Dragons coach Anthony Griffin.Credit:NRL Photos
Sources with knowledge of the two-year contract told theHerald the club had until August to take up an option for Griffin to continue for a third year in 2023 but didn’t want to head into the season with speculation and uncertainty hovering.
Despite moving up the ladder just one position,from 12th to 11th,in Griffin’s first year as Paul McGregor’s successor last season,the club is pleased with the development of the young players and the recruitment drive led by the coach.
Griffin has overhauled a roster that,before his arrival,had only played finals football once since 2015.
He opted against extending the contracts of skipper Cameron McInnes,fullback Matt Dufty and five-eighth Corey Norman,instead luring Francis Molo,Jaydn Su’A,George Burgess,Moses Mbye,Aaron Woods and Moses Suli to the club in the off-season.
Dragons coach Anthony Griffin will be at the helm until at least the end of 2023.
Griffin and the Dragons started the year strong in 2021 before a mid-season slump. Their campaign was turned on its head after the infamous barbecue scandal at Paul Vaughan’s house,which led to the prop forward being sacked for breaching a NSW Public Health order.
Despite the roster overhaul and the emergence of young talents like Tyrell Sloan and Junior Amone,the Dragons head into the new year as $3.50 equal favourites for the wooden spoon alongside the Wests Tigers.