St George Illawarra has reportedly sacked both its assistant coaches as it looks to reset for the 2023 season.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that coach Anthony Griffin has told both Peter Gentle and Mathew Head that they won’t have a job after this year.
Gentle is the side’s defence coach, while Head looks after attack.
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“We’re looking for the right structures supporting our coach in 2023,” Dragons boss Ryan Webb told the Herald.
Griffin’s position has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks, despite the fact he’s contracted until the end of the 2023 season.
That decision in itself was controversial, given Griffin’s deal was extended before a ball had been kicked in anger this year.
“I have no idea, absolutely no idea why they would extend,” Immortal Andrew Johns told Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and The Eighth earlier this year.
“Their decision is purely to stop people publicly speculating who’s going to be coach… if that is the reason they extended him, they need their head read.”
Dragons chairman Craig Young recently said Griffin has his “full support.”
“The board supports the decision to extend the coach’s contract and we haven’t changed that view. ‘Hook’ is an experienced coach,” Young said.
The Dragons are currently 11th on the ladder, although they’re level on points with the eighth-placed Roosters.
The next two weeks could put an end to their finals chances, given they play second-placed North Queensland and third-placed Cronulla.
The club hasn’t made the finals since 2018.
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