Coaching preference for 2024

[Dragon David]

IMO Hunt is a very good individual player, but not a great hooker or halfback and not a great team player or captain. He excels at rep level because having great players around him really suits his individual style of play. He scores Dally M points at club level because his individual skills really stand-out. However, I think we're feeling the effects of the excessive reliance we've invested in him - on the field but also, especially, off the field, since he came to us in 2018.

He seems to be very 'political'. There's been such a sequence since he came to the club: Mary and McInnes exit, Hook employed, McGuire, McCullough, Mbye recruited. Hunt, McGuire, McCullough all played in the 2008 Brisbane Broncos Toyota Cup premiership winning side. Mbye and Corey Norman also came through the Qld junior sides and into the Broncos around that time. Hunt's first grade career really started in 2010. Hook coached that Toyota Cup side and took over from Ivan Henjack as 1st grade coach in 2011. He had a pretty good coaching record, which got even better, in fact, it was very good, while he was at Penrith.

It's very noticeable that Hunt and Mbye have spoken publicly in support of Hook. It's also starkly obvious that all of these guys are rusted on to each other. No doubt they're justifiably proud of their past achievements and it seems they really have faith in Hook as a coach - but their real high-point with Hook was 15 years ago now!

Also, no doubt, coaching the Dragon's has been an absolute prick of a job. I think it's just very obvious that this 'Qld mates' thing has made the task much more difficult (even though they think they've 'got this') and the challenge has been compounded by the fact that the favouritism, which, let's be honest, has been stubbornly on full display, must have been incredibly demotivating for everyone else.

Whether it's been with the best of intentions or poor judgment, it hasn't worked at all. It's time to face the facts. They might have been a great team 15 years ago, but not any more.

Nicely put Mojo.

 

[Dragon David]

What I don't get is that prior to us landing Bennett for 2009-2011, the people entrusted with the overseeing of the Joint Venture must have determined what the club needed to get us to that final hurdle and achieve that trophy in 2010. We had Nathan Brown in charge and while he did quite well, the Board must have thought that all the players needed was a guy who could do just that little more change with the squad to get a team capable of winning the comp besides what that guy has the reputation of being able to man manage the team - they signed Wayne Bennett.

Now for the few years after Bennett left, we had Price, then McGregor. Surely they would have been able to make proper judgement that we needed someone much better than those two and searched high and low to get the man they thought would be able to do a Bennett job. I know they tried getting Bennett again but News Corp found a way to lure him back to the Broncos, so someone that was similar. I don't know who was around at that time but surely there would have been much better coaches around to replace Mary. We ended up with Griffin because the guys that they really wanted "did not want to come to the Dragons". How hard did they try? Money talks all languages and our Bossman, Mr Bruce should have been persuaded to do his thing by hook or by crook to lure the best before Hook was given the satisfaction of standing in front of the TV cameras saying how glad he got the job.

The murky water in the rivers have gone up and down for so long and it is now time for the members of the Board to really do their utmost in securing the best guy that is now available or becoming available or able to get out of deals to be available to be our head coach in 2024 if not sooner.

 

[Mojo]

To my point - Hook had a 58% win ratio at Penrith and in 2020 / 21 our star halfback would undoubtedly have been singing his praises. It didn’t turn out the way they envisioned, did it!

 

[Slippery Morris]

At the time of appointing Hook, it was a step in the right direction as they did get a guy with experience in the NRL who coached teams in Final series. It was the better choice than Young and Furner in the end as Fitzy declined. Young would have been another Mary appointment and they fans would have gone nuts as for Furner, he has been terrible every gig he has been in. They did step away from the guy that was outside the club and appointed a coach sort of similar to Bennet but not quite Bennet. We had some optimism that we would improve but after 2 years it was obvious he was not the guy. The only issue is they gave him too much support and gave him another year. They should have pulled the trigger last year but they re-signed him early in the season and backed themselves in the corner. All the off-season rubbish clouded their judgement and they felt sorry for him blaming that as a distraction.

It's weird how before they appointed Hook they had this review done by Gould. Gould sacked Hook when at Penrith before they appointed Hook, I am sure that Gus would have told them not to go for Hook based on his experience if they reached out to him before giving it the green light. Goes to show how much they valued Gus's input.

 

[Mojo]

Gould had made his opinion very, very clear, having been a driving force behind Hook's demise at Penrith. It would have been a question not needing to be asked.

 

[Lovemedragons]

At the time of appointing Hook, it was a step in the right direction as they did get a guy with experience in the NRL who coached teams in Final series. It was the better choice than Young and Furner in the end as Fitzy declined. Young would have been another Mary appointment and they fans would have gone nuts as for Furner, he has been terrible every gig he has been in. They did step away from the guy that was outside the club and appointed a coach sort of similar to Bennet but not quite Bennet. We had some optimism that we would improve but after 2 years it was obvious he was not the guy. The only issue is they gave him too much support and gave him another year. They should have pulled the trigger last year but they re-signed him early in the season and backed themselves in the corner. All the off-season rubbish clouded their judgement and they felt sorry for him blaming that as a distraction.

It's weird how before they appointed Hook they had this review done by Gould. Gould sacked Hook when at Penrith before they appointed Hook, I am sure that Gus would have told them not to go for Hook based on his experience if they reached out to him before giving it the green light. Goes to show how much they valued Gus's input.

It was a stupid review done purely for politics

 

[thebigredv]

Do the Dragons have Bellamy’s agent’s number?
I don’t see much else out there.
I mean Hynes and Fitzgibbon would have made an impact but they didn’t want to come. The position is even less attractive now albeit with a bit of young talent to work with. We need a coach bigger than the board. I can only think of one who might be available.

Failing that, give Hasler a crack I suppose. Will have a few connections.

A big hole the board have dug us into over the years. I’ve read a lot of wisdom in this forum over the years and yet there is our team still dishing up the same rubbish as if they’ve never even had a coach. Hardly seems fair for the fan that wants the club to be great again.

 

[Dea]

I don’t believe there is a premiership winning coach willing to come who I want to come to the club. Bellamy would be great but I can’t see him coming. Robinson would be another I would want at the club but it would never happen. Hasler might be available but I am not convinced he is what I want.

 

[mickeylane]

I definitely agree this would be the ideal coaching arrangement for the club but I don’t think an assistant role with a succession plan is alluring enough to snag the likes of Ryles especially with the Melbourne job potentially in the mix. I reckon the only chance we can get Ryles is if we go at him hard and fast as head coach before Bellamy makes up his mind for next year. Young or Hornby might consider the succession plan though as they have more skin in the club.

Slater has the Melbourne job to lose .. if he wants it it’s his and until then Ryles will await Billy’s decision before making any move..those are the dominoes yet to fall IMO.
if Slater accepts Storm job, Ryles w be Head Coach at Dragons in 24… if he doesn’t Ryles will be offered the Storm job which means Dragons w go w either
Flanagan or
Young
with Hornby , Hasler as outsiders and possibly Madge, Potter also throwing their hats in

 

[hewi]

Board meeting to decide Griffin’s fate
DRAGONS WILL DISCUSS THEIR SHORTLIST OF HEAD COACH CANDIDATES
MICHAEL CARAYANNIS DAVID RICCIO - RUGBY LEAGUE
EXCLUSIVE

A shortlist of coaches will be discussed at a St George Illawarra board meeting next Tuesday – a critical step in determining the fate of head coach Anthony Griffin.

In a major development, The Australian can reveal the Dragons board are expected to be presented with the best coaching options to replace Griffin following a fortnight of research by senior management into who is best suited in resurrecting the club.

Jason Ryles, Ben Hornby, Dean Young and Shane Flanagan, along with Griffin, are all likely to be discussed.

The Dragons board will then evaluate their hit list of candidates who they want to formally interview before making a decision on who will take control of the team long-term.

Griffin is considered long odds to retain his position, however he is expected to be part of potential candidates.

He won’t need to reapply for his job – he is either reappointed or told he no longer has the job.

The Dragons will make their mind up on Griffin within the next month and by then they may have already spoken directly to potential candidates.

Griffin has no interest in walking from the job mid-season.

However, if he did, assistant coach Ryan Carr would be asked to take over for the remainder of the season.

Senior club officials are yet to meet with coaching candidates directly but that could change after they draft a list of contenders.

Ryles is considered the frontrunner, but he has yet to commit to having an interest in the role until one becomes available.

The Roosters assistant coach is also a leading candidate to replace Craig Bellamy at the Storm.

Ryles and Hornby share the same agent. Hornby is in the final year of his deal at South Sydney and has some support among the Dragons ranks.

The club’s 2010 premiershipwinning captain has worked closely alongside Wayne Bennett and Jason Demetriou in recent years.

Flanagan has ambitions to return to the head coaching ranks.

He has support from within the club due to his proven premiership success and also his understanding of the inner workings of the club.

He was part of the Dragons’ setup last season as head of recruitment but has since taken up a deal to be Anthony Seibold’s assistant at Manly

THE BELL IS RINGING ID SAY A LOSS ON SUNDAY AND HE IS COOKED

 

[DragonBorn95]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.nine.com.au/article/77caa381-0ce8-4b8b-b74f-eb2925b6ab51 .. Shaun wane, hasler or madge who will it be

 

[Gippsy]

No mention of Hasler...shame, from Hewi's post. Thrilled to see the story from the Mole.

I agree with Gould that we need someone from outside the club.

 

[Coffs dragon]

Plenty of leaks & rumours being thrown around now and you would think the end is inevitable soon.
Based on The Moles article that the Dragons will look outside the old boys brigade, Des Hasler seems a no brainer choice.
My old Manly mates all love him and reckon he’s a stickler for fitness & discipline first and foremost.
Two things our team desperately need, along with some speed!

 

[steerlerbab]

Last night @ NRL 360, Dragons next coaching appointment was discussed. Here are points that stood out for me:

1. We do not have a recruitment manager. That is why Dragons are going down the path of prolonged list of coaches. Good clubs determine who they want and go get their guy.
2. Since we have no recruitment manager, the board makes the decision and we have a fractured board. The problem is that the two factions want different people.
3. Due to not having a recruitment manager, we now have 1 marquee player. Even at Mcgregor era we had 5 marquee player before everything went sour 2019. Example of Jack Wighton was brought up that nobody from Dragons is talking to him.
4. The board meeting is next Tuesday.
5. Interim coaches never succeed if Griffin asked to leave or decides to walk.
6. St George does things differently to other clubs
7. Finally, Shane or Hasler know what winning culture is, whereas a rookie like Jason or Ben may fail.

Anyways, let's see what would happen next Tuesday.

 

[hewi]

Outsider yes from me, Hasler first Flanagan second.

 

[Lovemedragons]

Outsider yes from me, Hasler first Flanagan second.

What if Bellamy was a chance? Where is he going after Melbourne? Snagging him would solve many problems…it would be the same feeling as when they announced Bennett’s signature. They should throw the kitchen sink and anything else we have lying around to land him.

 

[hewi]

What if Bellamy was a chance? Where is he going after Melbourne? Snagging him would solve many problems…it would be the same feeling as when they announced Bennett’s signature. They should throw the kitchen sink and anything else we have lying around to land him.

I just made the assumption he wouldn’t be coming

 

[justadragon]

For me Hasler is the only one that can tell the board to stay out of football matters and just concentrate on getting the club to where it should be. It would be untenable to have another coach appointed and leave Hook there for the rest of the season. I wouldn't like Flannagan , as far as I'm concerned he did nothing whilst he was there in any role he was in. Defense didnt improve, attack didnt improve and nor did R+R. Hasler or Bellamy, nothing else.

 

[Como Connection]

For me Hasler is the only one that can tell the board to stay out of football matters and just concentrate on getting the club to where it should be. It would be untenable to have another coach appointed and leave Hook there for the rest of the season. I wouldn't like Flannagan , as far as I'm concerned he did nothing whilst he was there in any role he was in. Defense didnt improve, attack didnt improve and nor did R+R. Hasler or Bellamy, nothing else.

Looking more and more Des as we read these reports.
CC

 

[Parko1310]

Well that board member has literally just told us they've decided on Griffin, he won't be here as he "hasn't worked as well as we had hoped". If not Ryles, Des would be a horrible option in my opinion. Our salary cap has only just gotten back into shape, and every manly fan I've spoken to says Hasler is past it. I mean, just look at Manly, their salary cap is a mess. About a third of their top 30 salary cap is invested in three players. Flanagan, god no. He's been there and done it, and maybe he can bring a level of success, but he's a deadset cheat. He also doesn't get the direction this club's heading as united entity. In commentary he constantly refers to us as "St George" only. He may bring short term success, but he will not continue the good stuff off the field Griffin has been building. So for me it's John Morris or Madge.