Pablo’s Round 11 Weekly Wrap touch on the fact last placed West Tigers were more favoured to win the premiership than the Dragons.
I am not one that supports mid-season sackings. Dragons’ captain, Ben Hunt, who is Hooks biggest advocate also stated let him coach out the season.
There are no winners and it is truly a sad day for Hook. If the Dragons had managed to kick more conversions, they would be entrenched in the top 4 and this conversation would not be happening.
But even I will concede the Dragons and Coach had to part ways.
It’s not just the 6 loses in a row. Or how the disrespectable board put Hook on notice he’d have to reapply for the head coaching role in 2024 before the first ball was kicked in the season.
This was never going to end well.
Before we delve deeper, here are Coach Griffin’s stats for the Broncos, Panthers and Dragons.
Are the players the problem?
Anthony Griffin doesn’t pass or kick the ball, make tackles or score runaway tries. This is on the players and the board.
In Hook’s first year at the Dragons, we had the infamous BBQ-Gate incident where all but the Origin players and rookies attended. This was despite Coaches notice not to do anything social during the bye week.
It was also against the NSW Government’s edict during Covid.
When police arrived, players ran home, hid under beds and tried to cover their tracks the following day.
Yes, this is the team I support and as a season ticket holder meant to cheer them on.
Was this Hook’s problem? Unfortunately, it is when almost the entire team ignored your direction.
21 weeks of suspensions and not another win that season.
Is the board the problem?
I have always said when you hire a head coach you need to give them 4 years to build the team they want. The Dragons board gave Hook two years with a one year optional extension.
Please. Let the next coach have the four years and full control. We’ve all seen what happened to former Dragon’s coach Paul McGregor where he was accountable for results but not able to select his own team.
Former Dragon and Roosters Assistant Coach, Jason Ryles is the current frontrunner to lead the team in 2024.
Please! Give him four years and let him do his job.
