Anthony Griffin, Dean Young set to head Dragons coaching team
Anthony Griffin has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the vacant Dragons job, but it’s another applicant who could also benefit from ‘Hook’s’ appointment.
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Anthony Griffin – the former Brisbane and Penrith coach – is close to being named St George Illawarra’s new head coach.
News Corp Australia can reveal Griffin has become favourite for the Dragons’ top job from next season – provided he impresses during a job interview on Thursday.
There is time for a rethink at board level but Griffin appears to have fended off strong challenges from Newcastle assistant David Furner and Dragons interim coach Dean Young.
All three will be interviewed before the Dragons board via Zoom on Thursday.
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It is understood the club will ask Young to remain as an assistant coach with a view to taking over in two to three years.
Should Griffin be announced, Furner would then be expected to accept a key role as Trent Barrett’s assistant at Canterbury.
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Griffin is known as a no-nonsense coach who directors believe can give the club a hard edge.
News Corp Australia contacted Griffin on Wednesday but he preferred not to comment.
Furner has considerable support but it appears factions from St George and Illawarra are poised to agree on Griffin.
Former North Queensland, Gold and Canberra coach Neil Henry was another candidate.
Rockhampton-born Griffin coached Brisbane between 2011-14 before taking over at Penrith between 2016-18.
It is unknown exactly when St George Illawarra will announce their coach but directors want the process completed shortly. The club has placed retention and recruitment for 2021 and beyond on hold under the new coach is revealed.
St George Illawarra believes this is among the most important decisions in the joint venture’s 21-year history. Saints battled hard under former coach Paul McGregor but couldn’t muster the results needed to appease restless supporters.
Young has impressed Dragons management since taking over from McGregor and the club views him as a future head coach.
Griffin has coached 173 NRL games for 96 wins for a bold win ratio of 55 per cent.
He secured 54 wins from 101 games at Brisbane, with the Broncos reaching the finals in three of his four years in charge, while he won 42 from 72 games at Penrith with the Panthers playing finals footy in all three years.
Furner has also enjoyed significant success at each NRL club he has coached – Canberra, Souths, North Queensland and now at Newcastle.
There seems to be an appetite for Saints to chat with off-contract Penrith captain and former NSW prop James Tamou.
Tamou, 31, is seeking a three-year deal with Penrith wanting to offer just a one-season contract. It is understood the Dragons will delay any negotiations with Tamou until their coach has been nailed down.