Dragons general manager of football Ben Haran has revealed the uncertainty surrounding the club’s next coach has blocked the Red V from being able to recruit a marquee star.
St George Illawarra’s board reportedly met on Tuesday to discuss Anthony Griffin’s future and the potential replacements that could be signed for the 2024 season.
However, according to The Daily Telegraph, the Dragons are no close to making a decision as to who will take over after informing Griffin he would have to reapply for his own job.
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Speaking on The Dragons Den podcast, Haran explained just how difficult it was to recruit talented NRL players without being able to tell them who their coach will be.
“Ultimately, at the moment at the Dragons, you can’t recruit (a marquee) because of (the question) who the coach is going forward. That’s just the situation we’re in,’’ Haran said.
“But who we can recruit and retain is who wants to be a Dragon? That’s the main thing.
“If people want to be a Dragon that’s a really good start for us. We’ve got some great kids here that want to be Dragons.
“So if we’re basing some of our decisions on who wants to be a Dragon? Then, that’s important… there’s going to be different situations for different people.
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“There’s going to be players which we will look at and think, do we want to retain them now based on the fact that they’re the right fit for the club?
“There’ll be other players that we might need to wait to see what happens with the coaching situation.’’
He also said it is “hard to come up with any type of plan until decisions have been made”.
The Dragons now face a tough decision regarding Griffin’s tenure before they can recruit any stars to join Ben Hunt and the Red V team.
Haran explained that the decision to make an immediate move to axe Griffin from the head coaching role comes down to the board.
“The coaching situation is ultimately a board decision,’’ Haran said.
“There’s two roles that the board appoints, which is the head coach and the CEO.
“So between Ryan (Webb), as the CEO, doing all the due diligence that he needs to do in terms of being able to give the information to the board, that certainly takes place.
“But my understanding is that there hasn’t been any time frames (on Griffin) or anything like that.
“But ultimately Ryan has a job to do in terms of giving the information to the board and then the board will make the decision based on what they think is best for the club.
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“That’s what all of our decisions have got to be, not on any one individual.’’
One of the favourites to take over as head coach is Jason Ryles and one big issue could stand in the club’s way of acquiring him.
Craig Bellamy’s impending decision on his future at the Storm could reportedly have big ramifications.
Ryles is contracted with the Roosters until the end of 2024 and the Tricolours are reportedly hesitant to allow him to depart early.
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.
