Dragons Coach 2021 and Beyond

[boardlumps62]

Well I didn't think I'd say it but give Dean Young a shot. I just heard NRL 360 interview and he sounded knowledgeable willing, able and convincing.
If you heard it don't think you can deny his passion. Think he might be smarter than Craig.
But Ben Hornby could say the same nearly about himself.
If Flanagan's not there image if Hornby came back after a two year stint with Bennett.
And image if Benny came back in 2022 retired on the south coast became Recruitment Manager.
And image even more is he had little Benny's who all became Wingers and Coaches in St George/Illawarra country.

 

[boardlumps62]

Hard for me to understand why we would hire a coach out of the ESL.
NRL is not the ESL and even if Wane is a genuine prospect it is still another gamble.
Bennett, Fitzgibbon and Toovey any day of the week would do a great job at St. George in no particular order.

No to Toovey thanks.

 

[redVinme]

Hard for me to understand why we would hire a coach out of the ESL.
NRL is not the ESL and even if Wane is a genuine prospect it is still another gamble.
Bennett, Fitzgibbon and Toovey any day of the week would do a great job at St. George in no particular order.

I like fitzy as an option too but I don't think you can undersell wane like that.

What's more likely?
3x premiership winning coach in the esl assimilating into the nrl and being successful. Keeping in mind he will have assistants that will help the transition.

Or
Untested assistant coach who has worked with the salary sombrero roosters and never been tested Outside a stacked team.

Again I still think fitzy is a good choice but you can't compare the two.

I'm also aware that wane coached one of the few top teams. But again so are the roosters.

 

[redVinme]

Well I didn't think I'd say it but give Dean Young a shot. I just heard NRL 360 interview and he sounded knowledgeable willing, able and convincing.
If you heard it don't think you can deny his passion. Think he might be smarter than Craig.
But Ben Hornby could say the same nearly about himself.
If Flanagan's not there image if Hornby came back after a two year stint with Bennett.
And image if Benny came back in 2022 retired on the south coast became Recruitment Manager.
And image even more is he had little Benny's who all became Wingers and Coaches in St George/Illawarra country.

Unless there is proof that Mary didn't let Dean coach at all he is still responsible for last years defence. Which was abysmal.

He says he knows what a top 4 team looks like. Leaking 24 points against the worst Broncos team ever doesn't show it. Yes it'll take time but telling the fans that was an 80min performance is bullshit. His words verbatim.

 

[Saints Forever]

Unless there is proof that Mary didn't let Dean coach at all he is still responsible for last years defence. Which was abysmal.

He says he knows what a top 4 team looks like. Leaking 24 points against the worst Broncos team ever doesn't show it. Yes it'll take time but telling the fans that was an 80min performance is bullshit. His words verbatim.

I believe he was referring to 80 minutes of effort.

Our defence is still ordinary to mediocre.

Defence is all about mindset. This takes time to build.

 

[redVinme]

I believe he was referring to 80 minutes of effort.

Our defence is still ordinary to mediocre.

Defence is all about mindset. This takes time to build.

Again, in this I agree with you. I am aware it will take time. Again though I must say why wasn't deano instilling this defensive mindset through all the years of being assistant?

Seems fitzy Has been?

 

[Saints Forever]

Again, in this I agree with you. I am aware it will take time. Again though I must say why wasn't deano instilling this defensive mindset through all the years of being assistant?

I agree with you as to both mindset and technique.

It’s primarily the reason I would prefer:

Bennett
Wane
Fitzgibbbon
Flanagan

What I do like about Dean Young is that he is honest with his assessment as to where we are at as a first grade side.

I don’t believe he has the answers at this stage of his career.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Well I didn't think I'd say it but give Dean Young a shot. I just heard NRL 360 interview and he sounded knowledgeable willing, able and convincing.
If you heard it don't think you can deny his passion. Think he might be smarter than Craig.
But Ben Hornby could say the same nearly about himself.
If Flanagan's not there image if Hornby came back after a two year stint with Bennett.
And image if Benny came back in 2022 retired on the south coast became Recruitment Manager.
And image even more is he had little Benny's who all became Wingers and Coaches in St George/Illawarra country.

I"ve yet to hear anyone in the NRL commentariat talk about anyone aspiring to being an NRL Head coach as being a "dumb" coach. Young, Hornby, Fitzgibbon, Ryles, Demetriou, Flanagan, Walters, Griffin, Daley, Toovey, Payten et al have all been praised for their smarts by journos and current Head coaches at some stage so I'm taking the view that you have to judge them on achievements.

Young's achievements as Mary's defensive coach over the past six years have been awful. So of the three criteria identified for the Head Coach -strong on defence, experience in a winning culture and strong on discipline he fails on at least two.

 

[boardlumps62]

I"ve yet to hear anyone in the NRL commentariat talk about anyone aspiring to being an NRL Head coach as being a "dumb" coach. Young, Hornby, Fitzgibbon, Ryles, Demetriou, Flanagan, Walters, Griffin, Daley, Toovey, Payten et al have all been praised for their smarts by journos and current Head coaches at some stage so I'm taking the view that you have to judge them on achievements.

Young's achievements as Mary's defensive coach over the past six years have been awful. So of the three criteria identified for the Head Coach -strong on defence, experience in a winning culture and strong on discipline he fails on at least two.

It's like another Club. We have each NRL Club where it's a "Boys Club" where they draw their coaches and support staff even CEO's. Now we have NRL Media Club who nominate or guess the next NRL Coach thus we have "Coaches Club". Even Ben Ikin was singing the praises of Dean Young as was Laurie Daly. They seem to be "Just One Big Club" all getting along just to get along be it for a job for some news can't really believe it half the time.

 

[blacksafake]

Dean Young is on Fox 360 tonight.

After watching I’m convinced he’s already been told he’s got the job.

 

[Kylez3]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/griffin-the-front-runner-for-dragons-job-20200824-p55otd.html

Anthony Griffin the front-runner?

 

[Mjab]

After watching I’m convinced he’s already been told he’s got the job.

I didn’t see it
But surely not , the BOD and Webb must have more sense that an internal rookie who has been part of the problem for a few years here
Imagine the outcry and the pressure young would be under

Bennett with Young , I will cop that
Maybe even Griffin and Young as they have form
Those 2 happy to have Young as assistant I assume

but any others would be saying I choose my team and assistants wouldn’t they?
Imagine Wane being told , by the way your knew defensive coach is .....Young because he’s an old boy and did a great job in 2019 and his dads on the board

 

[redv13]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/griffin-the-front-runner-for-dragons-job-20200824-p55otd.html

Anthony Griffin the front-runner?

Not too shabby. I like him, not everyone’s cup of tea but he is old school, doesn’t take shit and he has had success at Brisbane and Penrith b4 politics screwed him at both clubs. Plus Gould was threatened by his success so that’s a big yes from me. Only an egotistical knob like Gus would sack him when they were humming along in the top 4 6 weeks from the semis. Welcome aboard Coach Griffin

 

[redVinme]

Not too shabby. I like him, not everyone’s cup of tea but he is old school, doesn’t take shit and he has had success at Brisbane and Penrith b4 politics screwed him at both clubs. Plus Gould was threatened by his success so that’s a big yes from me. Only an egotistical knob like Gus would sack him when they were humming along in the top 4 6 weeks from the semis. Welcome aboard Coach Griffin

If Griffin came I'd want Matt head to move assistant as the attack of our reggies was actually slick. Let deano be an assistant and if nsw cup comes back. Coach that team. Might seem dumb but would create stronger pathways between the 2 teams and would allow deano to be head coach and try to win a comp for the cv

 

[getsmarty]

Griffin the front-runner for Dragons job
Michael Chammas
August 24, 2020 — 10.00pm
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Anthony Griffin is the early front-runner to replace Paul McGregor as St George Illawarra coach.

The club has placed the former Panthers mentor atop a shortlist presented to the board as the Dragons prepare to begin formal interviews.

Anthony Griffin is the early favourite for the vacant Dragons job.Credit:NRL Photos

Sources close to discussions have told the Herald that one of Griffin's strongest supporters is also one of his rivals for the job. Interim Dragons coach Dean Young has provided the club with a glowing endorsement of Griffin from their time together as assistants with the Tongan national team last year. The Dragons want Young to remain as an assistant if he misses out on the top job.

Also in Griffin's favour is his experience with halves Corey Norman and Ben Hunt, who he coached as juniors at the Broncos before again taking them under his wing as Brisbane's NRL coach from 2011 to 2014.

At a board meeting last Tuesday, Dragons directors prioritised defence, discipline and a history of being involved in successful cultures as the three main criteria they are looking for when they appoint McGregor's successor in the next month.

Other names in the mix include Newcastle Knights assistant David Furner and Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon. However, the Dragons are resigned to the fact that Fitzgibbon is unlikely to leave the Roosters before the end of next season such is his loyalty to chairman Nick Politis and coach Trent Robinson.

Gould and Griffin during their time together at the Panthers.Credithoto Supplied

If Fitzgibbon changes his mind, he will likely leapfrog Griffin to the top of the list. It's unlikely current assistant coach Shane Flanagan will remain at the Dragons if Griffin gets the job.

Griffin, who spent time at the Storm and Broncos before linking with Phil Gould and the Penrith Panthers in 2016, ticks all three boxes but has struggled to get a look-in since his acrimonious exit from the foot of the mountains on the eve of the 2018 finals series.

There's a belief at the Dragons that McGregor may have been too close to the players during his seven-year reign as coach, which could have created an environment of complacency.


Griffin is known as a strict disciplinarian and has had a high level of success in the NRL, with a 55.5 per cent win ratio from 173 games.

The 53-year-old led Brisbane (53.5 per cent win rate) to three finals series in four years before Wayne Bennett's second coming ended his tenure.

He was then head-hunted by Gould to replace Ivan Cleary in 2016, guiding the Panthers (58 per cent) to back-to-back finals appearances before he was shown the door on the eve of a third finals series while his team sat in fourth position.

Griffin debuted 16 players in his two-and-a-half-year stint at the Panthers, including Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Dylan Edwards, Corey Harawira-Naera and Viliame Kikau. He also coached Dragons prop Trent Merrin during his time at Penrith.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/griffin-the-front-runner-for-dragons-job-20200824-p55otd.html

 

[JamesRustle]

David Furner... good assistant, garbage head coach. Pls no.

 

[gitano]

Off topic in here but what are your thoughts on who should be appointed coach and why??

So hard to say, I wouldn't rush into it.

Young/Flanagan might be a decent stop gap and we have a free trial now.
A premiership coach helping a premiership player from our last win.

I think truly rounded head coaches are like genuine all-rounders in cricket. Super valuable, but very rare and hard to manufacture. Reality is there aren't many coaches out there, even currently in NRL head coaching positions, who have man-management and the technical stuff truly covered.

I think some teams recognise now it's more than a one man job. The head coach can just be a media mouthpiece and coordinator, which say a Cleary seems to be, while a coaching team run the technical side.

Fitzgibbon seems ideal, especially working under Robinson who obviously has both aspects covered.

But if we can't land the big fish, I see no issue spending more money on the team behind the coach.

For me, we need someone intelligent at the top who can keep a side invested. There's plenty of coaches who can deliver a short response, but as we're seeing at the Tigers that doesn't last.

So my long answer to your short question is

Sit on Young/Flanagan into next year. Give them a pre-season and 8 rounds. If no good, move on Fitzy who is content under Robinson for now anyway.

What will our board do though?

Completely panic, spend way too much on getting a big name to appease the masses and take pressure off themselves before the end of the season. Betterment of our footy side will be second on the agenda to some solid PR.

 

[St Georgio]

Griffin the front-runner for Dragons job
Michael Chammas
August 24, 2020 — 10.00pm
Leave a comment


Anthony Griffin is the early front-runner to replace Paul McGregor as St George Illawarra coach.

The club has placed the former Panthers mentor atop a shortlist presented to the board as the Dragons prepare to begin formal interviews.

Anthony Griffin is the early favourite for the vacant Dragons job.Credit:NRL Photos

Sources close to discussions have told the Herald that one of Griffin's strongest supporters is also one of his rivals for the job. Interim Dragons coach Dean Young has provided the club with a glowing endorsement of Griffin from their time together as assistants with the Tongan national team last year. The Dragons want Young to remain as an assistant if he misses out on the top job.

Also in Griffin's favour is his experience with halves Corey Norman and Ben Hunt, who he coached as juniors at the Broncos before again taking them under his wing as Brisbane's NRL coach from 2011 to 2014.

At a board meeting last Tuesday, Dragons directors prioritised defence, discipline and a history of being involved in successful cultures as the three main criteria they are looking for when they appoint McGregor's successor in the next month.

Other names in the mix include Newcastle Knights assistant David Furner and Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon. However, the Dragons are resigned to the fact that Fitzgibbon is unlikely to leave the Roosters before the end of next season such is his loyalty to chairman Nick Politis and coach Trent Robinson.

Gould and Griffin during their time together at the Panthers.Credithoto Supplied

If Fitzgibbon changes his mind, he will likely leapfrog Griffin to the top of the list. It's unlikely current assistant coach Shane Flanagan will remain at the Dragons if Griffin gets the job.

Griffin, who spent time at the Storm and Broncos before linking with Phil Gould and the Penrith Panthers in 2016, ticks all three boxes but has struggled to get a look-in since his acrimonious exit from the foot of the mountains on the eve of the 2018 finals series.

There's a belief at the Dragons that McGregor may have been too close to the players during his seven-year reign as coach, which could have created an environment of complacency.


Griffin is known as a strict disciplinarian and has had a high level of success in the NRL, with a 55.5 per cent win ratio from 173 games.

The 53-year-old led Brisbane (53.5 per cent win rate) to three finals series in four years before Wayne Bennett's second coming ended his tenure.

He was then head-hunted by Gould to replace Ivan Cleary in 2016, guiding the Panthers (58 per cent) to back-to-back finals appearances before he was shown the door on the eve of a third finals series while his team sat in fourth position.

Griffin debuted 16 players in his two-and-a-half-year stint at the Panthers, including Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Dylan Edwards, Corey Harawira-Naera and Viliame Kikau. He also coached Dragons prop Trent Merrin during his time at Penrith.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/griffin-the-front-runner-for-dragons-job-20200824-p55otd.html

Another coach I would be happy to have at the Red V.

Griffin is known as a strict disciplinarian and has had a high level of success in the NRL, with a 55.5 per cent win ratio from 173 games

He was then head-hunted by Gould to replace Ivan Cleary in 2016, guiding the Panthers (58 per cent) to back-to-back finals appearances before he was shown the door on the eve of a third finals series while his team sat in fourth position

Shaune Wane is Still my pick, 3 time Premiership winner, with Dean Young his assistant.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

I wouldn't be going anywhere near Anthony Griffin.

Sure, we need a fresh face with new ideas, but Griffin is a stone-cold prick who can easily lose a dressing room after one season. Not to mention his philosophy on attack is just about as boring and one-dimensional as Mary's.

The fans need hope for this club, something to get excited about. Griffin doesn't bring that.

 

[possm]

Well I didn't think I'd say it but give Dean Young a shot. I just heard NRL 360 interview and he sounded knowledgeable willing, able and convincing.
If you heard it don't think you can deny his passion. Think he might be smarter than Craig.
But Ben Hornby could say the same nearly about himself.
If Flanagan's not there image if Hornby came back after a two year stint with Bennett.
And image if Benny came back in 2022 retired on the south coast became Recruitment Manager.
And image even more is he had little Benny's who all became Wingers and Coaches in St George/Illawarra country.

Talk is cheap, it is actions and experience that counts. Don't be sucked in by the spin and the heart felt passion. Out of 3 assistants and with some candidates for the head coach position already available e.g. Wane, the Board chose to make Young the interim coach and at a time they freely expressed would give him the best chance of chalking up some wins. The question is why did the Board after relentlessly supporting Mary for so long, all of a sudden, decide to move him on and give Young the interim job.

After doing a great job at the Board promoting the idea for his son to be given the interim coach job, Craig Young announced he would be taking a break from the Board while a decision is made on the long term coach. By that time the deed was done.

For me, I'd like to see nepotism and corruption rid from our Club and see the Board favouritism given to Mary, Millward and now Young as an example of the rot that has lowered the high standards this Club once was renowned for.

Initially, I am very sceptical of this whole arrangement and will not be convinced of Young's suitability until I see significant actions that warrant confidence in his ability to coach at such a high level. Next will come the spin that Young bleeds red and white and that he is a career coach. His failure to make a difference will be explained away with the same old lines Mary used;
It is not the squad I need
I need better assistants
It will take time to turn things around

I will continue to be sceptical until I see real change and real results.