Anthony Griffin insists he is not making panic decisions and is still planning for St George Illawarra’s long-term future despite intense pressure to keep his own job.
Sunday’s clash with the Wests Tigers is crucial for Griffin as walls close in on the coach after last week’s defeat by Canterbury saw four straight defeats.
Dragons bosses had told the off-contract Griffin before a ball was kicked this year that they are considering their options for next season, with that situation now becoming more critical.
It comes as Griffin called to remove star center Zac Lomax from the NRL this week, removing him from football and keeping him out of the reserve class.
Ben Hunt will also spend part of the game at the hooker as part of a spinal restructuring, with Jayden Sullivan coming off the bench and Talatau joining Amone in the half.
But Griffin insisted he wasn’t panicking after four straight defeats and with his own future in the headlines.
“Do I look like I’m panicking?” Griffin asked calmly.
“I’ve been a coach for a long time. We built a really good group here. We were close.
“It was extremely frustrating for us because we know how hard everyone works.
“We could easily be sitting here with three or four wins in the last month. But that’s rugby league, that’s the NRL.
“Any change we make is in the long-term best interests of the team. It’s not something we lightly think could work if we do that.”
Sunday’s spine restructuring is a glimpse into the future for the Dragons.
Sullivan and Amone have progressed through the junior classes alongside full-back Tyrell Sloan at Wollongong.
Griffin would not respond extensively about his own situation when questioned by the media on Friday or when he wanted answers, but said he still plans long-term.
“The best way to build long-term is internally and all the big clubs have done that,” Griffin said.
The story goes on
“You see what Penrith has been through in recent years. You see where Brisbane is going now.
“It takes time to build success.
“Our club is doing really well at the moment. Sometime this week, Sullivan, Amone and Sloan will play behind Ben Hunt.
“You have the two Feagai boys (Max and Mat) playing together. You have Blake Lawrie, who is becoming one of the best props in the league.
“There is an evolution or development with our club and they will become a really strong club.”
Griffin hinted that Hunt’s mid-game switch to Hooker wouldn’t herald a long-term move to No. 9, where he plays at a representative level.
“It’s not something that we think will just stay there,” Griffin said.
“He prefers to play halfback. But he plays hooker for Queensland and Australia and he plays it very well. So he understands that he can play there.
“To Ben’s credit, when I spoke to him about it, he had already thought about it.”
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