NRL 2023: Key Dragons staffer quits as overhaul begins

A respected St George Illawarra staff member has handed in his resignation after reports the club was in negotiations to replace him in 2024.

Ben Hunt’s second release request was rejected.

The blood-letting at the Dragons has begun with the club’s head of physical performance suddenly quitting the club.

Tony Guilfoyle, appointed under former coach Anthony Griffin ahead of the 2021 season, has resigned ahead of the Dragons crucial local derby against Cronulla at PointsBet Stadium on Thursday night.

Guilfoyle had arrived at the Dragons following previous high performance stints with Panthers and the Broncos.

However, it’s understood the respected staff member handed in his resignation last Monday - just 24-hours after an article that appeared in this masthead last Sunday.

The report revealed the Dragons were in negotiations for 2024 with experienced high performance manager Andrew Gray, who won premierships in 2010 with St George-Illawarra and 2016 with the Sharks.

Ryan Bailey, the Dragons head of strength and conditioning, will fill the void of Guilfoyle for the remainder of the season.

Former Dragons head of physical performance Tony Guilfoyle. Picture: Adam Smith

WHY DRAGONS’ HUNT REJECTION WAS RIGHT MOVE

- Brent Read

Good on the Dragons. Now is a time for strength, not weakness. St George Illawarra could have rolled over when they sat down with Ben Hunt on Monday morning.

Instead, they stood their ground and told their skipper that he was going nowhere. Suck it up Ben, we pay you plenty and it is time for you to live up to your end of the bargain.

Of course, this saga is far from over. Hunt is due to return to training later this week and further discussions are likely to be held in the meantime.

The Broncos and Gold Coast are watching events from afar, no doubt manoeuvring in the background to ensure they get the right outcome for their clubs.

But the ball is in the Dragons’ court and thus far, they have shown no willingness to let their captain leave. Remember, St George Illawarra have an iron-clad two year contract with Hunt. He had the chance to leave at the end of last season but opted to take up a new deal worth around $1.7 million.

He is now having second thoughts but the Dragons need to make sure whatever the outcome, it works for them.

Ben Hunt’s second release request was rejected.

They can’t just let Hunt walk out the door because it would no doubt lead to a conga line forming at the door of chief executive Ryan Webb and incoming coach Shane Flanagan.

Other players wanting a release would suddenly have ammunition. You let Hunt go, why not us. The Dragons have the whip hand and they need to use it to their advantage.

The idea that letting Hunt leave would allow them to rebuild is folly. They can’t replace him next year because there simply isn’t any talent on the market.

There isn’t much more the year after. Can you really see Joey Manu or Payne Haas leaving their existing clubs to join the Dragons? It would seem a pipedream.

The Dragons’ best hope is to squeeze the Broncos and Titans for players and potentially cash. If they want Hunt, let’s see how much he means to them.

If they really believe Hunt can help them win a premiership, let’s see what winning a title is worth to them. If they are willing to come to the party, then all bets are off.

If not, Hunt stays. He won’t like it, but that’s life.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Key Dragons staffer quits as overhaul begins