The Dragons are stuck in recruitment limbo until the club makes a decision on the future of embattled coach Anthony Griffin.
That’s the view of Paul Kent who believes the club is so rudderless at the moment that not even legendary coach Jack Gibson could improve the side.
Griffin has been under the microscope all season after reportedly being told he’d have to reapply for his job in 2024.
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The Dragons sit 11th on the ladder after six rounds and Kent emphasised the uncertainty around Griffin is strangling the club’s ability to recruit.
“There’s no energy at the club… there’s nothing that pulls you towards St. George and makes you look at them fondly,” Kent said on NRL 360.
“I don’t know if Jack Gibson could make this St. George team much better at the moment.
“The problem is how are they going to try and sell the club (as a destination) with the coach under a cloud as well as no clear direction of what they’re trying to do.
“They have multiple problems, especially their roster … They need significant changes in that roster but how can they get players to the club or be in the market for players with so much uncertainty?”
St George Dragons Press Conference | 05:40
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Kent pointed to the Raiders’ upset win over the Broncos which came after Canberra’s senior players took over the video review meeting following their heavy loss to Penrith.
“It was good to see that come from senior players, coaches have become such dominant figures in clubs now. There was a time where the captain basically ran the club, many years ago,” Kent said.
“The good clubs have strong leaders and everyone now and then the leaders have got to say ‘we’re the problem here’ and St George could do something similar.”
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The Dragons dropped their third game of the season on Sunday, an 20-18 upset by an undermanned Titans side.
Griffin’s position will come under review in a month, according to The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield.
“To take pressure of Hook, he had to win that game yesterday,” Rothfield said on NRL360.
“They played really well in the second half against the Dolphins and they needed to back it up but they didn’t play well enough to beat a side who will be at the lower end of the ladder.
Kenty questions Tigers coaching format | 01:28
“I made a couple of inquiries and I think they’ll at least wait another month until round 10 to see what happens,” Rothfield said regarding Griffin’s tenure at the Dragons.
“I don’t think they are ready to pull the pin.”
James Hooper doesn’t believe Griffin will be marched this season.
“For the Dragons, the problem runs deeper than just the coach, and a lot of people in the game will tell you Griffin won’t be there after this season,” Hooper said.
“While I don’t think he’ll be coach in 2024, I don’t think they’ll sack him and make him exit at any stage this season either.”
