Dragons powerbrokers “endorse” Griffin as veteran shifts blame on teammates

St George Illawarra powerbrokers have decided on coach Anthony Griffin’s future at the club.

While reports suggested Griffin could face the axe earlier this week, The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis says a board meeting was held on Tuesday where the decision was made to endorse the coach going forward.

“It’s been a few interesting days at the Dragons, obviously, there were reports about Anthony Griffin’s future but the board met yesterday and endorsed the coach,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“They’ve obviously got some concerns with the way they’re tracking, but I think they’ll be addressed at the back end of the year.

“They’re just going to wait and see how the year plays out.”

Following training on Tuesday, forward Josh McGuire spoke to the media where he blamed the playing group instead of the coach.

While the 32-year-old didn’t play in the Round 17 loss to Brisbane, he accused his teammates of underdoing their preparation and not taking the Broncos “seriously” as they missed eight players to Origin duties.

“A few players were up for media yesterday, Moses Mbye and Josh McGuire, and they spoke about the Dragons’ preparation,” Carayannis said.

“He is probably too honest for his own good, Josh McGuire, he didn’t play that game with an injury, but he’s watched their preparation from afar and it was embarrassing that performance against the Broncos.

“It was a really understrength Brisbane side, and it was season defining whether they’d finish in the top eight or not.

“I don’t think they will now, I’m not sure if they were going to anyway. It’s a big couple of weeks for the Dragons.

“Anthony Griffin isn’t out of the woods, but there’s no desire to move him on just yet.”

The 11th-placed Dragons host the Sea Eagles at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium on Friday evening.