St George Illawarra are closing in on appointing their next full-time coach following a final round of interviews that included interim coach Dean Young and fellow 2010 premiership winner Ben Hornby.
The Dragons’ extensive recruitment process to appoint their next coach is nearing completion almost three months after Shane Flanagan was sacked in mid-April. Candidates are expected to be presented to the Dragons board at their next scheduled meeting next Monday.
Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity to speak freely said Young and Hornby had both been interviewed by a committee, led by Dragons CEO Tim Watsford. The committee has been charged with making a final recommendation to the joint-venture’s board.
In addition to long-time frontrunners Young and Hornby, this masthead understands that at least one other contender was interviewed for the role.
Under St George Illawarra’s constitution, a representative from both of the club’s shareholders must agree on major changes such as a coaching appointment, which means the St George District Rugby League Football Club and Bruce Gordon’s shareholding need to reach an agreement.
The Dragons board may also opt to interview any potential candidate before progressing with contract negotiations and an eventual appointment.
While Young was elevated as Flanagan’s interim replacement when he was sacked leading into the traditional Anzac Day clash against the Roosters, Hornby has emerged as a serious contender given his growing stature as Wayne Bennett’s assistant at South Sydney.
Young secured his second win of the Dragons season with a hard-fought 24-10 victory over Wests Tigers at Kogarah in round 18. The side then had their third and final bye of the season last weekend.
St George Illawarra travel to New Zealand this week for Saturday’s clash with the high-flying Warriors.
Young, 42, has a 2-7 record since taking charge, though the Dragons’ performances have steadily improved following a breakthrough upset of premiers Brisbane in round 13.
Numerous Dragons players, led by co-captains Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook, as well as incoming marquee recruit Scott Drinkwater, have backed Young to be appointed full-time.
He has spoken openly of wanting the Dragons post full-time but has been mindful of tamping down any public push from the St George faction of the club given his father and Dragons great Craig Young holds significant influence on that side of the merger.
Hornby, too, has his supporters at the club and is regarded as an NRL coach-in-waiting. In a 17-game interim stint following Jason Demetriou’s sacking as Souths coach in 2024, Hornby steered the club to a five-game winning streak to avoid the wooden spoon.
He and Young remain great mates from their playing days at St the Dragons, when Hornby captained their 2010 premiership-winning side.
The Dragons’ steady improvement – particularly among young forwards Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart and the Couchman brothers – has provided cause for optimism despite a last-place finish looming this season.
With eight games remaining, St George Illawarra are two wins behind the 16th-placed Titans.
The club’s big-money recruitment drive and significant roster turnover has continued despite the long-term coaching uncertainty, with Keaon Koloamatangi, Drinkwater, Luke Metcalf, Connor Watson and Phillip Sami all signed for next year.
The Dragons have also turned over a large portion of their off-contract players this season. Luciano Leilua (Catalans), Jaydn Su’A (Eels), Damien Cook, Tyrell Sloan and Matt Feagai (Castleford) are all moving on at season’s end.
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Dan Walsh is a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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