‘Diabolical management’: Dragons hung players out to dry after sacking Anthony Griffin

St George Illawarra have been called out after making a “disgraceful” decision to hang several stars out to dry.

Griffin was sacked on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The St George Illawarra Dragons have been dragged over the coals in the wake of sacking coach Anthony Griffin.

Griffin was given his marching orders, effective immediately, shortly after he arrived for work on Tuesday morning.

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As the players rolled into the grounds ahead of what many thought would have been a normal training day, news of the axing wasn’t filtered through to them.

Despite that two stars, Jack de Belin and Ben Murdoch-Masila, were made available to the media with the club failing to step in and stop the commitments from going ahead before informing the playing group.

It’s a decision that didn’t sit well with the NRL 360 panel.

“The way the players were treated to start with was disgraceful, how you can make a decision the club is sacking the coach and hten put the players up for media ... that’s just diabolical management,” Paul Crawley said.

“I understand that clubs have a commitment through NRL guidelines that they have to put players up, but you walk out today and say we’ve already filled your pages the boys aren’t talking.

“On the Ben Hunt front, Ryan Webb says he’s a competitor and he wants to win, well that makes you nervous doesn’t it. That would make Dragons fans extremely nervous.”

Griffin was sacked on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Braith Anasta asked: “Back to the players, they put them up without them having any idea that the coach had been sacked. Was that a smother so they didn’t have to answer any questions? Do you think that’s a bit irresponsible, I mean the players are going through enough at the moment.”

Rugby league journalist David Riccio couldn’t fathom how the club had come to the conclusion to hang the players out to dry.

“Originally there was a board meeting scheduled for this evening, however management decided they wanted to pull the pin on Anthony Griffin earlier than that,” David Riccio said.

“Today was a scheduled training day they wanted to start fresh today and pulled Griffin in at a separate meeting.

“Why those players were still put forward to the press is beyond me. It speaks to the mismanagement of this entire scenario.

“In what club, in what major sporting organisation is success achieved when you tell the coach he may not be there back in February before the ball has even been kicked.

“Clubs are built on a commitment of clarity. This club haven’t had it from day one of this season.”

Rugby league great Mark Carroll slammed the front office and felt sorry for the fans of the club.

“I just look at the way it’s been handled. As they say, fish always rots at the top. Say no more,” Carroll said on Fox League’s NRL Tonight.

“Absolutely appalling. As a fan, you’d have to be wondering what the hell’s going on!”

Players were thrown under the bus. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Griffin’s contract was terminated early by Dragons CEO Ryan Webb on Tuesday morning with the club releasing a statement shortly after.

“These decisions are never taken lightly and on behalf of the club I want to thank Anthony for all his hard work during his time at the Dragons,” Webb said in the statement.

“Unfortunately our performances over the first 10 games of this season have not met the club’s expectations so it was decided he should finish up his duties this week.”

The club said Dragons assistant coach Ryan Carr will assume interim coaching duties this week. The club will continue to scout for coaching candidates for the 2024 season.

According to reports, Jason Ryles, Dean Young and Ben Hornby continue to be considered the top candidates.

Originally published as ‘Diabolical management’: Dragons hung players out to dry after sacking Anthony Griffin