Former Dragons prop Jason Ryles has moved a step closer towards replacing Anthony Griffin as coach after meeting club officials on Monday night.
After previously being reluctant to take the job, Ryles is back in the frame as speculation grows Craig Bellamy will coach for one more season at the Melbourne Storm.
Ryles has been considered the warm favourite to take over from Bellamy if he retires and Billy Slater doesn’t want the job.
If Bellamy coaches for another season – as many in Melbourne expect – Ryles could be left without an option for 2024, which brings the Dragons back into the picture.
Ryles is contracted to the Roosters as an assistant coach until the end of next season, but he can leave earlier provided he gives Trent Robinson enough notice.
Jason Ryles during his days with Eddie Jones at England rugby.Credit: Getty
Dragons officials were tight-lipped when contacted on Tuesday night, but insist no formal interviews have taken place.
They also deny the Dragons’ 18-16 loss to the Wests Tigers on Sunday – their fifth in a row – has expedited discussions about Griffin’s future.
Many names have been tossed up as his replacement, particularly after the club told him at the start of the year he would have to reapply for his job.
Premiership winners Ben Hornby and Dean Young have been mentioned, as have experienced coaches Des Hasler and Shane Flanagan.
But the Dragons’ preference is Ryles, who is cast in the same light as Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon and the Bulldogs’ Cameron Ciraldo.
The 44-year-old has learnt from the best, having worked for Bellamy, Robinson, and Eddie Jones when Jones was coaching the England rugby union team.
He is seen by several directors as the perfect choice. Ryles played 156 matches for the club from 2000 to 2008 before incoming coach Wayne Bennett told him he wasn’t wanted and he joined Catalans in the Super League.
Ryles had been reluctant to take on the Dragons role because of the daunting task of turning the club around as a first-year coach, but discussions have been rekindled due to the Bellamy situation.
Bellamy is expected to make an announcement on his future within days. Ryles’ manager, George Mimis, will meet Storm officials this week.
If Ryles joined the Dragons, he would seek a long-term contract – like the five-year deal Ciraldo has at the Bulldogs – so he has time to make significant changes. He is likely to want control over the structure of the football department.
The Dragons face the Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday night. It will be captain Ben Hunt’s 300th match and there is mounting talk it could be Griffin’s last.
Ryles never won a premiership with the Dragons as a player but is poised to become the man charged with winning one as a coach.
