Dragons coach Anthony Griffin to be sacked with immediate effect following the struggling team’s shocking form – as the club announces who will fill in as a permanent replacement is found
- Anthony Griffin fired after Dragon board meeting
- After six consecutive defeats, the decision was inevitable
- Assistant Ryan Carr becomes interim coach at the club
- Jason Ryles and Ben Hornby likely 2024 candidates
St George Illawarra have sacked head coach Anthony Griffin after a run of six consecutive defeats.
Griffin – the first NRL coach to be given his marching orders this season – was informed by Dragons officials on Tuesday morning that he would be removed immediately, with Ryan Carr taking over in the meantime.
Saturday night’s 42-22 loss to North Queensland was considered the final nail in the coffin.
And in a decision that sums up the broken club, the Dragons arranged for eight players to present to the media at the club’s headquarters in Wollongong at 8:30am on Tuesday.
Red V chairman Andrew chairman Lancaster informed Griffin of the decision at 8am, but the players were subsequently faced with questions from the media to which they had no answers.
St George Illawarra have sacked head coach Anthony Griffin after a string of sixth consecutive defeats
Dragons CEO Ryan Webb said results “failed to meet club expectations” (pictured, players last weekend against the Cowboys)
St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt – a long-time Griffin supporter – is said to be furious at the way the club has handled the situation.
Since arriving with the Dragons in 2021 after previous spells with the Broncos (2011-14) and Panthers (2016-18), Griffin has coached a total of 58 games for the club for 22 wins and 36 losses, with a winning percentage of 39 per cent.
Griffin is also the third consecutive Dragons coach to be fired since Wayne Bennett left the club at the end of the 2011 season following a premiership last year.
Steve Price and Paul McGregor were also dropped mid-season over the past decade.
Dragons CEO Ryan Webb thanked Griffin for his contribution to the joint venture club over the past two and a half seasons.
“These decisions are never taken lightly and on behalf of the club I would like to thank Anthony for all his hard work during his time with the Dragons,” said Webb.
“Unfortunately, our performance in the first 10 games of this season fell short of the club’s expectations, so it was decided that he should end his duties this week.”
Captain Ben Hunt (pictured) is said to be furious after some of his teammates were confronted with questions from the media about Griffin’s sacking on Tuesday morning.
Dragons assistant coach Ryan Carr will assume interim coaching duties of the NRL side with immediate effect.
Carr previously coached at Parramatta and South Sydney before joining the Dragons this year.
The club board and management will continue to review head coaching candidates for the 2024 season.
The Dragons will host the Roosters on Friday night at Kogarah in southern Sydney from 6pm.