NRL: Michael Clarke says Anthony Griffin has already been SACKED by the Dragons

Michael Clarke criticized the St George Illawarra Dragons for their “disgraceful” treatment of Anthony Griffin after the NRL club effectively “fired” their manager.

Reports surfaced on Tuesday that the Dragons coach would have to reapply for his job, with his contract set to expire at the end of 2023.

St George Illawarra intend to assess their options before making a decision, and former Dragons star Jason Ryle is believed to have piqued the interest of club bosses.

But former Australia Test captain Clarke believes the Dragons have already sealed Griffin’s fate and was scathing for not being decisive.

“This is called a sugar coating,” Clarke said on Sky Sports Radio.

The St George Illawarra manager has been told to reapply for his position with the club.

Has been fired. He should not reapply. It’s embarrassing for him. It’s embarrassing for the Dragons if he applies again and gets it.’

Clarke recalled how former Australia manager Tim Nielsen also found himself in a similar situation in 2011, saying his former mentor was “kicked in the stomach”.

“I saw this happen with Tim Neilsen,” Clarke said.

“They told him, ‘We’re looking elsewhere, you can reapply.’ It was horrible. It was a horrible process to be a part of.

‘It was very hard for the coach and the players to support the coach and support the coach.

‘And now it’s three games into the season, and he (Griffin) can’t be there next year. It’s a kind, soft and polite way of saying that you won’t be there next season with us.

‘Unless the 15 people we want to (train) can’t agree to the terms and then we’ll reappoint you. Game over. There will be a new coach on the Dragons next year.

Clarke also noted the odd timing of the story, insisting that the club had all summer to remove Griffin and that this season has already been cancelled.

“If they were going to fire him, they should have done it before the start of the year,” he said.

Clarke believes the club have already written off their 2023 campaign

‘How can you go out and say that in three games? That’s the only thing. Before a ball was kicked around this season, they should have already made the decision that he won’t be there next year.

They haven’t been that bad. Why haven’t they done that during the off-season? What have you seen in the last three weeks to make you change direction? Has any other coach terminated their contract in the last three weeks?

‘I don’t think they have worried about their coach. And I don’t think they cared about their team. They broke their season and said, ‘You know what, we don’t care. This can’t help the playgroup.

‘Reapply? What a slap in the face. Is anyone going to reapply in that situation?’