Ryan Carr appointed NRL interim coach following first sacking of the season

Ryan Carr will take charge of St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL on an interim basis following the sacking of Anthony Griffin. 

The Dragons currently sit just one place above the bottom on the NRL table, having recorded just two wins in 10 so far this year.

It ends Griffin’s tenure as head coach across two-and-a-half seasons, having finished 10th on the ladder last season.

Griffin, 56, was already much under the microscope and was previously told that he would have to reapply for his job for 2024, with his contract coming to an end at the end of the current season.

A statement released by Dragons CEO Ryan Webb confirmed the news on Tuesday.

“These decisions are never taken lightly and on behalf of the club I want to thank Anthony for all his hard work during his time at the Dragons,” Webb said.

“Unfortunately our performances over the first 10 games of this season have not met the club’s expectations so it was decided he should finish up his duties this week.”

Carr, 34, will assume interim coaching duties, with the side set to face the Sydney Roosters this Friday in the competition.

The Australian coach took charge of Featherstone in the Championship in 2019, guiding the side to the Grand Final before falling short 24-6 against Toronto Wolfpack.

He later returned Down Under to spend three years with Parramatta Eels before joining the Dragons.

Craig Bellamy to coach Storm in 2024

Melbourne Storm have confirmed that veteran coach Craig Bellamy has signed on to continue leading the side through to the end of 2024.

Bellamy, 63, signed a new five-year contract with Storm in 2022 that allows him to decide each year whether he will continue in the head coach role for the following season or transition into a coaching director role.

He has led the side in 532 games to date.

“It took me a little while to make a decision to be honest Six or eight weeks ago I was pretty certain I would be packing things up,” Bellamy said of his decision.

“I spoke to a few people I know who have retired from different jobs and they spoke about the connection they have with people they see at work every day and that sometimes you miss that.

“Munster also came to me a couple of weeks ago and he said the players and leaders were keen for me to stay and thought I still had something to give the group.

“I still enjoy turning up and mixing with the group and staff. Early in your career, it can be a little bit about yourself but now it’s about our group improving as individuals, and if we improve as individuals we will improve as a team.”

Bellamy first took on the senior coaching role with Melbourne in 2003, and is one of only four coaches in premiership history to reach the 500-game mark.

Under Bellamy, Storm have played in 19 finals series, winning the NRL Grand Final on five occasions. The side have also picked up the minor Premiership seven times.

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