St George Illawarra’s decision to trigger a contract extension for coach Anthony Griffin in 2023 does make some sense even though many Dragons fans are predictably firing up.
The club announced on Wednesday night that the third year of his deal would be activated even though the team is yet to play a game this season.
Nobody at the Dragons would concede this publicly but the decision appears to be an admission that this is a rebuilding year and expectations for on-field results should be low.
In that sense, the Griffin extension is a prudent move. It means if the Dragons are struggling after the first few rounds there won’t be constant speculation about his future dogging him and the team throughout their 2022 campaign.
And, as CEO Ryan Webb alluded to in the club’s announcement, it gives Griffin a fair timeline to show he’s pointing the ship in the right direction.
Anthony ‘Hook’ Griffin. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
But that also means the clock is ticking for next year. If the team is still unable to start challenging for the finals midway through next season, Griffin’s chances of a second contract will be slim because the club can argue he’s been given a decent timeframe to prove he can take them back to title contention.
The Dragons fell away badly after the infamous Paul Vaughan barbecue incident after a promising first season under Griffin to finish 11th last season with an 8-16 record.
Griffin had been signed for a two-year deal with a club option on the third and the joint venture directors met on Tuesday and decided to retain his services rather than wait until as long as August, as per the clause in the contract.
The Red V are still in the midst of a transitional period for their roster and, like he did at Penrith with their production line of young talent, Griffin is banking on youth to deliver success.
With Ben Hunt, Tariq Sims, Josh McGuire and Andrew McCullough in the twilight of their careers, it’s time to build around Tyrell Sloan, Jayden Sullivan, Junior Amone, Zac Lorax and Cody Ramsey.
Off-season recruit Moses Suli is still only 23 despite already having stints at three clubs so there is plenty of upside in the former Manly centre.
Jack Bird looks ready to excel in a transition to a back-row berth and Maroons forward Jaydn Su’A joining the club from Souths is another building block for the future.
“I am very appreciative to extend my time as head coach of the Dragons,” Griffin said in the club statement.
“We are heading in the right direction, and myself and all the great people at the club are determined to play our roles in bringing future success to the Dragons.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far and I’m excited by what’s to come this season and beyond.
“The challenge of a new year starts this weekend in our first trial against Parramatta, and my immediate focus remains on a strong preparation for the upcoming season.”
Webb said the former Broncos and Panthers mentor had impressed club officials with his no-nonsense attitude during a transitional period.
“The club has undertaken a lot of change in the last 18 months and Anthony has played a positive role, both on and off the field,” Webb said.
“The board and I feel Anthony is the right man to continue setting the required standards to return the Dragons back to where they belong.”
David Cruickshank
Guest
Smart move by DRAGONS. It gives him time to mould the team . As well as bringing these HOT youngsters through . .... It also puts to bed that 4 the next two years The DRAGONS won't have the Favourite son TAG on him . As he is neither St George or Illawarra jnr
Dan
Roar Rookie
Ah let’s how many dumb points I can find there (not too hard really). So after your upstanding citizen goes and films himself and his paramour and gets found guilty (something De Belin wasn’t) the panthers keep him and only get rid of him after he makes a twat of himself online claiming he didn’t really do anything wrong. Then his mates at the club all come out and support him - obviously reading the room out west isn’t a thing. Contract extension for De Belin? Considering he wasn’t guilty of anything aside from tooling around on his missus (and anyone with even a gram of common sense new that accusation was BS) where’s the problem? Yeah top culture out west, I can see why they’re so popular with other clubs and fans.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
.. like a true born leader, he rallied his troops and then so gallantly showed his team the way forward. “Hide!” he cried, the famous war-cry of choice.
danwain
Roar Rookie
They have actually upgraded and resigned all the juniors mate, and have added some experience to support them
danwain
Roar Rookie
I think it takes pressure off him
danwain
Roar Rookie
He is a transitional coach without a doubt. They are hoping he gets them into a position over the next 2 years to start challenging the better teams, by developing the younger guys. I think this makes sense, the young guys need stability, and that’s what this move does.
Tony
Roar Guru
De Belin played 11 games last year, including 3 off the bench, and was captain in none of them
PantherMick
Roar Rookie
Theyve signed too many has beens. - money should be used to upgrade the juniors and not lose them continually
PantherMick
Roar Rookie
Was he named captain? Was he supported by the coach as a "leader"? was he given a contract extension? Does he still play for the panthers?
PantherMick
Roar Rookie
DeBelin hiding under the bed.....and then named as captain....
Tony
Roar Guru
Are we still talking about May?
JennyFromPenny
Guest
The cowardice of the man to merely avoid a monetary fine from Police will forever have people wondering what degree of integrity was shown to the courtroom.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
NNOOOOO NNNOOOOOOO NNNNNOOOOOOOOOO FPS NO NO Freakin groundhog day all over. They didn't learn from Mary and again rewarding mediocrity. I was all for Hook but his selections and attitude stinketh. Playing favourites with underperformers and letting talent go to waste.
Tony
Roar Guru
Yeah. I guess you can't record much when you're under the mattress.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
At least we done cower under the bed when there’s something to face up to.
Dan
Roar Rookie
Yeah, like someone else said - never been and isn’t now, any culture probs at Penrith. But hey at least our guy wasn’t actually found guilty and then backed up by his teammates. Culture my @r$e.
Wayne Turner
Guest
I agree with you ????.
Lord Ted Said
Roar Rookie
I think the primary logic with the one year extension of Griffin's contract is to invest further in a crop of exciting juniors who all play in key positions. If Saints don't start well that will have these kids in the middle of all the conjecture about the team, the coach, their futures etc. This way they've bought themselves time for them to grow as players and men and build the base for whatever the future holds. This is what Dragons fans are clinging to....that there were enough glimpses late last season to suggest this may be the only way forward - and to give an experienced coach security of tenure is a smart strategic move to realise that potential. The other recruits have experience to balance out that inexperience, and should be suitably motivated to extend their NRL careers or face a hard reality. Whoever made the comment to the tune of: other clubs are hardly tripping over each other to get Griffin forgets that the only coaches who are really in demand are Bellamy, Robinson and Bennett. The rest you could take or leave, Cleary included. 2023 should see them in the eight and very dangerous. Clutching? Maybe....but it goes in cycles and unless you are coached by the aforementioned big three you can't be assured of anything.
Tony
Roar Guru
Goobye Mbye?
matth
Roar Guru
Beautiful, I couldn’t think of a Maguire specific one other than Rub the Grub