Craig Bellamy’s impending decision on his future at the Storm could reportedly have big ramifications on who replaces Anthony Griffin at the Dragons.
Griffin is widely considered a dead man walking and one of the favourites to replace him is Roosters assistant Jason Ryles.
The problem is Ryles remains contracted at the Tricolours until the end of next season and the club want to a avoid a repeat of Adam O’Brien in 2019.
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O’Brien asked to break his contract to take the top job in Newcastle and while he was eventually allowed to leave, it was a messy exit.
Bellamy is weighing up whether to next year extend his head coaching tenure in Melbourne to a 22nd season or take up a role in head office.
The legendary coach is reportedly leaning towards retiring at the end of next year, which would align perfectly with the timeline of Ryles who has been heavily linked to replacing Bellamy.
It means Ryles wouldn’t have to ask the Roosters for a release to join the Dragons this year, with the understanding he’d replace Bellamy at the end of next year.
Bellamy’s latest position It marks a change of tune from his appearance on NRL 360 last month when he said it was “time for the club to have a new coach”.
“I’m pretty sure this is gonna be my last year as a head coach,” Bellamy said at the time.
“I’ll still be around the club a bit in a part-time role at the end of this year, but nothing’s really changed.
“I’m not quite sure when the club wants a definite answer but I want to give (them) plenty of time to find a new coach … I can’t see anything changing this year as to me not retiring at the end of the year.”
The Dragons board met on Tuesday and discussed several potential Griffin replacements, including Ryles, Shane Flanagan, Des Hasler, Michael Maguire, Ben Hornby and Dean Young.
Manly coach Anthony Seibold told foxsports.com.au this week that he wouldn’t stand in the way of his assistant Flanagan.
Former Kangaroos and Blues prop Aaaron Woods, who switched from the Dragons to the Sea Eagles earlier this month, said a decision on Griffin must be made now.
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“Will Hook stay? I don’t know. They need to make a decision, and whatever decision that is they need to do it now,” Woods told the SMH.
“The club just needs to make a call. It will be a harsh call if they move him on, but it’s a business. The longer it drags on, the harder it is on the players.
“Poor blokes like Ben Hunt will keep getting asked about it, and if he comes out and supports Hook, and the fans are off Hook, then the same fans are off Benny.
“If the club don’t want to renew Hook, move him on now.”
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