Dragons chairman Craig Young has called out the players that snubbed the club’s presentation night in an interview that completely contradicts what the CEO said about the matter.
Only three players turned up to the club’s night of nights, which Young toldNews Corpwas “disappointing to say the least” and conceded the Dragons’ culture “needs working on.”
His comments come less than a week after CEO Ryan Webb said in a letter to members that the criticism was “unwarranted” and claimed that pushing the date back to accommodate the NRLW squad “made it difficult for many to attend.”
Webb’s explanation didn’t fly with rugby league legend Laurie Daley, who said on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast that the no-shows were “very disappointing.”
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Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield, who conducted the interview with Young, agreed, calling it “disgraceful.”
From the Dragons’ Top 30, eight players were unavailable due to World Cup duties, but that still left 19 others who could have attended.
Young told News Corp that there was “no excuse” and that the culture at the club needed improving.
“What happened a few weeks back was disappointing to say the least,” he said.
“We had eight or nine players who had World Cup commitments and their absence was understandable.
“However the other players should have been there. When I played you couldn’t wait to get there.
“It’s not like you have to pay for anything. It’s free food and drink. There’s no excuse.
“The culture needs working on, for sure.
“It will be addressed by the CEO and the football manager.
“We can’t hide from it, we’ve got to address it and we will.”
Speaking on Big Sports Breakfast, Rothfield pointed out how Young’s take on the situation was completely different to Webb, who told News Corp the crticisim was a “mountain out of a molehill.”
Rothfield also lauded Young’s approach — and Daley agreeing calling it “strong leadership.”
“It’s interesting that the chairman contradicted what the CEO told ‘Bulldogs’ (Dean Ritchie) in the Telegraph last week — that is was acceptable and people had to understand boys were away on holidays,” Rothfield said.
“I like what Craig Young said, I really do.
“I like the fact that Craig Young has called the players out. I think it was really appalling and disrespectful.”
“I know for a fact that there were players in Sydney at home, they weren’t overseas on trips, they weren’t on Mad Monday… I just don’t think it’s good enough.
“Communication from the club probably wasn’t all that flash but in the old days, Craig Young said that proud club, you’d be knocking down the door to get in.
“The players should have been asking ‘when are we getting together for this presentation night’.
“It speaks a lot about the condition the club’s culture in at the moment.”
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Rothfield also revealed the Dragons have a board meeting on Tuesday where the matter will likely be discussed among other things.
Young has confirmed that coach Anthony Griffin will be at the meeting, but there will be no updates on his future.
“Anthony is the coach and he’s definitely going to be there,” he said.
“He’ll be at the board meeting as part of the review.
“It was our decision to sign him so we’ve got to support him.
“There is no timeline. We understand players will want to know who is coaching long term but there is no timeline on any decision.”
He also explained why the Dragons recently knocked back release requests from emerging duo Tyrell Sloan and Jayden Sullivan.
Both haven’t been able to nail down a consistent spot in the 17 and have had rivals circling.
The Dolphins are keen on Sloan, while Sullivan has requested a release twice to join the Bulldogs.
“Young players can get impatient,” Young said.
“Other clubs come at them and promise the world.
“We want them for the long haul and we have made a decision not to release them.
“Sullivan has got a great opportunity to learn under Ben Hunt.
“We’ve signed him until 2025. He’s got to roll his sleeves up and get on with it.”
