2022 was a busy year for the NRL's coaching carousel, with three first-grade mentors out of a job before the end of June.
Trent Barrett, Michael Maguire and Nathan Brown all felt the wrath of undelivered expectations and have paved the way for the next generation, while the Tigers have gone back to a tried-and-trusted method by re-hiring Tim Sheens.
But while brand new coaches and revered figures are likely to be given some time to implement their grand plans, there are a number of coaches at the other end โ feeling the pressure after a disappointing or at least heavily scrutinised 2022 campaign.
3. Anthony Griffin (St George Illawarra)
Griffin was a constant subject of speculation in 2022, and in the immediate aftermath of the last game of the year it looked like the Red V were going to challenge Manly for the most headline-grabbing off-season.
Young players wanted out due to the coach, their best player's future was still undecided and there were multiple reports of disharmony and claims Griffin had lost the dressing room. Add in some strange actions by the likes of Craig Young, the termination of assistant coaching staff and the club's treatment of James Graham and it looked like the epitome of an unstable working environment.
Not even two months later and Griffin deserves acknowledgement. Both of those young players have since reversed their decisions, Ben Hunt has signed on the dotted line and Craig Young is gone. New coaches have been appointed, and a number of players with question marks over their suitability against the club's ambition have been moved on.
The club actually looks like it could make some positive progress this year and challenge for the finals โ but Dragons fans are well-versed in this feeling. By working to resolve issues and create a sense of cautious optimism around the club, Griffin is raising expectations โ which is dangerous given the number of unknowns that still linger over the Red V lineup.
While the departures of Josh McGuire and Andrew McCullough will help to dispel the notion that the team is heavily tied to Griffin's preferences instead of the best available team, it does leave a void in the all-important dummy-half position that needs to be filled by Jacob Liddle or another recruit.
Griffin's tenure has been unusual โ despite winning four more games in 2022 than he did the year before, the club finished just one place higher on the ladder.
If the team can keep progressing, they'll be a genuine chance to grab one of the lower-hanging finals places โ and with an attractive early draw (including the Titans twice in the first five games), there'll be no excuses if they don't.
