a coach who is one of the lowest paid in the NRL will look like small change if the Dragons continue to underperform. Of greatest concern is the fact the Dragons have won just one of their past 13 games under Griffin. To put that into context, the under-siege Wests Tigers have won three games during the same period, while last year’s wooden-spooners, Canterbury, have won two.

The Dragons’ off-season recruitment drive left many at the club convinced they would at least challenge for a top-eight spot in Griffin’s second season in charge, but they now find themselves languishing at the bottom of the ladder with games against Newcastle and the Roosters to come. Griffin was not the Dragons’ first choice to replace Paul McGregor. They wanted Craig Fitzgibbon, but the former Red V star, who was an assistant coach at the Roosters at the time, had already vowed he wouldn’t leave the Tricolours before the end of the 2021 season.

Former Cronulla premiership-winner Shane Flanagan was also suspended by the NRL at the time and ineligible to be a head coach, while Penrith assistant Cameron Ciraldo indicated that he wasn’t ready to leave the Panthers at the time. The criticism of Griffin during his tenure at the Penrith Panthers was a perceived lack of attention to detail in his coaching, which is why former general manager Phil Gould often involved himself in training sessions. Griffin’s training methods were described as outdated.

“He coached the footy out of them,” a Panthers official once said. Those remarks would be of concern for a club with some of the most naturally gifted young players in the competition on its roster. Five-eighth Talatau Amone played with confidence and flair when he was moved into the No.6 role for the final three games of the 2021 season. He ran for a combined 262 metres in those games.

In the first three games of this season, before he was relegated to the bench, he touched the ball more times but only ran for a combined 121 metres. He looked a shadow of the player from the year before. Tyrell Sloan is another young gun in limbo. There’s no doubt he still has plenty of room to improve, but the manner in which Griffin dealt with the situation has rattled the 19-year-old, according to those close to him.

There are other concerns growing at the club. The mocking of Griffin by centre Zac Lomax and prop Blake Lawrie during an interview with Bryan Fletcher and Nathan Hindmarsh on Fox Sports recently pointed to a lack of respect for the coach.
That was also on show with the complete disregard for the coach when the players gathered at Paul Vaughan’s house for the infamous BBQ-gate scandal.
The club has given Griffin complete autonomy over the roster. One of his first signings was securing veteran rake Andrew McCullough on a three-year deal.

McCullough is a fantastic servant to the game, but he ran once for three metres against South Sydney on Saturday. The fact he still has another year remaining on his deal is a worry to many at the club. Josh McGuire is another of Griffin’s purchases, but he won’t be getting a new deal at the end of the season.

The Dragons bought themselves a month of clear air by taking up the option. It now means nothing to disgruntled Dragons fans, especially with Griffin slumping to the worst coaching record in the history of the joint venture with a 31 per cent win rate.

 

[Eric]

The knives are coming out. I've been a staunch supporter but whoever is responsible for signing all Hook's old favouirites from the Broncos has got to go. I can't imagine anyone but Hook himself was the main instigator.

The cost to axe Griffin as Dragons coach slumps to club’s worst win record​

St George Illawarra will have to pay out coach Anthony Griffin around $475,000 if they decide to terminate his contract in the coming months.​

Sources with knowledge of Griffin’s contract told The Herald that the Dragons would not have to pay out the coach’s full salary for the next season-and-a-half if they were to punt him mid-season.

The Dragons’ decision to take up an option in the coach’s contract before the season is now under scrutiny following a disappointing start to the year with one win from their first five games. At the time, the club wanted to remove any distractions and speculation around the coach’s future, triggering the option armed with the knowledge that it wouldn’t cost them an exorbitant amount to terminate him.

WIN Corporation, the part owner of the Dragons, has deep pockets. The $475,000 payout for a coach who is one of the lowest paid in the NRL will look like small change if the Dragons continue to underperform. Of greatest concern is the fact the Dragons have won just one of their past 13 games under Griffin. To put that into context, the under-siege Wests Tigers have won three games during the same period, while last year’s wooden-spooners, Canterbury, have won two.

The Dragons’ off-season recruitment drive left many at the club convinced they would at least challenge for a top-eight spot in Griffin’s second season in charge, but they now find themselves languishing at the bottom of the ladder with games against Newcastle and the Roosters to come. Griffin was not the Dragons’ first choice to replace Paul McGregor. They wanted Craig Fitzgibbon, but the former Red V star, who was an assistant coach at the Roosters at the time, had already vowed he wouldn’t leave the Tricolours before the end of the 2021 season.

Former Cronulla premiership-winner Shane Flanagan was also suspended by the NRL at the time and ineligible to be a head coach, while Penrith assistant Cameron Ciraldo indicated that he wasn’t ready to leave the Panthers at the time. The criticism of Griffin during his tenure at the Penrith Panthers was a perceived lack of attention to detail in his coaching, which is why former general manager Phil Gould often involved himself in training sessions. Griffin’s training methods were described as outdated.

“He coached the footy out of them,” a Panthers official once said. Those remarks would be of concern for a club with some of the most naturally gifted young players in the competition on its roster. Five-eighth Talatau Amone played with confidence and flair when he was moved into the No.6 role for the final three games of the 2021 season. He ran for a combined 262 metres in those games.

In the first three games of this season, before he was relegated to the bench, he touched the ball more times but only ran for a combined 121 metres. He looked a shadow of the player from the year before. Tyrell Sloan is another young gun in limbo. There’s no doubt he still has plenty of room to improve, but the manner in which Griffin dealt with the situation has rattled the 19-year-old, according to those close to him.

There are other concerns growing at the club. The mocking of Griffin by centre Zac Lomax and prop Blake Lawrie during an interview with Bryan Fletcher and Nathan Hindmarsh on Fox Sports recently pointed to a lack of respect for the coach.
That was also on show with the complete disregard for the coach when the players gathered at Paul Vaughan’s house for the infamous BBQ-gate scandal.
The club has given Griffin complete autonomy over the roster. One of his first signings was securing veteran rake Andrew McCullough on a three-year deal.

McCullough is a fantastic servant to the game, but he ran once for three metres against South Sydney on Saturday. The fact he still has another year remaining on his deal is a worry to many at the club. Josh McGuire is another of Griffin’s purchases, but he won’t be getting a new deal at the end of the season.

The Dragons bought themselves a month of clear air by taking up the option. It now means nothing to disgruntled Dragons fans, especially with Griffin slumping to the worst coaching record in the history of the joint venture with a 31 per cent win rate.

Yep. I posted yesterday or the day before the players he has signed. Doesn't make for good reading.

 

[RedV01]

The knives are coming out. I've been a staunch supporter but whoever is responsible for signing all Hook's old favouirites from the Broncos has got to go. I can't imagine anyone but Hook himself was the main instigator.

The cost to axe Griffin as Dragons coach slumps to club’s worst win record​

St George Illawarra will have to pay out coach Anthony Griffin around $475,000 if they decide to terminate his contract in the coming months.​

Sources with knowledge of Griffin’s contract told The Herald that the Dragons would not have to pay out the coach’s full salary for the next season-and-a-half if they were to punt him mid-season.

The Dragons’ decision to take up an option in the coach’s contract before the season is now under scrutiny following a disappointing start to the year with one win from their first five games. At the time, the club wanted to remove any distractions and speculation around the coach’s future, triggering the option armed with the knowledge that it wouldn’t cost them an exorbitant amount to terminate him.

WIN Corporation, the part owner of the Dragons, has deep pockets. The $475,000 payout for a coach who is one of the lowest paid in the NRL will look like small change if the Dragons continue to underperform. Of greatest concern is the fact the Dragons have won just one of their past 13 games under Griffin. To put that into context, the under-siege Wests Tigers have won three games during the same period, while last year’s wooden-spooners, Canterbury, have won two.

The Dragons’ off-season recruitment drive left many at the club convinced they would at least challenge for a top-eight spot in Griffin’s second season in charge, but they now find themselves languishing at the bottom of the ladder with games against Newcastle and the Roosters to come. Griffin was not the Dragons’ first choice to replace Paul McGregor. They wanted Craig Fitzgibbon, but the former Red V star, who was an assistant coach at the Roosters at the time, had already vowed he wouldn’t leave the Tricolours before the end of the 2021 season.

Former Cronulla premiership-winner Shane Flanagan was also suspended by the NRL at the time and ineligible to be a head coach, while Penrith assistant Cameron Ciraldo indicated that he wasn’t ready to leave the Panthers at the time. The criticism of Griffin during his tenure at the Penrith Panthers was a perceived lack of attention to detail in his coaching, which is why former general manager Phil Gould often involved himself in training sessions. Griffin’s training methods were described as outdated.

“He coached the footy out of them,” a Panthers official once said. Those remarks would be of concern for a club with some of the most naturally gifted young players in the competition on its roster. Five-eighth Talatau Amone played with confidence and flair when he was moved into the No.6 role for the final three games of the 2021 season. He ran for a combined 262 metres in those games.

In the first three games of this season, before he was relegated to the bench, he touched the ball more times but only ran for a combined 121 metres. He looked a shadow of the player from the year before. Tyrell Sloan is another young gun in limbo. There’s no doubt he still has plenty of room to improve, but the manner in which Griffin dealt with the situation has rattled the 19-year-old, according to those close to him.

There are other concerns growing at the club. The mocking of Griffin by centre Zac Lomax and prop Blake Lawrie during an interview with Bryan Fletcher and Nathan Hindmarsh on Fox Sports recently pointed to a lack of respect for the coach.
That was also on show with the complete disregard for the coach when the players gathered at Paul Vaughan’s house for the infamous BBQ-gate scandal.
The club has given Griffin complete autonomy over the roster. One of his first signings was securing veteran rake Andrew McCullough on a three-year deal.

McCullough is a fantastic servant to the game, but he ran once for three metres against South Sydney on Saturday. The fact he still has another year remaining on his deal is a worry to many at the club. Josh McGuire is another of Griffin’s purchases, but he won’t be getting a new deal at the end of the season.

The Dragons bought themselves a month of clear air by taking up the option. It now means nothing to disgruntled Dragons fans, especially with Griffin slumping to the worst coaching record in the history of the joint venture with a 31 per cent win rate.

It's probably time. He had a chance and has failed.

 

[jodragon40]

Sometimes as a head coach you have to make decisions some hard some unpopular but it's important during these somewhat dark times that you stick to your plan. In this instance the plan was to strengthen our forward stocks with experienced forwards. This was to allow the development of our young rising stars. Now on some occasions these rising stars need time to develop and things don't go to plan. It does nobody any favours to have such negative stories eminate . We are 5 rounds into the competition it is no time to panic and listen to other people's opinions about what may or may not be happening within the inner workings of the club or team. As I said in another post this type of recruitment and development plan have a lifespan of between 3 to 5 yrs before you see consistent positive results. To now throw the baby out with the bath water would in my view be a mistake. Time will tell

 

[jodragon40]

It's probably time. He had a chance and has failed.

Disagree

 

[RedV01]

Disagree

Well how much longer would you give him to turn things around?

 

[jodragon40]

Well how much longer would you give him to turn things around?

He is in his 2nd year next season we should see our young stars playing regular 1st grade

 

[GCRV]

He is in his 2nd year next season we should see our young stars playing regular 1st grade

I was hoping it'd be sooner than that.

 

[RedV01]

He is in his 2nd year next season we should see our young stars playing regular 1st grade

So for the remainder of this year and several rounds into next year?

 

[jodragon40]

I was hoping it'd be sooner than that.

Don't we all

 

[jodragon40]

So for the remainder of this year and several rounds into next year?

Until the end of next year but we should see an improvement shortly just got to hang in there

 

[RedV01]

Until the end of next year but we should see an improvement shortly just got to hang in there

I certainly hope so.

 

[Chris M]

Until the end of next year but we should see an improvement shortly just got to hang in there

I very much doubt he has that long left, for better or worse, unless things turn around soon.

 

[Eric]

So for the remainder of this year and several rounds into next year?

Sometimes as a head coach you have to make decisions some hard some unpopular but it's important during these somewhat dark times that you stick to your plan. In this instance the plan was to strengthen our forward stocks with experienced forwards. This was to allow the development of our young rising stars. Now on some occasions these rising stars need time to develop and things don't go to plan. It does nobody any favours to have such negative stories eminate . We are 5 rounds into the competition it is no time to panic and listen to other people's opinions about what may or may not be happening within the inner workings of the club or team. As I said in another post this type of recruitment and development plan have a lifespan of between 3 to 5 yrs before you see consistent positive results. To now throw the baby out with the bath water would in my view be a mistake. Time will tell

It's a tough situation but I think jodragon is right. Griffin must have a plan the board must be privy to and agree with.

BTW RedV01, like the new avatar.

 

[jodragon40]

It's a tough situation but I think jodragon is right. Griffin must have a plan the board must be privy to and agree with.

BTW RedV01, like the new avatar.

Look you just don't hand out 1st grade coaching spots. He would have had to provide the board with his vision his plan and a timeline and then his needs. The board would have had to discuss this before agreeing. As I said previously these types of plans and nurturing the young stars coming through doesn't happen overnight it will take 3 to 5 yrs hence the 1 year extension. The board are not going to agree with his original plans and then sack him because someone in the media is calling for his head. This would have been discussed. There will be more salary cap freedom for next year as the club reduces the payments to Sims and Bird for starters. It is a matter of holding your nerve and not collapsing under public opinion.

 

[jodragon40]

I very much doubt he has that long left, for better or worse, unless things turn around soon.

I disagree. Planning for the future is never easy there's always a twist here and a turn there. The issue is if you have planned for these twists and turns by having a number of contingency plans and even if you have contingencies sometimes events happen that are beyond your control. Look in my opinion anyone that can last in this business for over 20 yrs, 10 yrs as a head coach must be doing something right. Have faith.

 

[RedV01]

I disagree. Planning for the future is never easy there's always a twist here and a turn there. The issue is if you have planned for these twists and turns by having a number of contingency plans and even if you have contingencies sometimes events happen that are beyond your control. Look in my opinion anyone that can last in this business for over 20 yrs, 10 yrs as a head coach must be doing something right. Have faith.

At very least, he has to stop screwing around with Mbye at fullback and Bird at 5/8. If he is really adamant about not picking Sloan and Amone, it has to be Ramsey and Sullivan.

 

[Eric]

Look you just don't hand out 1st grade coaching spots. He would have had to provide the board with his vision his plan and a timeline and then his needs. The board would have had to discuss this before agreeing. As I said previously these types of plans and nurturing the young stars coming through doesn't happen overnight it will take 3 to 5 yrs hence the 1 year extension. The board are not going to agree with his original plans and then sack him because someone in the media is calling for his head. This would have been discussed. There will be more salary cap freedom for next year as the club reduces the payments to Sims and Bird for starters. It is a matter of holding your nerve and not collapsing under public opinion.

What in your opinion might his plan be? I mean, the plan is to set the club up for sustained success by strengthening the junior pathways but how long do you think it will or should take?

 

[jodragon40]

At very least, he has to stop screwing around with Mbye at fullback and Bird at 5/8. If he is really adamant about not picking Sloan and Amone, it has to be Ramsey and Sullivan.

It would appear that this plan has failed to provide the answers to his present dilemma. The question is will he persevere or does he have any other alternative plans. It is clear to me that at the moment he doesn't believe Sloan is ready to organise our defence but at the moment Ramsay not available so that has stymied him. As for Amone at least he threw him in there in the 2nd half of the Rabbitohs game.