The St George Illawarra Dragons have finalised a new football department structure and announced several personnel appointments ahead of the 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership season.
Joining Anthony Griffin on the Dragons' new-look coaching staff are assistant coaches Peter Gentle and Matthew Elliott.
Current interim Brisbane Broncos coach Peter Gentle joins the club with over 15 years of first grade coaching experience having previously acted as head coach of Hull FC (2012-13) as well as an assistant at the Sharks, Wests Tigers, Parramatta Eels and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Elliott has 16 seasons of head coaching experience alone having last coached the New Zealand Warriors in 2014. His 18 months at the Warriors followed long stints at the Bradford Bulls, Canberra Raiders and Penrith Panthers.
A homecoming of sorts for each new assistant, both Elliott and Gentle previously played first grade for Dragons founding club St George.
Tony Guilfoyle will join the Dragons as physical performance manager having previously filled similar roles at the Panthers and Broncos.
Dan Lawson moves into the medical performance manager role with Elliot Jackson and Cody Parsons also new additions to the club in strength and conditioning and sports science respectively. Physiotherapist Davis Theobald will remain at the club.
Mat Head and Shaun Timmins will oversee the junior representative pathways and recruitment following the introduction of the Dragons Academy. Head and Timmins will also act as pathways coach and pathways performance manager respectively. Ian Millward remains at the club under a new title, NRL recruitment manager.
Ben Haran has formally stepped into the role as general manager of football and will oversee the impending structural and personnel changes.
"Change was inevitable for our football department heading into the 2021 season following the appointment of Anthony Griffin," General Manager of football Ben Haran said.
"We are pleased with the personnel that will join the Dragons in preparation for our 2021 campaign, and how they will connect under the new structure we have put in place.
"Our junior pathways system will see the introduction of the Dragons Academy which is not only crucial for next year but for many years to come.
"We are proud of our track record as far as player development is concerned and the club is extremely excited to see the Dragons Academy evolve.
"In saying all this, I'd like to thank those who will depart the Dragons' football department for their contributions to the Red V and wish them well in their future endeavours."
