Monday Buzz: Dragons bosses Craig Young and Ryan Webb’s differing views on culture crisis

Two of the most powerful men at the St George Illawarra Dragons have completely opposite views on the club’s current dramas, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin is reportedly under pressure. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.   

St George Illawarra chairman Craig Young has spoken of his disappointment around the club’s poor culture that has split the Dragons’ playing ranks.

That only three players turned up to the club’s recent presentation night infuriated the champion old front-rower and club legend.

In his day there was never a spare seat at St George’s end-of-season awards presentation.

“What happened a few weeks back was disappointing to say the least,” Young said.

“We had eight or nine players who had World Cup commitments and their absence was understandable.

“However the other players should have been there. When I played you couldn’t wait to get there.

The Dragons have come under fire. Picture: NRL Images

“It’s not like you have to pay for anything. It’s free food and drink. There’s no excuse.”

I asked Young if the boycott pointed towards a poor culture – that the players just didn’t care.

“The culture needs working on, for sure,” he said.

“It will be addressed by the CEO and the football manager.

“We can’t hide from it, we’ve got to address it and we will.”

It’s interesting that Young’s comments are directly opposed to those of his CEO Ryan Webb.

“I think it (criticism) is unwarranted because people haven’t really taken into account the reasons why people couldn’t go,” Webb told News Corp last week.

The Dragons have a board meeting on Tuesday and maybe they can sort it out there.

Directors will look at a recently completed off-season review into another disappointing season.

Dragons chairman Craig Young has spoken of his disappointment around the club’s poor culture. Picture: NRL Imagery

The meeting will confirm that Anthony Griffin will remain as head coach next year and that young stars Jayden Sullivan and Tyrell Sloan will be denied release requests.

The events of recent weeks would normally have attracted bigger headlines in the rugby league media.

Only the fact Manly sacked Des Hasler and have been in turmoil for weeks has taken the spotlight off the Dragons and other struggling clubs.

Plus the World Cup being on in England.

The Dragons chairman insists Sloan and Sullivan are going nowhere.

“Young players can get impatient,” Young said. “Other clubs come at them and promise the world.

“We want them for the long haul and we have made a decision not to release them.

“Sullivan has got a great opportunity to learn under Ben Hunt.

“We’ve signed him until 2025. He’s got to roll his sleeves up and get on with it.”

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin is reportedly under pressure. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.   

As for Griffin’s future, Young says nothing has changed.

He is contracted for next season and there is no timeline on making a decision for 2024.

“Anthony is the coach and he’s definitely going to be there,” Young said.

“He’ll be at the board meeting as part of the review.

“It was our decision to sign him so we’ve got to support him.

“There is no timeline. We understand players will want to know who is coaching long term but there is no timeline on any decision.”