St George Illawarra would need to offer Jason Ryles a five-year contract for the former Test forward to even consider the job, with his manager also flying to Melbourne for talks about the Storm post.
Both clubs consider Ryles a coach-in-waiting as they navigate the delicate, albeit altogether different, transitions from their clipboard holders.
Adding a layer of complexity is Ryles’ contractual with a third club, the Roosters, until the end of 2024, although Trent Robinson indicated on Thursday he wouldn’t stand in the way of him taking up a head-coaching role earlier.
Ryles will hold off on a commitment either way until there is clarity about the future of Craig Bellamy, who has promised to make a definitive call next week on whether he will coach the Storm beyond this season. It was widely expected that Bellamy would finish up his illustrious coaching career until this masthead reported three weeks ago that he was leaning towards another season.
Dragons officials met with Ryles during the week in a further indication that Anthony Griffin is on the way out. The Red V, who have Ben Hornby and Dean Young on a shortlist should they miss out on Ryles, are in wooden spoon contention after slumping to five straight losses.
Those defeats have come via the closest of margins, although another loss, against the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday, may prompt the club to move Griffin on immediately.
Jason Ryles is a man in demand.Credit: Getty Images
While Ryles’ discussions with the Dragons were informal, there is no doubt he is their preferred candidate to replace Griffin. For that to come to pass, the club will need to table a long-term deal, like the five-year offer Cameron Ciraldo accepted to take up the Canterbury gig. The 44-year-old would also require autonomy over the football department and his choice of assistants to return to the club he last played for in 2008.
Even all of that may not be enough. The Dragons, who have a host of players to come off contract at the end of the year, require a rebuild that will likely take several seasons.
The prospect of taking over from Bellamy in 2024 or 2025 at a club considered one of the best-run in Australian sport could hold more appeal.
Ryles’ manager met with Storm officials on Thursday to discuss the prospect of a return to the club where he was previously an assistant to Bellamy.
Weighing on Ryles’ mind would be the prospect of moving his family from his Dragons-friendly locale of Wollongong and the long-term prospects of both propositions.
Should the Dragons miss out on Ryles, it’s likely Hornby and Young will seek terms of three or four years to return to the club they won a premiership with as players.
Speaking at his pre-game press conference, Robinson said he wouldn’t block Ryles if a head coaching job opened up.
“No, and I never have,” Robinson said. “That’s not going to happen now. As long as there is clarity now and we’re doing the best thing for the Roosters.
“We’ve chatted about his future. It’s not something for me to go into. In a way, it’s got something to do with us, but it’s got nothing to do with us. I’ve chatted to him privately and then the rest I don’t have any information about.”
Robinson said he would always offer advice to any assistants seeking counsel about progressing their careers.
“Yeah always,” he said. “That’s where the relationship is important. I was in that role once, so you know how they feel.
“It’s something outside of my control. I just get on with my job.”
Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
