NRL 2020: St George Illawarra reveals Wayne Bennett blueprint in search for new coach
There won’t be any fairytale return but Wayne Bennett is still set to have a dramatic impact on the next coach at the Dragons as the club reveals a strict selection criteria that fits one particular option ideally.
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Craig Fitzgibbon looms as the ideal candidate for St George Illawarra’s next coach after the club put together a three-tiered criteria.
There’s only one problem — the Dragons have to convince him to leave the Sydney Roosters.
The Dragons have outlined a three-tiered criteria which mirrors the success Wayne Bennett had at the club to select their new coach as they move to appoint a mentor before the end of the season.
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The Dragons board met for the first time on Tuesday since the club parted ways with coach Paul McGregor last week. The major talking point was identifying what they want out of their next coach rather than who it may be.
News Corp Australia has learnt the three core elements the candidate must have includes; being defensive minded, strong on discipline and have spent time in a successful culture.
Those three elements are what Bennett brought to the club when he ended the Dragons’ premiership drought in 2010.
While Bennett is unlikely to be pursued, the most obvious candidates who tick those boxes are unavailable. Former Dragons Fitzgibbon and Jason Ryles have been immersed in successful cultures at the Roosters and Storm respectively but neither want an NRL head coaching role next year.
Fitzgibbon brushed recent advances from the Warriors – even with the potential of taking on the head coaching role in 2022 – to recommit to the Roosters until at least the end of next year. That may not stop the Dragons from asking the question though.
Assistant coach Shane Flanagan is also unlikely to be cleared by the NRL in time for next season but he led Cronulla’s defensive mindset and winning culture on their way to premiership success in 2016.
New chief executive Ryan Webb will be tasked with putting together a short-list which he will present to the board. They are aiming to have a decision before the end of the regular season.
Interim coach Dean Young is expected to put his hand up while Anthony Griffin has some support. Young played under Bennett in 2010 before most recently working alongside McGregor.
He will get a chance to push his case for the position in the next few weeks when he takes control of the side starting with the Dragons clash against Brisbane on Friday night.
Paul Green and Shaun Wane are also likely to be considered for the role.
When the Dragons won the premiership in 2010 they leaked just 17.5 points per game in the regular season. They conceded 24 points per game last year and this year 20.7.