[ad_1]
The Dragons reportedly approached Cameron Ciraldo just before the highly sought after Panthers assistant penned a deal with the Bulldogs.
St George Illawarra approached Ciraldo but he knocked them back for the second time in three seasons and instead penned a five-year deal with the Dogs.
Despite the rejection, the move spells bad news for the club’s current coach Athony Griffin amid plenty of turmoil at the embattled club.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan is working at the Dragons as the list manager but he’s made no secret of his desire to coach in the NRL again.
Griffin sacked his assistants Peter Gentle and Mathew Head last month, before the club also made the stunning decision to boot highly-respected former player James Graham.
This week they lowballed their best player and Dally M Medal contender Ben Hunt, offering the halfback a contract extension worth $350,000 less per season.
Griffin coached Hunt in the Broncos underage teams and is a huge fan of the classy No. 7 – who baulked at the extension offer put to him.
The recurring theme out of the Dragons is that all football decisions end with Griffin, but the lowball Hunt offer which would suggest the coach is no longer calling the shots.
Griffin was controversially extended until the end of 2023 before a ball was kicked this season, but now appears on the outer.
Griffin was signed on his reputation as a disciplinarian who could build culture and build a rick-solid defence, but hasn’t delivered on either.
St George Illawarra’s 2021 season nosedived after Paul Vaughan hosted a barbecue with almost half the squad in attendance in breach of Covid-19 lockdown protocols.
They’ve also lacked discipline on the field this season, with Francis Molo and Moses Mbye suspended for the final two rounds of the season following high tackles last weekend.
Fox League’s James Hooper reported there was “unrest” within the Red V’s playing squad back in July.
Hooper reported players had grown frustrated with Griffin’s perceived favouritism towards veterans.
MORE NRL NEWS
STEP UP: Payne Haas handed $1m reality check as Broncos’ big problem laid bare
ALL OVER: Sharks GF hero Fifita to depart… but could a homecoming be on?
‘WIDE OPEN’: Verdict on NRL’s contenders, pretenders, ‘scary’ Panthers truth sinks in
RESERVES WRAP: Rugby convert’s message to Bellamy; 130kg tank can’t be stopped
That prompted Dragons officials to publicly lament players who leaked news to the media, explaining “you don’t go whinging and moaning”.
“The players that don’t want to stick together, well they’re not part of the team,” Dragons chairman Craig Young said to News Corp.
“The expectation at this club is that when things are tough and we find a way through it, to push through it to the other side.
“You don’t go whinging and moaning, you roll your sleeves up, work hard and get through it.
“You don’t go and whinge to whoever. We all have to stick together.”
MORE NRL NEWS
WHISPERS: Dragons low-ball Hunt as rivals circle, Lodge’s future amid Storm link
SENT OFF: Ex-NRL star in double send-off after wild bush footy brawl
TRANSFER CENTRE: Manly farewell four players as two hunt new clubs
TEAM TIPS: Kevvie sweats on Origin star amid horror slide; Cowboys fill Dearden void
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
[ad_2]
Source link
