The St George Illawarra Dragons have confirmed several key coaching appointments ahead of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership season.
Ben Woolf and Ryan Carr have been named as Anthony Griffin's assistant coaches ahead of November's pre-season commencement.
Woolf joins the Dragons following a five-year tenure as head coach of HostPlus Cup outfit Tweed Heads Seagulls. Woolf will join the Dragons following the Seagulls' current finals campaign.
Current Parramatta Eels assistant coach Carr has previously worked at the Rabbitohs, Sharks and as head coach of English side Featherstone Rovers. Carr will join the Red V following his Rugby League World Cup commitments with France, where he will act as assistant coach alongside Roosters mentor Trent Robinson.
Current Knock On Effect NSW Cup coach Russ Aitken and Jersey Flegg coach Willie Talau will move into new roles, as Dragons pathway and NRL development coaches.
As part of their roles, Aitken and Talau will act as head coach of the Illawarra Steelers and St George Dragons' SG Ball teams respectively while also having a strong presence across the Dragons' NRL endeavours. Additionally, Talau and Aitken will be co-coaches of the Dragons Academy.
Replacement coaches for KOE Cup and Jersey Flegg will be confirmed at a later date.
Jamie Soward will continue as both the Dragons' NRLW head coach and NRL specialist coach in 2023.
"The opportunity to bring Ryan and Ben to the club is something we are all excited about. Their broad experience across different systems external to the Dragons will only benefit our playing group," Dragons general manager of football Ben Haran said.
"The full-time appointments of Willie and Russ again highlights the Dragons' commitment to its pathways programs but also in the continued strong connection our junior representative programs have to our NRL squad.
"Jamie has demonstrated a real passion and desire for the women's game which has allowed for a much improved NRLW squad over the past two Women's Premiership seasons.
"Overall, we are really pleased by these appointments to the Dragons' coaching personnel."
The performance personnel of the Dragons' football department will be communicated in due course.
