NRL 2022: Dragons sponsor TripADeal urges club to support coach Anthony Griffin
Under pressure Dragons coach Anthony Griffin has found a massive ally, with one of the club’s biggest sponsors urging the club to back him.
Phil Rothfield
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One of St George Illawarra’s biggest sponsors has called on the club to back embattled coach Anthony Griffin to lift the Dragons out of their current mess.
Norm Black, the boss of TripADeal, is urging the board to be patient and stick solid.
“Hook is not the problem there, I’m telling you,” Black said.
“He’s actually got a plan to get the club back to where it needs to be in the next three to five years.
“I think he’s been unfairly targeted in sections of the media and it’s not right.
“He had 12 wins and most years that gets you into the top eight.
“I think he’s a good coach and an impressive man.”
Black pours almost $1 million a year into rugby league but is more than just an apparel sponsor.
He has a tight relationship with the players, many of whom he speaks to regularly.
Despite reports that youngsters Tyrell Sloan and Jayden Sullivan had wanted out, Black insists Griffin has the support of the players.
“You look at the young ones that really improved this year — Junior Amone, Cody Ramsay and Matt Feagai — they improved out of sight,” he said.
“I’m close with a number of players and they are comfortable enough to express themselves and speak openly if there’s a problem.
“They haven’t done that.
“I was talking to Tyrell Sloan the other day. He’s the same. He actually said to me ‘I wish I’d been better at listening to the truth earlier.’
“He knows Hook will give him his opportunity.”
The last week has been the toughest of Griffin’s life.
His father passed away in Rockhampton and his family is now there to prepare for the funeral.
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