Dragons reportedly put coach Anthony Griffin out of his misery

St George Illawarra has reportedly pulled the trigger on embattled coach Anthony Griffin with the club falling further into disarray.

The axe is swinging. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images.

Senior Dragons powerbrokers have reportedly agreed to sack Anthony Griffin.

The drums have been beating for weeks as the team slumped to a disastrous start to the 2023 season and his departure seemed just a matter of time when the club told the veteran coach he would have to re-apply for the job with his contract expiring at the end of the 2023 season.

Now the axe has swung and the decision is expected to be rubber stamped at a board meeting on Tuesday night, according to Channel 9’s Danny Weidler.

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The leading reporter said on Monday the club will likely announce the decision on Tuesday.

“I think it will be made official tomorrow, unless there is a sudden backflip by the board, it will be announced tomorrow that Anthony Griffin will no longer be the St George Illawarra coach,” Weidler said.

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin is a dead man walking. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images.

“It’s not a huge surprise, he’s just been hanging on for quite some time now and the Dragons realise it’s their time to really try and get ahead for next year to find a new coach and also probably to start the whole recruitment process, so in a lot of ways it’s a smart move to make the decision now by the Dragons board, but not a surprise to a lot of rugby league people.”

The Dragons’ losing streak was extended to six matches following their loss to the Cowboys on Saturday.

News Corp first reported on Sunday Griffin may have coached his final game with the decision to be made at Tuesday’s scheduled board meeting.

According to the report, Jason Ryles, Dean Young and Ben Hornby continue to be linked to the job.

The Dragons are sick of the question. Photo: NRL.com

Earlier on Monday The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said Dragons powerbrokers were yet to reach agreement on whether to sack Griffin immediately.

“I think it’s long overdue now, they shut down the speculation on Anthony Griffin and just make a decision,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast on Monday.

“Six weeks ago I looked at the Dragons draw and there was a possibility they could win four or five out of six.

“I thought that’s the opportunity, that’s the window for Anthony Griffin and the players to show that maybe he can get them in to a competitive position and challenge for finals.

“They are trying each week but they are just not in the ballpark... the fans have had enough.”

The past 12 months has been a debacle for the club with rumours of disharmony between the playing group and club officials.

Most recently strike centre Zac Lomax was reportedly filthy after he was sensationally dropped.

Captain Ben Hunt last month fronted the press to support Griffin in a comment that led to speculation he could leave the club if Griffin is axed.

“He has been here for a couple of years now and we are building in a direction I believe is the right direction,” he said.

“I believe if you take away your coach and bring a new coach in, it’s going to start that cycle again and to be honest I don’t have the time to start it all again.”