Dragons sack Anthony Griffin on the spot in sad end

The Dragons have announced coach Anthony Griffin has been terminated immediately with shambolic details coming to light.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 13: Dragons coach Anthony Griffin looks on after losing the round 11 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and St George Illawarra Dragons at Qld Country Bank Stadium on May 13, 2023 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Veteran coach Anthony Griffin has been sacked by the Dragons, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

The club announced ahead of a scheduled board meeting on Tuesday night the decision had already been made to terminate Griffin’s contract early.

Dragons CEO Ryan Webb said in a statement: “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.

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“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.”

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

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.

It comes less than 24 hours after reports first emerged directors had reached an agreement to put Griffin out of his misery.

Shambolic details of the club’s handling of the scandal have since come to light with players forced to face media questions before being told of Griffin’s sacking.

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.

It is the third club Griffin has been sacked by in recent years after his tenures at the Broncos and Panthers also ended in messy departures.

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

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

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.”

According to foxsports.com.au, Hunt has been left “fuming” at how the debacle has unfolded.

Journalist Michelle Bishop earlier reported on SEN Breakfast Griffin had left the club’s training facility before a scheduled on-field session, having likely been informed of his sacking.

Players were yet to have been informed when Griffin was seen leaving the facilities.

Star forward Jack de Belin was one of the players to face the press on Tuesday morning before players were due to be involved in a meeting with club officials.

De Belin said he had “no idea” about Griffin’s future despite the call reportedly having already been made.