How new Dragons coach ‘turned people’s opinions around’
Updated . First published at
NRL great Josh Morris has thrown his support behind former teammate Dean Young after his appointment as St George Illawarra coach for next season.
The club legend has been installed on a two-year deal from 2027, beating out another former Dragons teammate Ben Hornby to lead the joint venture.
Dean Young and Ben Hornby as teammates. Getty
Young took over from Shane Flanagan earlier this year and has overseen plenty of on-field improvement, with a board meeting on Monday sealing his appointment which was described as “unanimous” in the official club announcement.
Speaking on 2GB’s Sports Today on Monday night, local junior Morris backed the club’s decision and explained why Young was the right man for the job.
“I think it’s the right decision,” Morris said.
“You can see the playing group is playing for him, they’re all on the same page and you can see improvements in the players and they’re all kind of speaking the same rhetoric that they are really enjoying his coaching style.
“One thing I know about Youngy is that he cares for that club - as a player he cared and now as a head coach, he only wants to see the red and white succeed.
“I think from the moment he took over the job as interim coach and had his first press conference, the way he spoke and handled himself, I think he would have turned a lot of people’s opinions around and you’ve seen the performances.
“They’ve gotten better and better every week and they should have won on the weekend [against the Warriors] ... they got dudded.”
Young was always seen as the front-runner to earn the job, despite the Red V only winning two games so far this season, with chief executive Tim Watsford and chief operating officer Ben Creagh leading the lengthy interview process.
The playing group had publicly endorsed Young in recent weeks before the final decision was locked in, getting the full support of the split board.
“We said from the outset that we would take the time needed to make the right decision for the club’s future. This has been a structured process, and Dean has emerged as the candidate we believe is best placed to lead the next phase of our football program,” Watsford said on Monday afternoon.
“Dean’s history with the Dragons is well known and respected, but that is not why he has been appointed. This decision is based on the strength of his football plan, his connection with players, his leadership of staff, alignment with our pathways and recruitment strategy, and his understanding of what this club needs.
“We understand our members and supporters want results. So do we.
“Dean recognises the responsibility that comes with this role, and he will be supported by a football structure designed to drive standards, development and performance throughout the program.”
Young has been synonymous with the Dragons for over two decades, playing all of his 209 NRL games for the club, including the side’s 2010 premiership victory, where he embraced his father and St George great Craig in an iconic moment.
The 42-year-old has undergone an extensive coaching apprenticeship with both the Dragons and Cowboys, as well as spending time with NSW and Tonga.
Dean Young will take over as head coach. Getty
The former State of Origin player believes he is ready to lead the Dragons into a new era with an improving roster for 2027 and 2028.
“Leading this great club is a privilege, but I understand that it also comes with responsibility and pressure,” Young said.
“I have experienced success and failure in this game. Those experiences have given me the confidence to lead this club back to where it belongs.
“I want our fans to be proud of our football team. Proud of how hard we compete and how consistent we are. It’s my job to create an environment that delivers these values. We have only just started to see the potential of this team.
“There’s a lot more work to be done.”
Phil Gould echoed those sentiments and said the improvement needed to keep coming despite some green shoots emerging under Young.
Dragons players have improved under Dean Young’s coaching. Getty Images
“It’s nice for Dean Young but it’s nice for the Dragons too, a home-bred talent coaching the side,” Gould said on Nine’s 100% Footy.
“He’s got a great affinity with the junior league down there and he’s done a wonderful job since taking over from Shane Flanagan. They’ve signed a number of key marquee players for next year and I can’t imagine they’ve done that without some sort of knowledge that Dean Young was gonna be in the coaching staff.
“There’s no doubt there has been improvement and every team in the competition will look at games they should have won … the Dragons seem to have more than their share. Their position on the ladder wins-wise belies some of the efforts.
“Naturally there’s gotta be improvement for next year, but with roster changes and a bit of experience for these younger players coming through and a new coach with a bit more stability, it can only move up.”
Young will have a strong squad at his disposal from the outset next year, with the likes of Keaon Koloamatangi, Scott Drinkwater and Luke Metcalf joining a side that already boasts one of the best young forward packs in the competition.
Hamish Stewart, Dylan Egan, Loko Pasifiki Tonga and the Couchman twins have rapidly emerged as future representative players under Young’s guidance.
Hamish Stewart has emerged as a future Dragons captain. NRL Imagery
“Some of the young forwards are really, really good players,” Sharks legend Paul Gallen said on Nine’s 100% Footy while reacting to the news.
“They probably had to come in a little bit early, but with those recruits coming to the club next year and those young forwards, they’ll be a tough team to handle the next couple of years, they’ve got a good roster going forward.”
The last-placed Dragons will take on the Gold Coast Titans in round 21.
