Ryles storms off as Dragons resume hunt
MICHAEL CARAYANNIS BRENT READ PHIL ROTHFIELD
Jason Ryles walked away from St George Illawarra with no guarantee he would be Craig Bellamy’s successor at the Storm as the Dragons prepare to alter their thinking of securing an untried coach.
Dragons officials were blindsided on Wednesday morning when Ryles told them he would not take up a four-year contract worth about $800,000 a season.
While the Dragons baulked at offering Ryles a five-year contract and final say on key roles within the organisation, they were happy to invest heavily in their former star prop and had guaranteed almost all of his expectations.
The Dragons wanted to secure Ryles before locking in any additions to their club, with those at the Dragons open to bringing in a prominent head of football.
The Dragons will now shift their attention to securing a new coach. They already held discussions with Dean Young but former teammate Ben Hornby is yet to have any contact with the club.
Hornby shares the same manager as Ryles and the failed talks has left a sour taste in the mouth of some Dragons officials.
They had planned to have an emerging coach lead the club post-Anthony Griffin. Now they will give serious thought to luring a proven mentor – the likes of John Morris, Michael Maguire or Shane Flanagan.
The Dragons had met Ryles as recently as Monday and left that get-together confident they had their man. Chief executive Ryan Webb received the bad news on Wednesday morning.
“It wasn’t the right time for him,” Webb said. “We appreciate him being honest and rather find out now than in six months’ time that he didn’t feel comfortable. We will continue on our process with the other candidates and hopefully bring it to a head shortly.”
Instead Ryles has opted to rejoin former club Melbourne next season with an eye on becoming Bellamy’s replacement should he step away within the next two seasons.
But there is no certainty that he will take over from Bellamy, which leaves the door ajar for Queensland coach Billy Slater to pursue the job should he wish.
Ryles’ decision clearly makes him the frontrunner for the position.
Storm chairman Matt Tripp confirmed there was “no guarantee Ryles will be replacing Bellamy”.
“He is coming down as a key candidate,” Tripp said.
“I would have Craig for another five years but if he doesn’t, we are spoilt for choice with Jason and some of the other very good assistants in the club. He will be value add to the club so why wouldn’t we create a role for him.
“He liked what he heard. I think we now have a really good succession plan for Craig if and when he decides to give it up.”
Contact has been had with Dean Young but not Hornby, god help us.