'Give him a start': Andrew Johns pleads with Dragons to retain Dean Young as head coach
Andrew Johns has sent a passionate message to Dragons officials, urging them to keep Dean Young as head coach beyond this season.
Young stepped into the unenviable position of interim coach following Shane Flanagan's exit last month, with the side losing all three games under his guidance.
St George Illawarra's losing streak has now extended to 15-straight games dating back to last season, with the latest defeat coming at the hands of the Warriors.
READ MORE: 'Full stop': Chairman's staunch defence of Gould, Ciraldo
READ MORE: World title fight marred by 'one of the worst stoppages ever'
READ MORE: NASCAR champion Busch's cause of death revealed
Dean Young. Getty
Speaking to media post-game, Young urged the fans to keep turning up as the Red V look to rebuild from the ground-up after years of poor performances.
"I know they're in a tough spot and we appreciate all the fans turning up tonight, where we're sitting on the ladder and to have so many of those fans turn up, pay their hard-earned and sit in the pouring rain," the 2010 premiership winner said.
"We appreciate it, we've got a fan day tomorrow and all the boys are going to be thanking everyone that turns up tomorrow ... stay with us, we're building."
Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Johns threw his support behind the Dragons great and believes the influx of top-line players next year should benefit Young in his bid to keep the job.
"St George Illawarra fans and powers that be at the club, do not judge Dean Young on the way they're playing at the moment," he said on Nine's Sunday Footy Show.
"He's inherited a roster that in some positions, just aren't up to it.
"They've gotta give him a start next year. He's got Scott Drinkwater to the club and I've got no doubt he's gone there because Dean Young coached him at the Cowboys.
Scott Drinkwater will join the Dragons next year. Getty
"Luke Metcalf [is coming], there's gonna be a run threat and Keaon [Koloamatangi] is gonna be there with that really young potential forward pack.
"Just give Dean a start next year, he needs to be given a start."
Ben Hornby and Brad Arthur are the other names who have been floated as long-term solutions to the club's coaching situation, with a decision expected soon.
Saturday night's loss highlighted the deficiencies in the Dragons' attack, with the halves pairing of Kyle Flanagan and Daniel Atkinson again failing to fire.
NRL great Luke Lewis described it as 'the worst attack he's ever seen' on ABC Radio, managing just two tries despite having plenty of good-ball opportunities.
Kyle Flanagan reacts during the loss to the Warriors. NRL Images
Johns urged the coaching staff to shake things up in the short-term before the likes of Metcalf and Drinkwater arrive for the 2027 season.
"Their attack last night was just so poor," he said.
"I think they've gotta tweak the structure of how they play and don't just play traditional … they've gotta mix it up and do something. Their attack from first receiver is sideways and there's no run threat at all and the defence doesn't feel any sort of pressure.
"They looked better when they started playing through Luciano Leilua.
"You can't change the personnel right now, you've gotta change the actual structure."
The winless Saints will face reigning premiers Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium next week.
