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Football Dept changes

denis preston

First Grade
Messages
8,157
Several key personnel appointments to the Dragons' football department have been announced ahead of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership season.

Mat Head headlines the department's personnel changes as Anthony Griffin's new assistant coach, a role he took on in the interim last season.

The former minor premiership winning Knock On Effect Cup coach Head formally replaces Matthew Elliott. Elliott will remain at the Dragons in an organisation-wide leadership and culture development role.


Head's previously held roles of NRL Women's Premiership and Dragons Academy coach have been reallocated. Jamie Soward and Russ Aitken will join the Dragons in a full-time capacity as a result.

Former Sharks and Storm playmaker Aitken will continue in his role as Knock On Effect Cup coach and will add Dragons development coach to his responsibilities in 2022.

Soward has been named as the club's new NRL Women's Premiership coach. The 2010 premiership winner will also have a key role in the Dragons' Female Academy and continue to act as an NRL specialist coach as part of his role.

Ryan Bailey returns to the club as an athletic development coach. Bailey will act as a vital conduit between the first grade program and the club's pathways. Additionally, Bailey will become the Dragons' first full-time NRLW performance manager.

Dragons general manager of football Ben Haran said the new appointments will benefit the entirety of the club's football operations.

"We are extremely pleased with the quality personnel joining the Dragons' expanding football department," Haran said.

"These additions will all play crucial roles throughout the Dragons' football structure, ensuring a stronger connection between the NRL and NRLW programs, the NSWRL competitions we compete in and our junior representative pathways.

"The Dragons' dedication to our male and female academies and our vast catchment area will continue with the further allocation of resources toward our development programs."

The majority of the Dragons' 2022 squad will return for pre-season training in November.


Is this good or bad news ?
 

Coffs dragon

Bench
Messages
4,247
Certainly needed change to prevent any further slide and I believe it’s a positive.
Defence coaching needs a complete overhaul & hopefully start again fresh with a new squad.
 

Dragonslayer

First Grade
Messages
7,678
Several key personnel appointments to the Dragons' football department have been announced ahead of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership season.

Mat Head headlines the department's personnel changes as Anthony Griffin's new assistant coach, a role he took on in the interim last season.

The former minor premiership winning Knock On Effect Cup coach Head formally replaces Matthew Elliott. Elliott will remain at the Dragons in an organisation-wide leadership and culture development role.


Head's previously held roles of NRL Women's Premiership and Dragons Academy coach have been reallocated. Jamie Soward and Russ Aitken will join the Dragons in a full-time capacity as a result.

Former Sharks and Storm playmaker Aitken will continue in his role as Knock On Effect Cup coach and will add Dragons development coach to his responsibilities in 2022.

Soward has been named as the club's new NRL Women's Premiership coach. The 2010 premiership winner will also have a key role in the Dragons' Female Academy and continue to act as an NRL specialist coach as part of his role.

Ryan Bailey returns to the club as an athletic development coach. Bailey will act as a vital conduit between the first grade program and the club's pathways. Additionally, Bailey will become the Dragons' first full-time NRLW performance manager.

Dragons general manager of football Ben Haran said the new appointments will benefit the entirety of the club's football operations.

"We are extremely pleased with the quality personnel joining the Dragons' expanding football department," Haran said.

"These additions will all play crucial roles throughout the Dragons' football structure, ensuring a stronger connection between the NRL and NRLW programs, the NSWRL competitions we compete in and our junior representative pathways.

"The Dragons' dedication to our male and female academies and our vast catchment area will continue with the further allocation of resources toward our development programs."

The majority of the Dragons' 2022 squad will return for pre-season training in November.


Is this good or bad news ?

A bit of a case of be careful what you wish for.

There where 'requests' to hire a younger assistant, well there you have it Mat Head. Reading between the lines, succession planning taking shape, and it won't happen after next year either.

Not impressed with Aitken's first year with the KOE Cup squad, will need to pick up his game, imo, and now he appears to have added more responsibility.

Happy Sowie is still involved also at an increased level within the club.
 

TruSaint

Referee
Messages
20,093
Elliott given a "leadership and culture development role"- sounds like a Clayton's job to me- No mention of Gentle at all- Head to be Head?

From the article.

"Peter Gentle will remain as Griffin's other NRL assistant coach."

 

Dragon David

First Grade
Messages
7,374
Our defence was hopeless last year. If Gentle is still the defensive coach for 2022, our attack will need to be better so we score more tries than we let in.
 

denis preston

First Grade
Messages
8,157
Can see that Elliott's "outside of the square " ideas may not have gelled with Hook. Some on here much closer to the club don't rate Head and Gentle has to be under the pump whilst the side leaks points like a sieve. All in all if we suck next year they should all go ( and not replaced with old boys & Illawarra hangers on )
 

boardlumps62

Juniors
Messages
1,481
Head 👎
Aitken 👎
Soward 👍
Bloody hell George Dragon wasn't Head the Coach of some of our Junior Sides who had attacking skills out of this world while our NRL side played the most boring unattractive no attack style of football I've ever seen under Super Coach. There was on game that Head must have replaced Mary who was sick (or hungover) no I'm making this up. Remember that game Rava made the initial a bust and we scored a length of the field try.
My point is Give me Head
 
Last edited:

blacksafake

First Grade
Messages
8,988
I liked Head as a player & he appeared to be a smart player BUT some Smart posters closer to the scene than most, who’s views I enjoy on here such as George Dragon don’t rate him at all, which is a concern moving forward.
 

Maddragon99

Juniors
Messages
2,075
Several key personnel appointments to the Dragons' football department have been announced ahead of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership season.

Mat Head headlines the department's personnel changes as Anthony Griffin's new assistant coach, a role he took on in the interim last season.

The former minor premiership winning Knock On Effect Cup coach Head formally replaces Matthew Elliott. Elliott will remain at the Dragons in an organisation-wide leadership and culture development role.


Head's previously held roles of NRL Women's Premiership and Dragons Academy coach have been reallocated. Jamie Soward and Russ Aitken will join the Dragons in a full-time capacity as a result.

Former Sharks and Storm playmaker Aitken will continue in his role as Knock On Effect Cup coach and will add Dragons development coach to his responsibilities in 2022.

Soward has been named as the club's new NRL Women's Premiership coach. The 2010 premiership winner will also have a key role in the Dragons' Female Academy and continue to act as an NRL specialist coach as part of his role.

Ryan Bailey returns to the club as an athletic development coach. Bailey will act as a vital conduit between the first grade program and the club's pathways. Additionally, Bailey will become the Dragons' first full-time NRLW performance manager.

Dragons general manager of football Ben Haran said the new appointments will benefit the entirety of the club's football operations.

"We are extremely pleased with the quality personnel joining the Dragons' expanding football department," Haran said.

"These additions will all play crucial roles throughout the Dragons' football structure, ensuring a stronger connection between the NRL and NRLW programs, the NSWRL competitions we compete in and our junior representative pathways.

"The Dragons' dedication to our male and female academies and our vast catchment area will continue with the further allocation of resources toward our development programs."

The majority of the Dragons' 2022 squad will return for pre-season training in November.


Is this good or bad news ?
Posted in my second home the ‘sack Griffin’ thread, I think all the changes are positive. Things needed to change but there was never going to be wholesale changes either. I rate Matt Head & Sowie their greater involvement is a good thing. If Matt Elliott can have a impact in his new role then that’s fantastic.

Matty Head has served his apprenticeship & deserves the promotion, might save Griffin’s job.
 
Messages
947
Several key personnel appointments to the Dragons' football department have been announced ahead of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership season.

Mat Head headlines the department's personnel changes as Anthony Griffin's new assistant coach, a role he took on in the interim last season.

The former minor premiership winning Knock On Effect Cup coach Head formally replaces Matthew Elliott. Elliott will remain at the Dragons in an organisation-wide leadership and culture development role.


Head's previously held roles of NRL Women's Premiership and Dragons Academy coach have been reallocated. Jamie Soward and Russ Aitken will join the Dragons in a full-time capacity as a result.

Former Sharks and Storm playmaker Aitken will continue in his role as Knock On Effect Cup coach and will add Dragons development coach to his responsibilities in 2022.

Soward has been named as the club's new NRL Women's Premiership coach. The 2010 premiership winner will also have a key role in the Dragons' Female Academy and continue to act as an NRL specialist coach as part of his role.

Ryan Bailey returns to the club as an athletic development coach. Bailey will act as a vital conduit between the first grade program and the club's pathways. Additionally, Bailey will become the Dragons' first full-time NRLW performance manager.

Dragons general manager of football Ben Haran said the new appointments will benefit the entirety of the club's football operations.

"We are extremely pleased with the quality personnel joining the Dragons' expanding football department," Haran said.

"These additions will all play crucial roles throughout the Dragons' football structure, ensuring a stronger connection between the NRL and NRLW programs, the NSWRL competitions we compete in and our junior representative pathways.

"The Dragons' dedication to our male and female academies and our vast catchment area will continue with the further allocation of resources toward our development programs."

The majority of the Dragons' 2022 squad will return for pre-season training in November.


Is this good or bad news ?

Isn’t there a thread from 2013 already discussing this issue?
 

Maddragon99

Juniors
Messages
2,075
A bit of a case of be careful what you wish for.

There where 'requests' to hire a younger assistant, well there you have it Mat Head. Reading between the lines, succession planning taking shape, and it won't happen after next year either.

Not impressed with Aitken's first year with the KOE Cup squad, will need to pick up his game, imo, and now he appears to have added more responsibility.

Happy Sowie is still involved also at an increased level within the club.
I’ve been leading the chorus for younger support staff around Griffin so I’m happy with the announcement. A few Matt Head critics on here, I suggest waiting until next season before casting judgements.

All in all a positive step forward.
 

randomdragon

Juniors
Messages
1,825
I’ve been leading the chorus for younger support staff around Griffin so I’m happy with the announcement. A few Matt Head critics on here, I suggest waiting until next season before casting judgements.

All in all a positive step forward.
youre f**king kidding arent you? you tell us to wait till next season to see what head can do yet you think the club should sack griffin now? what has head done to show hes up to it
 

Maddragon99

Juniors
Messages
2,075
youre f**king kidding arent you? you tell us to wait till next season to see what head can do yet you think the club should sack griffin now? what has head done to show hes up to it
Griffin was never going to get sacked, I was asking for change & the club has made changes. For once I’m choosing to be positive & see how things play out.

Matty Head coached well at NSW Cup level so he does have some experience. Let’s see what happens.
 

randomdragon

Juniors
Messages
1,825
Griffin was never going to get sacked, I was asking for change & the club has made changes. For once I’m choosing to be positive & see how things play out.

Matty Head coached well at NSW Cup level so he does have some experience. Let’s see what happens.
What credentials does head have to say he will be a better first grade coach than hook? I’d love to see…
 

possm

Coach
Messages
15,587
Defence coach is still there. Elliot only lasted a year.
Dunno what to make of this
I'd say Elliot and Gentle signed on a two year deal with a further one year option in favour of the Club. If the Dragons defence does not significantly improve in 2022, both of them will be gonnski.
 
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